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What is aircraft trim?
By definition, to “trim” an aircraft is to adjust the aerodynamic forces on the control surfaces so that the aircraft maintains the set attitude without any control input. The most commonly used trim system is the trim tab which can be installed in both fixed or flight adjustable configurations.
What does a trim tab do on an airplane?
The trim tab is used to “trim”, or counteract the aerodynamic force on, the control surface and thus stabilise the aircraft in the axis of rotation associated with the primary control. Trim tabs can be either flight adjustable or fixed.
When was the first non stop flight around the world?
December 23, 1986
Brief Description. On December 23, 1986, Voyager completed the first nonstop, non-refueled flight around the world. Pilots Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager completed the flight in nine days.
What happens to an aircraft when it is trimmed?
If the aircraft is trimmed, the flight controls are in a state where no force needs to be exerted in order to continue straight and level flight. Aerodynamic and gravitational moments about all three axes are nulled out. Changing the trim of the aircraft in pitch could happen in the following ways:
When do you change the trim on a jet?
Many newer aircraft, especially jet aircraft, have electric trim controls. what situations I would use it for or how it’s achieved. The trim is generally adjusted any time the aircraft transitions flight phase (climb to cruise, cruise to decent etc) or when the power setting is changed or periodically in cruise if the CG is greatly effected.
Where are the trim tabs on an airplane?
While most commonly associated with airplanes, trim tabs are used in other applications, including boats. In boats, trim tabs are often found on the lower edges of the motor. Like trim tabs found in airplanes, they allow for pitch control. Forces can act against boats just like they can airplanes.
How does the pilot adjust the trim control?
Instead, the pilot adjusts a longitudinal trim control (often in the form of a wheel) to cancel out control forces for a given airspeed and weight distribution. Typically, when this trim control (wheel or lever) is rotated or moved forward, the nose is held down; conversely, if the trim control is moved back,…