Flying Basics: Aircraft Trimming | DCS WORLD

[@cmibm6022]

A highly needed tutorial (I guess). One addition to make life easier: If you have an autopilot and want to fly straight and level, you set the autopilot for that - and when you turn off the autopilot, the trim will stay. That can save you the time to fiddle with trim knob. If you have an autopilot that can keep a path, this will do the same. That can be useful on approach.

[@Motorman2112]

Perfect aircraft to demonstrate this. When I first started DCS I mainly flew the Flanker and had such a sore arm from holding the stick forward all the time. :) What's interesting is to take off with asymmetric external tanks in the Harrier, turn on autopilot (AFC) for level flight, then watch the trim adjust itself as the fuel burns down.

[@osakanone]

Very helpful! You're basically becoming "intro to DCS concepts" for a lot of people because you explain these ideas close to perfect. As a game-developer trying to execute some of the finer concepts of flight simulation which aren't summarised by the sheer physics or mechanical engineering, your work helps me understand what's happening quite tremendously. Have you considered teaching or becoming an instructor? It really is your calling.

[@grimreapers]

Thanks Sir. Yes lots of people keep saying I should be an instructor lol

[@JeKramxel]

I've only recently started flying the F-15C, after years and years on the Su-27, and I can really appreciate the difference now, every time I get back on the Flanker. It's crazy how much pilot load it actually means! I now call the Su "The Endless Trimm plane".

[@adamjohnson72]

I've been waiting for this. Thank you

[@Tesshier]

I never thought about the curvature issue (then again I fly linear on the stick only curving the rudders). Good point!

[@sm25550]

I see a lot of people complaining here and in the forum that they can’t trim aircraft in DCS for hands-free flight like in other sims or in real aircraft. The trim resolution is just too crude, and as far as I know, they provide no way to adjust it. For trim button or key taps, you can see the control deflect about a quarter inch. The axis curves have nothing to do with it. However, in the P-51, if I hover the cursor over the trim wheels and roll the mouse wheel one click, they move about 1/2 or 1/3 as far as they do when tapping the trim button or key. The airplane is still impossible to trim hands-free, though. In two or three seconds it’s rolling the other way or climbing or diving. I see no jitter or any other problem with my controls. It seems to be one of those things that isn’t going to get fixed because they don’t think anything is wrong.

[@jimhutcho1083]

Me flying the su-27 with a keyboard and mouse: 👀👀👀

[@mypackmypower1996]

Then we are literally living in a nightmare cause i was never more frustrated in life before even in my exams.

[@itamarshiponi8758]

Same (f18)

[@idontknowyou876]

It's actually OK on keyboard

[@uguraysakn3129]

How fly with mouse ? like FSX ?

[@popoffcity1989]

To each their own but be open minded to investing into at the very least a $40 joystick

[@aitor47]

I just started on DCS World and this the best explanation of what the trim does, without a doubt. Thanks a lot mate

[@NorthernerInSpace]

Really cool explanation, especially when you highlighted the importance with axis curves.

[@lenn55]

Great explanation Cap! Very informative.

[@NeightWolf49]

Great video and phenomenal instruction. You really break it down nicely in easy to understand terminology. You are teaching me how to fly lol

[@danglingdave1787]

All these videos are brilliant cap they've really helped me too learn how to play DCS thankyou very much i also admire just how much skill some of the reapers have to play this sim as good as they do, its a massive learning curve but i love the game and wouldnt of been able to get my head around half this stuff without your help. TOP MAN 👍

[@manu777tube]

Excellent video as usual. It really helps for beginners / intermediates to learn quickly and have answers to a lot of questions. Without it, the game could be a little bit frustrating due to the lack of information by default provided from ED. But with these tutorials the game is more enjoyable and we pay more attention to the great level of details modeled in it

[@Neccronix]

Think of trimming like a mini joystick on top of your joystick - it fine tunes the surfaces of your plane for different flight conditions

[@Marcin79W]

Big thanks for the video mate! I thought I have something wrong with calibration, I didn't know aircraft must be trimmed :)

[@lawrencesmith2369]

Had the same issue

[@kurtb369]

Perfect vid as always Cap !

[@grimreapers]

thx

[@YariRu]

Finally found my tutorial on trimming Thank you

[@Bloodrayne800]

This has helped me immensely

[@Veli3012]

Thanks for this. I haved two issues when trimming, in particular the flanker. First, I can't always trim away the forces. I'm trimming all the way downwards, but I still need to push the stick forward to keep the plane level. Second, sometimes trimming goes automatically all the way to max with just a little push (it must be like flying a 737 max). I just push once on the right keybord key, and I see the trim indicator moving slowly all the way. I can't do nothing until it is at max, even pressing to trim in the other direction does not stop this movement until it has reached max.

[@grimreapers]

1) yup those are the real life limitations :( 2) I've not had this sorry.

[@ronaldwatson1951]

Superior demonstration and review, there's no doubt when the Reapers do warbirds their's some people that fly that don't have a clue about trims.

[@arzhangsadeghi]

Thank you so much for all your time and efforts

[@AnthonyAdrianAcker]

This helped me a lot! My landings are way smoother now.

[@michaelforsythe4335]

Great vid. Explains so many of my newbie difficulties.

[@philk9227]

Very informative video Cap. Thanks

[@zooweemama911]

The Su-27/33/other Su series mods LOVE to pitch up, especially with full AB. Trim is essential

[@steved2623]

A very good explanation, thanks.

[@Mr-P00sh]

Amazing explanation!!! Kudos Sir!

[@snux7364]

Finaly somone explained this so it makes sense

[@kfa.156]

HELP: What is happening is that no matter what input is used for control be it a saitek joystick or the keyboard the elevators stays stuck at a particular deflection and it is impossible to zero them out to neutral in a way that maintains anything remotely resembling normal flight. Any attempts to correct result in extremely violent pilot induced oscillations.

[@crazykiwi1472]

Do not forget that the trim tabs you mentioned in the WW2 planes do not directly affect the trim of the aircraft. What they do is to act as mini controls on their respective main control surfaces e.g. if you trim rudder right on a spitfire the trim tab on the rudder actually pivots to the left, and this forces the whole of the rudder to move right producing the trim needed. So the WW2 trims acts in a somewhat similar way to the modern fighters as it is the actual control surfaces that end up producing the trim, and should also move the related stick/pedals. Only the mechanism to produce this movement is different.

[@grimreapers]

Affirm thanks

[@BorisJohnsonMayor]

I have a Warthog HOTAS, and use the standard trim control on the stick. However when i gently trim nose up and down or nose left and right, it will gradually drift in that direction. To counter i gently trim the opposite direction but still drifts. Is there any way to stop this, as I need to constantly trim...

[@MJR1133]

but how do i view my trim on the hud in the bottom right of the screen like you have it? its driving me insane i cant find out how anywhere online.

[@mcalvera]

Thank you so much for your video, help me a lot

[@Stephengirty]

How do you bring up that control stick input? I would love that so I can get a good feel for trimming.

[@PepperPete11]

RCtrl + Enter excellent visual aid while you are learning.

[@iyhan1987]

What do those turned down Г-symbols on the pitch axe of controls mean ? You can move them by taking control stick backwards, but when release they come back in place

[@otrotland5377]

a lot to learn

[@leightons4500]

Great video, could i possibly do a video explaining the trim in the huey or just helicopters because i just got the huey and have no idea how to trim it and it’s so hard to fly. Either way, Thanks!

[@voradfils]

You need to set up two bindings, Pilot Trimmer and Trimmer Reset. When you press the trimmer it will treat your current stick position as the new neutral position. Once you hit it you need to release the stick immediately. It won't make flying much easier but at least your arms don't die. Most real helicopters don't need trim because the control pressures aren't there. Getting a separate stick for choppers and removing the springs would be an optimal solution.

[@leightons4500]

voradfils Thanks this really help!!

[@slysi5209]

In addition due to the way the trim in helos is generally set like that IE trim and then Trim reset You'll find that you will want to fly you helos with the controls indicator box (RCtrl + Enter) on the screen. Reason being - If you leave the stick centered with forward trim set and just press the trim reset your helos nose will jerk steeply up and could cause a stall or oscillation. So what youll want to do is before you press the trim reset button look at the controls indicator and move your stick n rudders to align your controls to the current trim setting then press the release and youll find releasing from trim much much smoother.

[@shinnister]

holy shit , this is so useful for a newbie like me especially the axis tune. i dont hv no one teaching me playing rl =(

[@mattc5825]

icyprinc3 fo you have discord becasue there is a server i can recommended to you that may hell your situaton

[@orionmec]

I fly drones and curve is very important to our ability to control the drone with a fidelity worth of smooth control. In DCS I cheated and just put my stick in a non-centering mode. Cheated! haha, cheated myself of fine tune control! I get it, Very nice job explaining, especially when it came to landing!!!

[@rekunta]

So adjusting trim is basically compensating for unequal weight distribution on the aircraft that affects the flight control surfaces when they’re exerted upon by aerodynamic forces? So the usage of fuel and munitions will continually necessitate it? Is there a way to “default” trim, if that makes sense?

[@jaxompol224]

can you use trim in ACM if you can see that an enemy has used specific stores to take advantage of the trim imbalance? would only work up close I guess. great vid super cap

[@keilylmm6377]

Great info do you have your adjustments mapped out on your flight control stick or throttle

[@soumitsarangi]

Cap, 1:40 where you get that virtual hand which is holding the joystick

[@grimreapers]

set it in the main options somewhere.

[@savaqe296]

The big circle doesn't seem to follow the smaller trim circle... it's really confusing..

[@Santjo]

how do i know where this trim center is when i fly or try to land etc?

[@lukew3224]

how do you turn on trim indicator

[@jiajianhou426]

for each click of the trim button, does the thing move a certain degree? or, does it depend on how long i hold the button? again, for f18, when landing, how come i feel like the trim would often reset after some point if the trim is not perfect

[@koekiejam18]

No clue, doubt anyone know and im pretty sure there isnt a standard across modules either... just have to use your feel for it

[@старшийсержант-л7ш]

i use trim for very fine inputs or as i like to call " pasenger airliner style movement "

[@hashemalrifai]

How would we play this game without your videos? 👍

[@grimreapers]

Even better?! kidding...

[@mattiavacca2111]

Nice video. How can i activate those trim guides ?

[@megabytes6434]

How do you get the little amber readout for your stick imputs? I can't figure it out for the life of me!

[@_pjd]

Trimming does not seem to work on the FA-18, the smaller circle does not move when using the trim button...

[@Navoii.]

But what about trim reset? I have tried to find this everywhere but cant

[@ryz_vik]

Is it just me because I can’t even set the trims? I just got a new HOTAS, plugged it in, and every normal thing in my SU27 became abnormal, I can’t set the trims, somehow giving me Direct control all the time, all that

[@HomeDefender30]

How do you know where your trim is at without that little ui in the bottom right corner?

[@DrDoomsd]

4:30 you saved me 70$

[@averagedcsenjoyer-d7o]

Wouldnt real fighrer jets have linear sticks? I have been pondering this for almost 2 years please i need an answer

[@donrumsey]

Nice tutorial! Although I am having issues trimming post-bomb release -trimming isn't effective. Ideas?

[@Zagiera]

I have a issue where it never resets to neutral if I pull back and let go it stays there

[@jamez2022]

How did you get that trim GUI at the bottom right of your screen?

[@xaviercatastrophy9059]

Guess playing flight and combat simulators starting in the late '80s made me a natural pilot, learned so many basics from trial and error. Should've kept flying...

[@pupgamin769]

What is that trim icon on the bottom right of the screen I want that to appear on mine

[@CharlesFraser]

how can we turn on that display that visualises the position of the trim please?

[@edwardherbert882]

how do you get that trim diagram in the lower right ? new to all this

[@MLGvlad]

hey man i have just bought a new joystick and It pulls up and right, kinda aggresive aswell. how do you get that trimbar and how do you use it, i really need something to trim the mig-29 with because it pulls so hard. Thanks in advance!

[@omigaikwad5936]

The Trim Switch is not Necessary in a Fight...it's just a Takeoff & Landing thing... So what my question is - Why that switch has to me on the Joystick... instead the Chaff & Flare switch has to be on the Joystick. It's More Important that the Pitch & Roll

[@hardnox11]

How do you get the trim display in the bottom right corner again?

[@kwarcinski87]

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!

[@danielguerrero4121]

NOW I UNDERSTAND

[@JA-ur8ob]

May someone please tell me how to view that trim HUD on the screen? Is there a bind for that? If so, what's the action called?

[@whiskeyactual.]

How do you get the control display shown on the bottom right?

[@grimreapers]

RCtrl+Return

[@grimreapers]

or RAlt

[@whiskeyactual.]

@@grimreapers Thank you, your videos have been essential. I appreciate all the work.

[@Taxpayer_416]

Does anyone know how to bring up that little trim diagram Cap has open on the bottom right of his screen? I cant seem to find that bind. Without that I feel like im chasing the proper trim... thanks!

[@grimreapers]

RCtrl+Enter/Return

[@Taxpayer_416]

@@grimreapers thanks so much!!

[@Ebolson1019]

Found with the f-86 it likes to over correct

[@burtpilon1735]

I know this is an old video but how do you get that trim guide to show up in the bottom right... I'm an FNG... thx .

[@Edzmusik]

for the controls indicator box (RCtrl + Enter) for it to show on the screen. copied from a comment above o7

[@gamer-1100]

Could be at 15 was automatic I was like oh thank God. Although now I wonder if the f-18 f-14 f-16 are also trim automatic hopefully cuz I'm going to be getting them next. while I say that but first i'm going to get a stick and a throttle.

[@koekiejam18]

They dont trim automaticaly however both the f-16 and f-18 have fly by wire so you wont do any manouveres that will kill you (hopefully) but if you fly with 6 bombs on the left wing and nothing in the right you will still definitly notice

[@proto0082]

Is the av8b a heavy trimming a/c?

[@gunsnrosesforever100]

I honestly thought something was wrong with my x56 when I'd accidentally engage and disengage autopilot and couldn't understand why I was nose down

[@hussamisen]

i play vtol and it always perefctly trimmed is there any way i can do that in dcs?

[@3.0_karter]

When I bind a button on my hotas to “Trim Hat” and I dosent wirk

[@Ginuwine-kx2iv]

How do yo get the stick graphics on the screen?

[@AL3X2580]

how did you get that joystick axis diagram on the right?

[@grimreapers]

RCTRL+enter

[@AndrewMassey-me]

How did you get the controls view in the bottom right?

[@grimreapers]

left Ctrl + h or right ctrl + Enter

[@pdubs5381]

How do you see your hands?

[@grimreapers]

RCtrl+P I think...

[@TheDragonfly256]

Can someone explain why when I press a trim button my F 18 it constantly trims in that direction until maximum even when I dont press anything?

[@grimreapers]

Sounds bugged as hell

[@TheDragonfly256]

@@grimreapers It actually was, I reinstalled old firmware to my joystick (I got myself a full Virpil setup) And everything is fine, trim works extremely well after watching your tips, thanks.

[@gabzsy4924]

Wait...you landed and managed to break early at 320 km/h? How? If i do that on my F/A-18 I'll just run the whole ramp and crash on the fence. No breaking power at all.

[@Phagastick]

How does one enable that cross in the bottom right?

[@grimreapers]

LAlt+C

[@Phagastick]

@@grimreapers I meant the thing that shows the stick movement. Lalt C just brings up a mouse crosshair (but thanks, that helped a lot actually)

[@Skyfighter64]

Your explanation about Trim tabs on old school aircraft is actually a bit lacking, Cap. Yes, those small tabs move differently than the actual control surface, but their effect is not different from the use on a hydraulically driven control surface, such as the Su-27 shown here. The small trim tabs induce movement of the larger flight surfaces, allowing an aircraft without hydraulics to settle flight controls for level flight without fatiguing the pilot. I know this since I've been repairing Cessna 152, 172 and Piper PA-34-200 Senecas at a flight school for the last 4 years.

[@grimreapers]

thx

[@iqaf.9450]

Thanks from iraq

[@johngisbourne7197]

We do NOT have to use curves in DCS.

[@старшийсержант-л7ш]

how can i display my trim

[@spacekraken666]

Okay, how do i trim my su-27... W? no... maybe S? *OH SHI~*

[@DavidGPT]

Search for Trim in the controls and then bind Nose Up, Nose Down, Left Wing Down and Right Wing Down. I have them in the hat switch since I got TrackIR

[@jamesohara4295]

Trimput :)

[@weltensegLA]

You forgot to explain what trim is in those 20min, Sir.

[@grimreapers]

erm

[@weltensegLA]

@@grimreapers Just trying to motivate you to elaborate on it in a future video :) I know you have the right intentions on doing these videos. I'm sure your squad mates may have mentioned something similar already.

[@TacticalSandals]

How do you get that little window up ingame that shows controls?

[@grimreapers]

ermm from memry right Ctrl + Enter

[@edwardherbert882]

@@grimreapers love your tutorials man, greatly appreciated