Adding Trim

[+JSF_Aggie]

Someone in another thread posted about lack of trim.  There is this poor man's method to add it, assuming you have a stick, and are not just flying with your keyboard. 

If anyone remembers who came up with it, let me know.  It was many many years ago.

In your /ModFolder/Controls/Default.INI (or whatever you named your control mappings file), make the following changes:

[RangedControl001]
AxisControl=PITCH_CONTROL
MaxValue=1000.000000
MinValue=-1000.000000
DeadZone=1.000000
Saturation=80.000000
ReverseJoystick=TRUE
MouseScale=10.000000
UseMouseRate=FALSE
ReverseMouse=TRUE
LimitValue=TRUE
SelfCenterRate=0.000000  <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
KeyControlRate=0.100000  <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
AllowKeyControl=TRUE
IncreaseControl=PITCH_DOWN
DecreaseControl=PITCH_UP
CenterControl=

[RangedControl003]
AxisControl=ROLL_CONTROL
MaxValue=1000.000000
MinValue=-1000.000000
DeadZone=1.000000
Saturation=80.000000
ReverseJoystick=FALSE
MouseScale=10.000000
UseMouseRate=FALSE
ReverseMouse=FALSE
LimitValue=TRUE
SelfCenterRate=0.000000  <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
KeyControlRate=0.100000  <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
AllowKeyControl=TRUE
IncreaseControl=ROLL_RIGHT  
DecreaseControl=ROLL_LEFT
CenterControl=

Now your arrow keys will act as trim.  Map them to your trim switch via your stick's software.  Adjust the KeyControlRate to your sensitivity preference.  

I've never been able to get anything to map to CenterControl, and have it create an effect.  I was hoping it would work to ZERO out any trim entered.

Edited May 16, 2020 by JSF_Aggie

[+baffmeister]

If you want to take things one step further, after doing JSF_Aggies edit you can also remove the automatic pitch trim feature by modifying the aircraft data ini. This will more or less force you to use the pitch trim at times. Here's an example using ThirdWires Lightning 53. I gave this a quick test and some trimming required during normal flight with more required during approach and landing when extending gear and flaps.

[FlightControl]
StallSpeed=71.02
CruiseSpeed=206.42
ClimbSpeed=347.62
CornerSpeed=194.97
LandingSpeed=72.35
MaxG=6.00
MaxSpeedSL=334.58
MachLimit=2.000
MachLimitDry=1.227
PitchDamper=0.6
RollDamper=0.4
YawDamper=0.0
SideslipDamper=0.0
StabilityAugmentation=0.5
GunBoresightAngle=0
RocketBoresightAngle=0
FlapSettingForLanding=1
FlapSettingForTakeOff=1

AutoTrimLimit=0.0//....................................................................ADD THIS

 

I don't have enough buttons on the stick to run this and prefer the auto pitch trim feature anyway but this might be of interest to some. I think Strato's was checking this out at one point but not sure if he ever noticed any issues.

[+JSF_Aggie]

Thanks Baff. I wonder if that screws with the AI at all.

[+baffmeister]

6 minutes ago, JSF_Aggie said:

Thanks Baff. I wonder if that screws with the AI at all.

I don't think it affects the AI but might be something to keep an eye on.

Edited May 16, 2020 by baffmeister
typo