TX Slider style trims are important
 

Just a reminder. . . .

If you use a older radio with slider type trims, it's easy to accidentally move those sliders out of position between flights when handling your radio. Check them before each flight.

Earlier this week, I witnessed a near catastrophe. As a plane was brought to the flight line, on it's 3rd or 4th successive flight, the controls were all wagged, and the correct movement of all control surfaces was observed by the pilot. I was holding the plane for the throttle run up. As soon as the plane left the ground, it started rolling and looping. Fortunately, the very experienced instructor was able to save it. One of the trim sliders was inadvertently moved all the way to one side. He was able to keep the plane in the air long enough to get control and adjust the trim.

I know I don’t always check the trims as closely as I should, especially when working with a buddy box because the radios are handled by more than one person. I’m amazed I didn’t notice that one control surface was not symmetrical as the controls were wagged, but my eyes were on the pilot, so I would know what he wanted me to do. They will be on the plane when I am doing this in the future.

We all get comfortable with processes we do all the time. Stay vigilant. One day, it may save a plane.

Jack

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

To us "Old Timers" having your trims knocked out of whack is a routine that you get used to :D

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

Here's a tip that will help for situations like this on older radios. When you get your plane trimmed out spend some times to mechanically center the controls. What I mean by this is to adjust the mechanical throw on the plane so that the trim tabs on the radio are centered when the plane is trimmed. This way you can see immediately if a trim tab is moved, and you know where to return the trim tab to. Simply replace it to the center position.

Ken

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

Ken,

I've done that, but I need to remember to check them too. It's not automatic for me yet. Perhaps a written checklist is in order.

Minn - I'm sure of that, but us Newbies need reminders.

Jack

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

Yeah, but if the trim was always correct where would the excitement come from? [X(]

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

Jack,
That is part of my checklist I do when I am taxing out to the runway. Every flight I do a quick check of the control throws on the plane and glance at the radio to see if my trims are centered. Although, I have been getting a bit out of the habit of checking the trims as I don't use my older radios with the slider trims on them much anymore.

Ken

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

On a radio with analog trims, I use a pencil or marker to mark where the analog trims should be on the radio.

This is just another reason to get a computer radio with digital trims.

On a side note: The new Spektrum DX5e radio is a single model "analog" type radio, but it has digital trims.

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

Personally, as much as I like computer radios, I still hate digital trims.

If I take off and find that the plane is way out of trim, I like to be able to give a quick flip of the trim lever. That silly "beep beep beep beep" of the digital trims takes forever if you need a lot of correction - keeping in mind that you need to be flying "Hands Off" while you're beeping that damned thing!

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

I use my left thumb to adjust the trims, so I never have to take my right thumb off of the elevator/aileron stick. Since the left stick is throttle/rudder (for mode 2 here in the US), and very little trim is usually required for those controls, taking my thumb off of the left stick for a few seconds adjust trims has never been a problem for me.

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

Got to say that I would agree with you here Mike. Really, the only thing I do like about digital trims is that they are stored in a computer radio when you switch from plane to plane. Other than that I'm with you Mike, I like the old sliders.

Ken

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

The problem is, I don't use a strap and I hold the Tx with my left hand. So taking my left hand off is not an option. Even if I did, I would only have my right hand for holding the Tx, and again, I'd be flying Hands Off

And yes, I agree with you on the one Ken.

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

I don't use a strap either, I just reach my thumb over to adjust the trims while holding onto the radio. I guess you've either got a wider radio than mine or you have smaller hands. :) ;)

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

I wish the newer computer radios with digital trims would leave the throttle trim in the old manual setup. I much prefer setting the throttle up with the trim down for off and up for idle. I think they over thinked that one and made it harder. At least Futaba has a trottle cut button, JR and Spektrum have a silly system to do the same thing.

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

Not all Futaba's have the throttle cut. My 9C doesn't. You have to program it into one of the switchs. I like my Airtronics radios as they have a dedicated throttle cut button. But I agree with you on the digital trims for the throttle. I wish they would leave that as a slider. that way it's a lot easier to use the slider for a high idle when I need it. With a digital trim it's beep-beep-beep-beep-beep-beep-beep-beep to a high idle and beep-beep-beep-beep-beep-beep-beep-beep back when you are done!!!

Ken

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

The Spektrum DX7 still has the trim control the throttle kill. They have what they call "throttle recovery". You trim it to idle, then to kill it you press & hold the throttle trim down. After the engine dies, one click up on the throttle trim jumps right to where you had it trimmed for idle.

Personally, I prefer a throttle kill switch, like most other computer radios.

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

My 9C has the Throttle-Cut function, and you can assign it to whichever switch you want. I use it for all of my planes & helis. See page 34 of the manual below:

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

Yes, I know it's got the function. But you have to set the switch that it goes on. The Airtronics have a dedicated button for throttle cut.

ken

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

I saw a 1/4 scale Cub go in and trash the 120 Gemini on the nose over a deal like this. He was a man of many years and was a little confused at times. After running and tuning the motor on the Cub he pulled down the throttle trim all the back. When the engine did not die he assumed his linkage was off and decided he might as well fly. So he taxis out and opens it up. It rolls 20' leaves the ground and goes vertical. The 120 Gemini uses an open fuel system. So after climbing straight up 100' or so it dies. Well here it comes straight back down. A better pilot might have saved it or even pushed it over before it died. It happened to fast for him and it went almost straight in. Totaled the plane and broke the crankcase on the engine. Turnes out he had pulled the ELEV trim all the way back not the throttle. He learned a hard lesson along with the rest of us out that day.
Since yesterday was Vets day I want to say I miss you buddy. Hope that big flying field in the sky is calm and sunny.

David

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

This happened to me just this last weekend. I was flying a plane that required a little down elevator trim. Being used to the digital trims, I pushed the trim down once expecting to hear the famous BEEP...............but, I had forgotten that I was using an older radio with slider trims. You guessed it, I pushed the trim all the way down (probably 5 clicks) before I realized what had happened. I recovered and got the airplane trimed out eventually, but it was a bit of a scare. I don't think I impressed the owner of the plane, as I was suppose to be trimming it for him.:D:D

Lm

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

Come on Ken, YOU can pick any switch you want and make it the kill switch for every model. Just a few key strokes and no complaining it sounds like. Can't be on your side for this one.:D

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

No no no,I want it in the same place every time and labeled underneath "Throttle Cut"!!!!! :D:D:D

Ken

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

I'm chucking everything and going back to my Kraft 70 Series

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

If YOU choose the switch it CAN be in the same place every time and I know a guy that can make you a vinyl label for the TX too. He won't even charge you.:D

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

Well, where's the fun in that???? :D

RE: TX Slider style trims are important
 

Hey, I've still got the MRC 5 channel that my dad and I bought in 1980!!!!! ;)

Ken