Correct rudder trim settings after takeoff...

[Anatoli-Kagari9]

Should rudder trim be left at 6º right after takeoff (?) I believe the trims should revert back to neutral after takeoff and initial climb (when we level off), and be used from there on as needed, to compensate for fuel imbalance, reduction of throttle causing "negative torque = bank to the right" due to airflow airflow acting on the prop, etc...

 

So - should rudder trim be left at 6º right after takeoff?

[PeterP]

Rudder trim should be set that you have no side-slip while holding a steady flight-path.

There is no universal 'right' setting - you have to constantly readjust the rudder-trim..

 

Means:

When you have set your Power and flight path as desired, have a close look at your side-slip indicator and use the rudder trim to centre the ball.

 

IMHO : Rudder-tim is the most used input besides your primary flight controls (engine/stick/rudder) during a flight.

[VH-Rock]

PeterP is exactly correct. 6 degrees right on take-off. When you're in the air, trim the rudder to fly straight at your average speed. Meaning if you're cruising, trim it to fly straight at cruise power. If you power up and go to max constant, retrim to keep the ball centred. Obviously, if you're maneuvering a lot, the ball may be a little out as the speed changes.

[Yo-Yo]

Should rudder trim be left at 6º right after takeoff (?) I believe the trims should revert back to neutral after takeoff and initial climb (when we level off), and be used from there on as needed, to compensate for fuel imbalance, reduction of throttle causing "negative torque = bank to the right" due to airflow airflow acting on the prop, etc...

 

So - should rudder trim be left at 6º right after takeoff?

 

The typical setting is about 6-7 deg right at 130-140 and to 2 deg left as the IAS increases to 270-300 mph and moree. It's for TO power. For lower power settings you can achieve 2 deg left at lower IAS. That's right for real P-51 ans DCS as well.

[Anatoli-Kagari9]

The typical setting is about 6-7 deg right at 130-140 and to 2 deg left as the IAS increases to 270-300 mph and moree. It's for TO power. For lower power settings you can achieve 2 deg left at lower IAS. That's right for real P-51 ans DCS as well.

 

;-) and that's what I end up using - just needed to confirm that it is correct :-)

Thx!

 

BTW, can you give us a good explanation of why a prop aircraft, namely one with a CS-prop (but not necessarily only for those... fixed props do it as well) can start banking right when power is reduced, say, for descent?

 

Other than the fact that most aircraft are built with trim tabs set for cruise, or engine cant, so that they compensate for torque and slipstream effects at cruise, there are still other reasons - and assuming no fuel imbalance exists... - for that right banking tendency on a CW rotating prop as throttle is reduced... Even if there is no engine cant, different wing root indence, trim tab for cruise, the airplane will still bank right/drift right when power is reduced... the reason being...(?)

Edited December 19, 2012 by jcomm