IL2 Birds of Prey: Hints, Tips, and FAQ's Thread

[H Lecter]

Originally Posted by David603

I don't think you have to change trim every time you change direction, it is more a case of using the trim to allow you to fly straight and level without control input. So it isn't really much use in dogfighting, where you are constantly changing speed and direction, but if you are cruising then it means you don't have to be moving the controls all the time to stay on course.

I don't use it during dogfights - too busy for that

But what I mean is e.g. at the end of the Dover mission. I head for the airfield and correct the trim (which is a nightmare with the deadzone). Then I circle around to get the right approach and when I'm lined up with the airfield it appears to me as if the plane is out of trim (if this is the correct term, I'm not a native speaker).

[David603]

Originally Posted by H Lecter

I don't use it during dogfights - too busy for that

But what I mean is e.g. at the end of the Dover mission. I head for the airfield and correct the trim (which is a nightmare with the deadzone). Then I circle around to get the right approach and when I'm lined up with the airfield it appears to me as if the plane is out of trim (if this is the correct term, I'm not a native speaker).

You speak very good English, I didn't realise it was not your native language.

Back to the subject of trim, lowering the flaps and undercarraige will have a major effect on the planes trim, and so will slowing down as you approach the runway itself. Therefore trimming is not really effective when landing, and you will need to be making constant adjustments to the controls as you come in to land.

[H Lecter]

Originally Posted by David603

You speak very good English, I didn't realise it was not your native language.

Back to the subject of trim, lowering the flaps and undercarraige will have a major effect on the planes trim, and so will slowing down as you approach the runway itself. Therefore trimming is not really effective when landing, and you will need to be making constant adjustments to the controls as you come in to land.

Thanks for both - the compliment and the advice!

[David603]

Just to list a couple of things that affect changing trim as you land,

Speed: As you slow down, the planes trim shifts forward, making the plane nose heavy.

Power: The prop on a Merlin powered plane such as the Mustang or Spitfire rotates to the right, which makes the plane rotate slightly to the left. As you throttle down the amount of rotation to the left reduces, so if the plane is trimmed to fly straight at full throttle it will start rotating right as the power is reduced.

Flaps: The flaps increase the amount of lift generated by the main wings, pushing the nose up.

Undercarriage: When the undercarriage is lowered the drag generated in its position pulls the nose down. The effects from the flaps and undercarriage will largely but not completely cancel each other out.

As you can see, setting up the planes trim before starting your landing approach isn't much good

[H Lecter]

Originally Posted by David603

As you can see, setting up the planes trim before starting your landing approach isn't much good

During most of my landings I wouldn't have time to readjust the trim after lowering the gears which is about 10 seconds before touchdown or shiny explosion. I'm still proud each time I bring her down in one piece and manage to stop on the airfield (wish we had a brake button on the AV8R...)

[David603]

Originally Posted by H Lecter

During most of my landings I wouldn't have time to readjust the trim after lowering the gears which is about 10 seconds before touchdown or shiny explosion. I'm still proud each time I bring her down in one piece and manage to stop on the airfield (wish we had a brake button on the AV8R...)

I put the gear down as I start to line up the runway, and I try to touch down at the end of the runway instead of further down, coming in a slow as the plane can possibly stay in the air. Sometimes slower.........

[SleepTrgt]

My problem with trim is: once i use it, my plane doesent feel ballanced anymore, cant seem to get it right
Is there a way to reset the trim? it is really confusing me.

[Omykron]

The following tips are from my experience of private pilot in real world, and you can expect to use then in IL-2 game:

Originally Posted by David603

Just to list a couple of things that affect changing trim as you land,

Speed: As you slow down, the planes trim shifts forward, making the plane nose heavy.

the total trim amount necessary to keep a straight flight reduces as the speed increases.

Originally Posted by David603

Power: The prop on a Merlin powered plane such as the Mustang or Spitfire rotates to the right, which makes the plane rotate slightly to the left. As you throttle down the amount of rotation to the left reduces, so if the plane is trimmed to fly straight at full throttle it will start rotating right as the power is reduced.

the prop blade descending generates more thrust than the prop blade that is climbing. If your propeller has a clockwise rotation (inside the cockpit, behind the propeller), the torque effect of the blade will generate more lift in the right side of the propeller, generating a yaw momentum to the left.

In take-off and landing procedures, don't focus too much in trimming (only use it to keep the climb attitude and the cruise attitude). In descend for land, try to keep constant speed and vertical path to not come too hot (high speed) and too high in the approach. If you are too hot and too high, go around and proceed to another approach.

[Wehrwulf]

Sorry I'm a little slow, but back to trimming on the aviator, (I'm aware of the post that says forget trim with a stick, but I would like to know if it's possible) the A button seems to be the trigger, and I can't be sure if it's helping at all because I am away from home.(and my xbox) So what I'm getting out of the other explanations is you level the plane and then click the A button to trim. Makes sense, but again, the A button on the aviator is the trigger. So is that correct? Thanks in adavance.
P.S. Anyone have any tips/mods for fixing the deadzone on the throttle?(any more than 3/4 forward on the throttle is WEP)

[H Lecter]

Originally Posted by Wehrwulf

Sorry I'm a little slow, but back to trimming on the aviator, (I'm aware of the post that says forget trim with a stick, but I would like to know if it's possible) the A button seems to be the trigger, and I can't be sure if it's helping at all because I am away from home.(and my xbox) So what I'm getting out of the other explanations is you level the plane and then click the A button to trim. Makes sense, but again, the A button on the aviator is the trigger. So is that correct? Thanks in adavance.
P.S. Anyone have any tips/mods for fixing the deadzone on the throttle?(any more than 3/4 forward on the throttle is WEP)

It's RB on the AV8R.

But with the deadzone you'll have to live - on the throttle and on the stick itself.