Combat Trim - To Use or Not To Use, That is the Question

[Hobo]

So what are the advantages and disadvantages to using Combat Trim?  Is CT like Easy Mode in WB's?  Or is it just what it says...constant trim while in a fight?  

Your input is appreciated.


Thanks!


Bo

[funked]

If you are used to trimming your plane manually, you won't get much benefit from combat trim.  

It's not easy mode, not even close.  All it does is add a pre-programmed amount of trim for a given airspeed.  It doesn't take into account whether you are turning, climbing, diving, what your throttle setting is, etc.

What it does is make the plane flyable without using the manual trims.  You still have to hold the stick and pedals a little to fly straight, but not nearly as much as you have to do with combat trim off.

[Eagler]

Have mine turned off. More hindrance than a help but them I manually trim.
Eagler

[Vermillion]

I use a combination of both. I leave CT turned on for normal flying, but when I enter combat, I usually manually trim depending on the situation.

I don't think it gives anyone an advantage.

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Vermillion
**MOL**, Men of Leisure

[Ghosth]

I don't use it, and don't manually trim that much. But, you'll not find me in the planes that need  constant attention to trim that often.

[Maniac]

"It's not easy mode, not even close."

Hihihihihihi



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AH : Maniac
WB : -nr-1-

[Udie]

also if your in a steep dive w/ CT on you may not be able to pull out.  I had it bite me like that many times before I stopped using it...


udie

[hblair]

I haven't used it yet, I oughta experiment with it though, just haven't gotten around to it. I use manual elevator trims a lot.

[StSanta]

I've found it to be more o a liability than a help

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StSanta
9./JG 54 "Grünherz"

[funked]

Maniac, have you ever flown easy mode in WB?  It's nothing like AH combat trim.  WB easy mode has an AoA limiter and it uses a closed loop control for trim.

Not that I have anything against WB easy mode.  I always thought the whining about it was overmodeled.

[This message has been edited by funked (edited 10-27-2000).]

[fscott]

CT is not realistic. The real pilots didn't have it, so I see no need to even play with it.  If Saburo Sakai was able to attain ace status without it, then surely I could do the same.  

fscott

[Maniac]

Funked,

So CT aint easy mode because its not the same as the WB easy mode?

It helps people fly the AC, i consider that an easy mode.

Regards

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AH : Maniac
WB : -nr-1-

[popeye]

Tried CT for a couple of weeks when it was first introduced, then turned it off and went back to manual trims.

YMMV....

[Udie]

 

Originally posted by Maniac:
Funked,

So CT aint easy mode because its not the same as the WB easy mode?

It helps people fly the AC, i consider that an easy mode.

Regards

 That's just it Maniac, it doesn't help fly the plane.  I used it for a month and it got me killed more than anything else. It trims the elevator down to keep level flight, which kills your initial turn rate or keeps you pointed at the ground and makes you auger.  The only thing I noticed that it "helped" was flying level but it never even got the plane to fly "level" there's always a bit of roll.

 It doesn't stop you from stalling or spinning. So to me it's not easymode. I used it for about a month when I had the stick spiking problems it helped me some then, but when I got the new HOTAS it did more harm than good.

udie

[Fury]

"easymode" ..... people shudder at that word for some reason.

I don't use CT.  No particular reason why.  It was on by default when it first came out; I turned it off.  Didn't notice any difference.  I don't trim my plane either.  I probably should learn how to do that someday.  I guess I'm just an average Joe who likes to fly an have fun.

I don't use padlock either.  Now *there's* another word that can make people shudder.

I *do* use dive brakes on the P38.  Can't fly without 'em.

Fury