Earthstar Forums

This may sound bizarre. But, here's what I did in my Odyssey.

I made believe the trim knob was the top of a peanut butter jar, or pickle jar, whatever you want.

My mind said "Let it Out" equals loosen the cap and go fast.

"Screw it up" meant nose up.

Worked for me <grin>

Keep the shiny side up
Ed Baker

a Sonex trim system with a well marked knob may solve this one, other planes use it too

http://www.homebuiltairplanes.com/forum ... anism.html

2 cents,
Rahul

We don't fly "other planes". The Earthstar trim system has a very "well marked knob".

Actually, no one was even saying that the trim system was a problem needing to be fixed.
The discussion was on how to easily operate the Earthstar trim system with proper situational awareness.

RMM


---In Earthstar_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com, <rahul.chou@...> wrote :

a Sonex trim system with a well marked knob may solve this one, other planes use it too


http://www.homebuiltairplanes.com/forum ... anism.html http://www.homebuiltairplanes.com/forum ... anism.html


2 cents,
Rahul

yes, that's a pretty basic expectation. With insufficient visibility of the gull controls in detail, the discussion felt as if the trim knob was positioned where the handbrake of a car usually is with the knob face facing ahead, instead of towards the pilots visual. Which is why the "may" and 2 cents

(Now if it is common for a new Earthstar pilot to pick a fetish to immaturely jerk around other members, then they better apologize; age, class no bar)

RC

The trim system in Earthstar planes is well thought out. The issue is only,
the knob is not in plain view, so marking it with up, down is of no use. I
think I can easily get used to the "thumb-up, thumb-down" memory aide. The
throttle in the Cessnas I fly does not have an indicator either...

But I expect this to become second nature in short order. In general, one
of my favorite aspects of Mark's designs is that you get immediate
feedback. I expect to fly mainly by feel (much like I do when I sail or
windsurf), and I would not even want electric actuators (like for the
flaps) to get in the way.

That said, I am seriously thinking about installing an angle-of-attack
indicator. Mark does not think it is worth it, and he may well be right,
especially after getting a feel for the plane. Topic for another thread.

Well stated, Martin. Thanks.

The issue here being practical piloting --

Absolutely no reason to second guess, solve, or "re-engineer" Mark's well-proven designs. Having studied Mark's trim system while re-installing the rear stabilator on my "new" Odyssey, I was impressed by the straight forward approach. It just works. The "Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down" is indeed a clever memory device.

RMM




---In Earthstar_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com, <martinkoxxy@...> wrote :

The trim system in Earthstar planes is well thought out. The issue is only, the knob is not in plain view, so marking it with up, down is of no use. I think I can easily get used to the "thumb-up, thumb-down" memory aide. The throttle in the Cessnas I fly does not have an indicator either...

But I expect this to become second nature in short order. In general, one of my favorite aspects of Mark's designs is that you get immediate feedback. I expect to fly mainly by feel (much like I do when I sail or windsurf), and I would not even want electric actuators (like for the flaps) to get in the way.

That said, I am seriously thinking about installing an angle-of-attack indicator. Mark does not think it is worth it, and he may well be right, especially after getting a feel for the plane. Topic for another thread.

One other minor thing I did in mine was dial it all the way to the maximum nose up position and put a white stripe on the knob. I'd then turn it back 3 and 1/2 turns for my take off setting before getting into the airplane.

On my Odyssey I do not change the trim any prior to takeoff. The pitch trim is close enough to where it should be for takeoff (trim position is left at the setting used for the last landing). I do make some small adjustments after takeoff but the control forces on this little airplane are very manageable in almost any configuration.

Skot

Hi from Mark
On my walk around I grab the horizontal stab and visually align it to the bottom sill on the door and check the trim tab is about in line with the center line of the stab. This is especially important on a test flight.
Happy Flying
Mark

Sent from my iPhone

Trim looks like it's needed a couple times every (decently long) trip. thought it was needed more for changes in weight & balance of the plane, and sometimes in much too varying cross/headwinds just short of being gusty. Now it seems a nose up setting would help in take offs too, in some finer way. wonder if it is used in sharp landings too...

Design's absolutely cool. Just that as a long term Brodie knob user (a steering wheel accessory for three finger use), for quick || parks & long reverse drives, thought colorful upfront knobs would be nice as a personalization (inspected and all)

Btw, here's one "pointy nosed" design that's actually smart, great pilot visual and repair workshop friendly... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... ction.html