F-16 Trim

[Mirage2425]

I'm posting this as a question as it appears there as been a lot of discussion on this topic in bug reports (some heated) but unfortunately I still don't have the answer I need. This is related to F-16 trim, specifically when carrying TGP as well as after dropping ordinance. I'll start with the TGP. First, does loading the TGP cause the F-16 to need to be trimmed? It seems to me it would, but I've been told that because it's close to centerline it shouldn't require the aircraft to be trimmed. I'm not sure which is correct so I pose the question to the community. Second, I've been told that the FLCS handles handles trimming out the aircraft, except when you drop ordinance as the F-16 is truly fly by wire. They say ED will release a update in the future to correct the flight model. Based on the information I found in bug reports it doesn't seem to me that ED sees this as a bug. So, the question I have is does the F-16 require trimming like the F/A 18 or does the FLCS take care of it? Finally, if I apply any trim at all it seems I can't get the aircraft back to a trimmed state. For example, if I do one click of left trim and then do one click of right trim the aircraft should again be trimmed out, correct? That doesn't seem to be the case for me. This has made it extremely problematic for me after coming off a target as I've had to trim out the aircraft after dropping ordinance and then once the ordinance is gone I can't get the aircraft trimmed out again. This makes refueling problematic and I end up chasing the tanker all over the map. So, the overall question I have is this a problem with my understanding of the F-16 flight model and how to properly trim it out or is it a bug? Either way, I just want to learn and become a better pilot. If the problem is not related to a bug, how do I properly trim the aircraft? Any input anyone has is greatly appreciated!!!

Edited February 1, 2020 by Mirage2425

[Deano87]

During normal flight the F-16 auto-trims to 1G in PITCH only. It doesn't auto-trim in any way in roll and yaw. When you drop a weapon or load an asymmetric loading you will have to trim in roll and yaw and this is correct to the real aircraft.

 

I would agree that possibly the roll trim is a touch too sensitive as I find it very difficult to null out unwanted roll, but its usually not a huge issue, more of a minor annoyance.

 

As far as how to properly trim the aircraft, I've got used to holding the trim hat in the roll direction I need as soon as I release a weapon, this quickly trims in that direction, I try and stop just before I reach the ideal trim point, this gets me in the ballpark and then from then on I tend to "flick" the trim hat (brush my thumb over it so that it rolls off the far side as quickly as possible) so it makes the smallest possible input, this seems to get me pretty close to where I want to be.

 

I never touch pitch trim while flying the F-16.

Edited February 1, 2020 by Deano87

[Mirage2425]

F-16 Trim

 

Thanks Deano87 I appreciate it! Good information. I'll give your suggestions a try.

[Frederf]

It's a real F-16 technique to apply 50-100% of the expected roll trim required after the upcoming weapon release. That way post release the situation improves or at least doesn't get worse.

 

Every bit hanging on the airplane except dead centerline requires some roll and yaw trim. No, the airplane never trims for you except in the solitary case of the pitch trim reverting to neutral during the takeoff roll. In every other case it's where the pilot leaves it.

 

It's also not a meaningful statement that the F-16 "auto trims" for 1G in pitch because that's not what's happening. In normal FLCS gains the pitch is commanded to 1G +- any trim and the trim is a variance on that 1G. So if the FLCS has to move the tail around to maintain a set load factor that's not auto-trimming, that's just normal operation.

 

As for refueling, you should be able to tank with significantly non-neutral trim (e.g. 2 dots roll, 1 dot pitch down, 1 dot yaw). It might not be super comfortable but if it makes the difference between refueling or being unable to then it's the pilot that needs improvement.

[Cupra]

Always remember that the FLCS changes the kind the auto-trim works in AAR-mode…

[mikez69]

I feel like I saw somewhere that the flight model is due some updates as well. It is a little over-reactive to weapon release.

[Eagle7907]

Yes the trim seems too sensitive. I’m either slightly rolling left or right. I can never null the trim to perfect center. I hope they can fix this.

 

 

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