Do I need aileron trim?

[sglynn]

Do I need aileron trim on a 7A? I will be installing auto pilot servo. My experience with roll trim is in my cherokee which has a rudder trim or you adjust a flap. It doesn't have any aileron trim.

How does the manual spring system work from Van's for aileron trim? Seems to me you have to put the stick where it needs to be for straight and level flight, and if stick isn't centered you make adjustments on ailerons and flaps. So what does the spring aileron trim system do?

Is the spring trim system compatible with an auto pilot servo on the aileron?

I pick up fuselage kit this weekend and need to decide if I should pick up the aileron trim kit also.

thanks

[PCHunt]

The manual aileron trim is such a simple system, and it works so well, that IMHO it would be a mistake to not install it.

No matter how well-built your plane, you will always have one heavy wing due to fuel burn, and the trim keeps you from having to hold a wing up. (Or down ) And you won't be flying all the time with the autopilot on.

$0.02 - Ca-Ching!

[Bob Axsom]

I installed the simple spring system on my RV-6A when I built the plane and it works well. After flying for over a year I installed a Tru Trak autopilot and there is no interference. I NEVER use it. I wish I had rudder trim and some day I will.

Bob Axsom

[hevansrv7a]

Originally Posted by Bob Axsom

I installed the simple spring system on my RV-6A when I built the plane and it works well. After flying for over a year I installed a Tru Trak autopilot and there is no interference. I NEVER use it. I wish I had rudder trim and some day I will.

Bob Axsom

I never even adjusted it to have the tension it needs. I never use it. Waste of effort in my case ,too.

[andrew phillips]

I use it. No problem with my Trio auto pilot. I have a slightly heavy wing and the trim easily compensates for that.

[Caveman]

Originally Posted by sglynn

How does the manual spring system work from Van's for aileron trim? Seems to me you have to put the stick where it needs to be for straight and level flight, and if stick isn't centered you make adjustments on ailerons and flaps. So what does the spring aileron trim system do?

Is the spring trim system compatible with an auto pilot servo on the aileron?
thanks

It consists of a delrin block, springs and lever assembly. It is easy to install and the tension on the springs and drag on the lever's shaft is adjustable. It works fine. Is it necessary... I personally don't think so if you have an A/P. I do use it when I'm flying alone to help balance the fuel load, but the auto pilot would likely handle it just fine. It is likely one of those personal taste things. I don't know if I'd re-install it if I had it to do over again or not. It does come in handy for those flights where you just want to go up and cruise around and have fun without really going anywhere in particular and want to just hand fly the airplane.

[Rick6a]

My -6A is fitted with electric aileron trim and does not have an autopilot. Even if it had an autopilot, it would be used only a percentage of the time. Unlike the experience of some other builders, I very much prefer and use roll trim quite frequently. I like to fly with the joystick oriented perfectly upright at all times. I have found that as little as four gallons fuel imbalance or a passenger will cause the stick to otherwise favor one side or the other. With a flick of the "China Hat" atop the joystick grip, problem solved. Sure, roll trim (or rudder trim for that matter) is not strictly necessary for safe flight but then, neither are air vents. The question we must ask ourselves is "What price convenience?"

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by Rick6a

My -6A is fitted with electric aileron trim and does not have an autopilot. Even if it had an autopilot, it would be used only a percentage of the time. Unlike the experience of some other builders, I very much prefer and use roll trim quite frequently. I like to fly with the joystick oriented perfectly upright at all times. I have found that as little as four gallons fuel imbalance or a passenger will cause the stick to otherwise favor one side or the other. With a flick of the "China Hat" atop the joystick grip, problem solved. Sure, roll trim (or rudder trim for that matter) is not strictly necessary for safe flight but then, neither are air vents. The question we must ask ourselves is "What price convenience?"

Rick----------- I agree!

My 6A is equipped with the servo controlled model in the aileron, that was used more often on older models. I'd even prefer it over bias spring setups. But the point is; I like a perfectly trimmed airplane -------without an auto-pilot constantly compensating by putting slight pressures on it's servo motor.
Even with auto-pilots', I'll often turn them off, to make sure the plane is still in trim. And yes, for my small tail 6A, I wouldn't mind a rudder trim too!

I don't believe it's the auto-pilot's place to compensate for an out of trim aircraft --------- because it shouldn't have too. The flying surfaces should remain in trim on their own --- period! I also have the trim buttons on my joystick hat switch. Very convenient.


L.Adamson --- RV6A

[JonJay]

Originally Posted by L.Adamson

Rick----------- I agree!

I don't believe it's the auto-pilot's place to compensate for an out of trim aircraft --------- because it shouldn't have too. The flying surfaces should remain in trim on their own --- period!
L.Adamson --- RV6A

I agree that you should trim your airplane before activating your autopilot, but my AutoPilot does not know the difference. I asked it and it told me that it did not care...
(autopilots dont know what position your control surfaces are)
When I set my autopilot, I set and forget. I dont shut it off mid trip and retrim. Maybe I should.

[Ron Lee]

Install the trim...manual or electric.