How do I trim the Chinook?

[The Gryphon]

Hi guys!

New CH-47F pilot here  

How do I force trim the Chinook (so it stays in new trim positions)? What is the button called? 

I have found 4 keys that can trim the CH-47F forward, aft, left ,right but not one single button like it use to be on other helicopters.

Anyone knows would be much appreciated! 

 

 

[Marsvinet]

I think it is called CD REL, or something close to it. Should be listed under the same category as the 4-way trim you found.

[The Gryphon]

27 minutes ago, Marsvinet said:

I think it is called CD REL, or something close to it. Should be listed under the same category as the 4-way trim you found.

Okey thanks a lot! I will have a look

28 minutes ago, Marsvinet said:

I think it is called CD REL, or something close to it. Should be listed under the same category as the 4-way trim you found.

How do I use it, should I input movement with joystick and press and hold "CD REL" or do I short press "CD REL"? Or do I press "CD REL" first and then input with joystick movement to trim?

[MAXsenna]

How do I use it, should I input movement with joystick and press and hold "CD REL" or do I short press "CD REL"? Or do I press "CD REL" first and then input with joystick movement to trim?

I prefer to always keep the trim button pressed in any helicopter, (Ka-50 was my first DCS heli), while some prefer to press only after being stable in the new position.
However, I use FFB, so it's a little bit easier to trim a helicopter.

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[The Gryphon]

3 hours ago, MAXsenna said:

I prefer to always keep the trim button pressed in any helicopter, (Ka-50 was my first DCS heli), while some prefer to press only after being stable in the new position.
However, I use FFB, so it's a little bit easier to trim a helicopter.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk
 

Thanks for the advice, I might start with holding the "CD Rel" (trim) aswell, perhaps it works great in the Chinook, I have to do some "trial by error" in this airframe

[MAXsenna]

Thanks for the advice, I might start with holding the "CD Rel" (trim) aswell, perhaps it works great in the Chinook, I have to do some "trial by error" in this airframe

Yeah, trial and error, until you find what suits you best.

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[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

3 hours ago, The Gryphon said:

Thanks for the advice, I might start with holding the "CD Rel" (trim) aswell, perhaps it works great in the Chinook, I have to do some "trial by error" in this airframe

For US-made helicopters it's standard procedure to hold the force trim release (or CD REL in this particular case) until the new position is reached and then let go. For Russian helicopters it is standard procedure to use short-presses to relieve tension while moving the cyclic.
It goes beyond procedure in fact as the actual hardware / flight control system assumes that's how pilots fly the aircraft. In the Apache for example you'll get yourself into a lot of trouble if you don't do it that way. There are quite a few cockpit-view helicopter videos on youtube for example where you can clearly see how the pilots trim (I can recommend Mi-8 and Mi-17 videos on the subject).

I personally prefer the Russian approach: I find it a lot more intuitive and easy to use - but that's just me.

Edited July 4 by Raven (Elysian Angel)
grammar

[The Gryphon]

On 7/4/2025 at 7:23 PM, Raven (Elysian Angel) said:

For US-made helicopters it's standard procedure to hold the force trim release (or CD REL in this particular case) until the new position is reached and then let go. For Russian helicopters it is standard procedure to use short-presses to relieve tension while moving the cyclic.
It goes beyond procedure in fact as the actual hardware / flight control system assumes that's how pilots fly the aircraft. In the Apache for example you'll get yourself into a lot of trouble if you don't do it that way. There are quite a few cockpit-view helicopter videos on youtube for example where you can clearly see how the pilots trim (I can recommend Mi-8 and Mi-17 videos on the subject).

I personally prefer the Russian approach: I find it a lot more intuitive and easy to use - but that's just me.

Thanks buddy for some solid advice, really helpfull information aswell, cheers!

[The Gryphon]

I have tested the "CD Rel" force trim and it works great, I want to thank all members who helped me in this thread! Cheers and a huge tumbs up!

[EricJ]

I just started flying the CH-47 and will have to look at how to use it as I go along. Right now I'm just flying for a little bit, and getting myself to land without breaking it.