On Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:54:33 GMT, B A R R Y
wrote:

Roy Smith wrote:

I always visually check the trim mechanism. Set the trim wheel in the
cockpit to the neutral position. Then, during the walk-around, hold the
elevator parallel with the longitudinal axis of the airplane and observe
that the anti-servo tab is fair with the main elevator surface. If the
trim indicator is "whacked", it will be immediately obvious that the trim
tab isn't in the right place.

Good idea. During the preflight, I check the movement, the linkage, and
the piano hinge. It was in a near neutral position, as it normally
always is from the last landing. This airplane normally uses a
relatively narrow trim range.

Last Landing? In the Cherokee 180 and my Deb I know if the last
landing was done right as the trim will be at the up limit. Not just
at but right against the stops!


However... My shut down list includes setting trim to neutral. my
preflight is a mechanical "look see" if it is neutral and my run-up is
check to make sure the indicator is neutral. I then set it depending
on load/CG calcs.



I am familiar with the effort required at extreme ends of the range,
thanks to an instructor who liked to add extreme trim to unusual
attitudes. G


You didn't say what kind of plane you've got, so you may or may not be able
to do this.

A Beech 23 Sundowner. It's got a stabilator so your advice is helpful
and applicable!

I simply need to add "set trim indicator to neutral" to the end of my
list, before I leave the cockpit for the second trip around.

Thanks!
Roger (K8RI) ARRL Life Member
N833R (World's oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com