TRIM YOUR SIM: Theory & Practice

A indepth look at the pitch trim system and its use. A discussion of the differences between trim in real airplanes and home simulators. Also, could your trimming difficulties be because of your Yoke or Joystick?

[@raymondjackson6069]

Back in the ole' day's, pilots used to sneer at us simmers for enjoying this hobby so much, with what might be called comic book familiarity for a college level vocation. But a flight simulator programs get more and more sophisticated and real pilots start offering guidance and input, it adds entire new dimensions to this hobby, taking it to unimaginable levels, never considered in the"DOS" days, truly making it "As Real as it Gets!" Loved this lesson, keep it up!

[@SuperBluemoon21]

Wish I had seen this b4 getting the same yoke. It was also driving me crazy. Felt so relieved when I heard expert Russ explanation. I'm also an ex flying [PA30] captain [but a lot less experience than Russ]. Thank you for the great videos. It does help an aged ex--pilot come to terms with a new & exciting hobby. Trying out VR Xplane as well in Quest3. Incredible!

[@scottburrow8293]

Thanks Russ, I’m brand spanking new to this hobby, coming off being a musician/photographer. I’m a database programmer by trade, and I wanted to find something I could learn while being home. Learning to fly is it. Bought a high end pc and now I’m learning the basics. Your channel keeps coming up. I have learned a lot from you, so thank you. I have a quest 2 as well, and have done the Vr piece a couple times. What I realized is that I want to really learn the basics, before I get immersed. The VR will be my reward when I’m educated. The trim has been baffling me, and your lesson helped a great deal. Thank you!

[@drewprof]

Excellent video, I love the mixing of VR and physical equipment that you have done.

[@sluxi]

Thanks this was a really good video, explained trim in more detail and way better than anything else that I've seen both in theory and practice. Also really appreciated the parts about how it differs in a sim and what you should look for in a sim yoke.

[@rickestabrook4987]

Thanks Russ. Good advice all around, including the yoke discussion. I tried the "springs to rubber bands" alteration to my Saitek yoke, including the hardware fix - no good. I love my Honeycomb yoke. Keep 'em coming.

[@chrisjosephs3413]

Hi Russ, nicely done on a area of flight control that is seldom mentioned.was a good refresher for me as a pilot with many many hours, as to what we are trying to achieve and using real world experience in a virtual platform, thanks

[@kennethkeyes5198]

Excellent instructional video. Thank you! I learn a little more each day and your videos are a BIG help.

[@davidedel31]

Hi Russ, want to thank you for this video, brought back my training days. My instructor instilled in me that once at altitude you trimmed until plane stayed in level flight and very little throttle adjustment to maintain speed. I also had a Saitek yoke and had same problems with the dead zones, a 1/4 inch movement before yoke would respond. Since watching your video and some others, purchased the Honeycomb yoke and throttle and now landing are smoother and have better control. Did consider the Yoko, but price kinda put a damper on that.

[@markgriffin2285]

Thanks for the illustration with the trim wheel. Just a beginner here, so I will have to try this.

[@stricklandgarageaviation2864]

Good instructual approach to trimming. After also flying in the military and airlines we sometimes forget the importance of trimming, especially when teaching a new pilot. Good trimming is extremely important in instrument flying. I have had pretty good luck with Honeycomb's yoke and throttle set up.

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

You are right about VR, the first time I put on a VR headset I was BLOWN away. That said in Microsoft Flight Simulator I only VR maybe 5% of the time because even with a Ryzen 5800X, 48 Gig of ram and a Geforce 3060TI the frame rate issues and having to lower settings to get an acceptable framerate outweigh any advantages. I have a 49 inch curved 32x9 aspect ration monitor and the clarity and smooth experience is slightly preferable compared to VR, not to mention I have a yoke, switch panel, multi panel and radio stack and they are very hard to use in VR.

[@pappybo49]

Very good 👍 instruction, Russ. You are very correct about the need for proper trim and for something so simple to learn, it seems to take some of us forever to learn. Everyone wants to over control the airplane. Small inputs were the key for me. I really like your videos and appreciate your format. I just received an early Christmas present 🎁 in the form of an Oculus Quest 2. I haven’t figured out how to use it with X-Plane yet, so if you have any videos on the subject or if you plan to make any, I would love to watch and learn from them. Thanks as always.

[@megacode2]

Excellent format! Thanks Russ.

[@neverclevernorwitty7821]

Great video! I am lapsed private pilot (kids and family life has taken over), and I just am just tiptoeing back into aviation. After hanging up the David Clarks, I always said to myself that if I ever got back into the cockpit, I didn't want to compromise on the plane to fit the mission (an engine failure during training really shaped my perspective). So right now, funds constrain any serious consideration to actually getting back into the air. Simming though is a different value proposition, so I decided to buy FS2020 with a gift card and just trying things out. Flying Diamonds with an old HOTAS has been terrible, so I am naturally thinking about different peripherals. This was a fantastic discussion, thanks!

[@elj320]

Awesome videos!

[@skinnyTheCat]

Thanks Russ for another great and interesting video! :).

[@donc9751]

Excellent video Russ very well done! I hope you'll be having more! I'm a VR sim flyer using the Honeycomb Alpha yoke and Bravo throttle and love them. Prior to that I only flew with the CH Fighterstick as mainly I flew il2 Sturmovik ww2 combat sim but when I got into msfs I went up. I flew xp11 quite a bit at 1st but I've been flying Sims since my old Amiga500 had Fighter duel. Back almost to the Pong days! Can't wait to see more of your content!

[@tombarefoot6109]

Great Presentation, Russ

[@Backsplash67]

Great video. Wish I had seen it two years ago. Just this year I ponied up for the Honeycomb bravo throttle because it includes a trim wheel.