wrote:
Trim tabs you say- Well that makes a lot of sense then. Some nice big
servos embedded in the wing and horizontal stab could do double duty as
conventional trim and with addition of controller, an automatic
stabilazation system.


As has been already pointed out the devil is in the details. The theory
is simple when thinking of damping. Think of a child swinging on a
swing. You want to stop him. At what point do you apply influence? Not
at the bottom where the swing there is the most kinetic energy you have
to fight. You want to apply force at the end of each swing.

Simple, ain't it? If it really were that simple you could use a rate
sensing gyro hooked more or less directly to your servo. The gyro would
have to be mounted near the center of motion in your aircraft. I worked
on autopilit systems on several types of aircraft and none was simple.

One thing that you need to figure out is how to install your servo in
such a way as you can still manually trim without damaging it. Another
thing that would be handy is a quick disconnect button on your yoke or
stick. You'd be surprised how fast a malfunctioning power steering
system can get out of hand if it wants to.

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired