User Guide

Learning To Fly with Rod Machado
49
7
8. When the airplane is perfectly trimmed, let it fly by itself for a while, then press P to pause the
simulation.
I prefer to use the VSI’s needle for trimming since it’s very sensitive. I don’t mean that it will cry if you
tell it that it’s ugly. I mean that its needle is very sensitive to small changes in pitch. This makes it
easier to detect deviations from level flight. Later on I’ll show you how to use the VSI’s needle for
trimming in a climb or descent.
Many airplanes have trim for bank control. Bank trim is sometimes necessary when the wing’s fuel
load is unbalanced or if you have heavier passengers sitting to one side of the airplane.
Regardless of how well the airplane is trimmed, it may oscillate up or down slightly, varying its
altitude by perhaps 100 feet up or down. That’s the way airplanes are. Each one likes to do its own
thing and may vary slightly in altitude and heading even when properly trimmed. Let them go, unless
they wander too far off. Your job is to make the airplane as easy as possible to fly so you have more
time to think and look outside.
Okay, time for more practice. Return to the simulation and teach those Romans a thing or two about
flying straight and level. Try not to hit anything, especially an ancient ruin (although, how would
anyone know if you did?). I’m here (in the book) if you need me. You’re doing a great job and I’m
proud of you. If you’re following the curriculum in Chapter 6 (“Getting Certified”), then check off
Tutorial 1 in the chart. You’ve completed it! In our next tutorial I’ll introduce you to the basics of turns.