Hi everyone,
I just share my personal opinion about that recurring topic : Trim. Yesterday I performed numerous flight tests to explore the trim behavior, especially during approach phase with landing configuration. Infact I was amazed by the encountered struggle to stabilize that aircraft once gear extended and flaps full at approache speed. I know many simmers already reported that issue, some replied it's normal stuff and the only way to handle this is practice and practise…
I'm curious to have the official return from ED about that, is Trim and auto-trim functions still worked out for a next release or is it final in the early access ?
My pleasure to fly the Hornet, amazing product by the way, is killed by the final phase of the flight. Just for information towards those talking about the auto-trim function, for sure it's working permantly in this FBW aircraft, either flying manually or autopilot engaged. Just display the FCS page on any DDI and check out visually auto-trim interaction flying manually the bird in landing configuration.
I was fortunate to experience the actual simulator long time ago, being a french contributor for a magazine dedicated to flight simulation, and it was perfectly stable in downwing when extending gear and flaps. I mean the pitch down couple was perfectly manageable unlike the flight model in DCS. And you will notice, extension of the flaps full before the gear will change the aerodynamical behavior and make things easier for those struggling to to stay level.
For information the VRS F18 behavior in landing configuration is way better. That software editor is licensed to deliver the professionnal flight model for a PC based "study level" training solution.
I've been flying for 30 years, currently Airbus 320 Captain, a Fly By Wire aircraft fully auto-trimmed from the F18 generation. By definition, the FBW, especially for a fighter, makes an "unstable aircraft" stable for the pilot.
By the way to close any debate about trim usage, the aircraft must trimmed everytime the speed is changing. So for a given speed and configuration, there is one trim position. Then after do not touch it again otherwise you'll have to fight permanently against the odds to stabilise the bird on its trajectory.
As a rule of thumb, in my opinion and from what I observed : in downwind, extend the flaps first and maintain the Velocity vector on the horizon, adjusting thrust accordingly. Then lower the gear, adjusting again the thrust. Observe the auto-trim interaction. keep in mind the parameters for the next time you fly :
Thrust N1 : roughly 94%
Elevator Trim : around 9
That's all folks
Happy flights :thumbup: