Can you explain trims to (virtual) WWI pilots ?

[J2_Trupobaw]

Since most of my simming experience is with Rise of Flight, I have almost to no experience with using trims; instead I have plenty of experience in pushing stick harder . I Imagine I'm not only one in this situation. Now that the trims are finally upon us, could people with more IL2 / CloD experience explain what they really do and when and where do I want to use them? In particular:

- Do trims change "neutral" position of control surfaces or balance of plane itself? Or does it depend on the plane type? If they only affect control surfaces, can I use trim to get effects that are impossible without it (push surfaces or plane beyond what stick alone could do), or they just make the same effect more comfortable / faster by requiring less pressure on the stick? 

- Besides setting plane for straight and level flight to get more precise controls, are there any maneuvers that are routinely done with trims? Dives, landings, takeoffs, strafing are there "routine" uses of trims in these situations? I'm not asking about setting trim to get hands off climb for convenience, more of things that give (or take away) edge in combat. Or is "centering" plane main function here?

-Anything else important about trimming I didn't even know to ask?

Edited May 9, 2014 by Trupobaw

[peregrine7]

As far as I know trims will just be for centering control surfaces so you don't have to hold the stick at all sorts of angles to keep the plane level. It works with a tiny little tab on the edge of the control surface that is physical moved up and down, imagine the elevator having it's own tiny little elevator for example. This is operated physically (not using hydraulics) and moves the opposite way to the elevator, for example normally to pitch nose down you'd move the yoke forwards, moving the elevator downwards, pushing air downwards off the tail and pushing the tail itself up. If you were to trim the plane nose down the trim tab will actually act, as I said, like a tiny elevator on the elevator, but it will in this case flick up a little and be held in that position, that will push air upwards off the elevator, pushing the elevator down, making the plane nose down. So because the trim tab is stuck in this position it's equivalent to holding the elevator down slightly. It won't extend the maximum travel of any control surface afaik. 

 

One very useful function in combat is that if you lose hydraulic pressure, and therefore lose control of elevators/ailerons etc, then you can use the trim tab to move the control surfaces, provided the trim wires aren't damaged.  

 

The 109 has an additional form of trim, mostly because it's such a tiny little light airplane with a wing very far forward (making it quite agile) which means that the plane's centered attitude varies HUGELY at different speeds. This form of trim on the 109 is that the whole tailplane, including elevator, horizontal stabilizer, the whole shebang, can be angled up and down without the need for trimming. Unlike trim this WILL increase the effective range of the elevator, as it changes the base angle of the elevator. However it's probably too slow to use in combat (just like 109 flaps in combat, not fast enough). 

[JG4_Greif]

If you have the SE5a or the Airco DH4 in Rise of Flight,  you can set the controls for trim and try it out 

[VR-DriftaholiC]

I hope they modeled force feedback to move the no force zone when adjusting trim rather then leaving it in the center and the planes attitude changing.

[Matt]

If you have the SE5a or the Airco DH4 in Rise of Flight,  you can set the controls for trim and try it out 

Those two planes have an adjustable stabilizer (like the 109 and 190). They don't have trim tabs.

 

 

I hope they modeled force feedback to move the no force zone when adjusting trim rather then leaving it in the center and the planes attitude changing.

That would be good. I think DCS has that, not sure if BoS has it, because i have not tested the recent update with FFB yet, but assuming to your post, it's not modelled in BoS (yet) i guess.

[II./JG53Lutzow_z06z33]

How did you get the trim working? no matter what key or button I set the elevator trim on it does nothing

[LukeFF]

How did you get the trim working? no matter what key or button I set the elevator trim on it does nothing

 

Not all planes have elevator trim.

[Descolada]

Is rudder trim in yet or does the 109 not have it? I can't seem to get it to work.

 

edit: nvm reset my controls

Edited May 10, 2014 by Descolada

[AndyJWest]

BF 109's didn't have rudder trim.