Advanced Trim Chart for Model Aircraft



Print this table and take it the flying field. Mark Y for yes and N for no on the observation. This table should print from any viewer.


TO TEST FOR TEST PROCEDURE OBSERVATIONS CK ADJUSTMENTS
Control Neutrals Fly model straight and level Use transmitter trims to achieve hands-off straight and level flight. Adjust devises to center transmitter trims.
Control Throws Fly model and apply full deflection of each control. Check the response rate for each control. Aileron Hi Rate: 3 rolls in 4 seconds; Low Rate: 3 rolls in 6 seconds. Elevator Hi Rate: for smooth square corner. Low Rate: for loop of approx. 130 ft. dia. Rudder: Hi Rate for stall turns, Low Rate to maintain knife-edge.
Center of Gravity Method 1: Roll into near-vertically banked turn. 1-A. Nose drops. Y_N 1-A. Add tail weight
1-B. Tail drops. Y_N 1-B. Add nose weight.
Method 2: Roll inverted. 2-A: Requires lots of down elevator to maintain level flight. Y_N 2-A. Add tail weight
2-B: Requires no down or model climbs. Y_N 2-B. Add nose weight.
Incidence Method 1: Power-off vertical dive, cross wind (if any). Release controls when model is vertical. 1-A. Model continues straight down. Y_N 1-A. No adjustment.
1-B. Model starts to pull up (to top). Y_N 1-B. Reduce incidence.
1-C. Model starts to tuck under (to bottom) Y_N 1-C. Increase incidence.
Method 2: Remove power and then suddenly apply power. 2-A. Model maintains level flight Y_N 2-A. No adjustment.
2-B. Model tends to climb when power is applied Y_N 2-B. Reduce incidence.
2-C. Model tends to dive when power is applied Y_N 2-C. Increase incidence.
Side Thrust Fly away from yourself into any wind. Pull into vertical climb. Watch for deviations as model slows. A. Model continues straight up. Y_N A. No adjustment.
B. Model veers left. Y_N B. Increase right thrust
C. Model veers right. Y_N C. Decrease right thrust/ add left thrust.
Up/Down Thrust Method 1: Fly into wind, parallel to strip at around 300 feet out. At center. pull into vertical climb and release elevator. 1-A. Model continues straight up. Y_N 1-A. No adjustment.
1-B. Model pitches up (towards top) Y_N 1-B. Increase down thrust.
1-C. Model pitches down (towards bottom) Y_N 1-C. Decrease down thrust.
Method 2: Maintain level flight and suddenly cut power 2-A. Model maintains level glide slope Y_N 2-A. No adjustment.
2-B. Model dives when power is cut Y_N 2-B. Increase down thrust.
2-C. Model climbs when power is cut Y_N 2-C. Decrease down thrust.
Aileron Differential Method 1: Fly towards yourself, pull into vertical climb, neutralize controls then half-roll model. 1-A. No heading change Y_N 1-A. Differential okay.
1-B. Heading changes opposite roll direction (i. e. heading veers to left after right half-roll). Y_N 1-B. Increase differential
1-C. Heading changes in same direction as roll command. Y_N 1-C. Decrease differential.
Method 2: Fly model on normal pass and perform 3 or more rolls 2-A. Roll axis on model centerline. Y_N 2-A. Differential okay.
2-B. Roll axis off to same side of model as roll direction (i.e. right roll, roll axis off right wing tip) Y_N 2-B. Increase differential.
2-C. Roll axis off to opposite side of model as roll command. Y_N 2-C. Decrease differential.
Dihedral Fly knife-edge pass; maintain altitude with top rudder(NOT full rudder unless needed). Perform test in both left and right knife edge flight. A. Model has no rolling tendency in knife-edge flight. Y_N A. Dihedral okay.
B. Model rolls in direction of applied rudder. Y_N B. Decrease dihedral.
C. Rolls in opposite directions (both tests) Y_N C. Increase dihedral.
Elevator Alignment (for models with independent elevator halves) Fly away from yourself wings level, pull into inside loop Roll inverted and repeat as above pushing into outside loop. A No rolling tendency with elevator. Y_N A. Elevator alignment is correct.
B. Model rolls in same direction in both inside and outside loops. Y_N B. Elevator halves not aligned at neutral. Raise one half and/or lower other.
C. Model rolls in opposite direction in inside and outside loops. Y_N C. One elevator half has more throw than the other (Model rolls to the side with more throw). Reduce/Increase throw on one side
Tip Weight (Course adjustment) Fly straight & level upright, check aileron trim for wings-level. Roll inverted, level wings, release aileron A. Wings remain level. Y_N A. No adjustment
B. Left wing drops. Y_N B. Add weight to right tip
C. Right wing drops Y_N C. Add weight to left tip.
Tip Weight (Fine adjustment) Method 1: Fly away from yourself into any wind. Pull into fairly small inside loop. (1 loop only). 1-A. Model exits wings level. Y_N 1-A. No adjustment.
1-B. Model exits w/right wing low. Y_N 1-B. Add weight to left tip/subtract from right.
1-C. Model exits w/left wing low. Y_N 1-C. Add weight to right tip/subtract from left.
Method 2: Fly away from yourself into any wind. Push into fairly small outside loop. (1 loop only). 2-A. Model exits wings level. Y_N 2-A. No adjustment
2-B. Model exits w/right wing low. Y_N 2-B. Add weight to left tip/subtract from right.
2-C. Model exits w/left wing low. Y_N 2-C. Add weight to right tip/subtract from left.


Last Updated: 2-9-96

Our Thanks to Michael Laible