REFLECTOR: TruTrak Automatic Trim

[Bob Jackson]

OK Andrew,

I think we agree then -- the TruTrak autopilot does allow, actually requires
the pilot to manually trim the elevator while engaged if you don't have the
optional autotrim box.  In this configuration the TT display's 'moving bars'
to indicate when manual elevator trim is required so that when it's
disengaged there will not be significant pitch transients.

We also agree its a pain and not that easy to manually keep up with the
autopilot's needs for trim when engaged by responding to the 'moving bars'
-- because of the very large pitch trim changes required, and the fact they
are masked most of the time by the 'strength' of the pitch trim servo. 

What I was objecting to was your statement that the TruTrak autopilot
'disables manual trim' when engaged, which is not true.  The TruTrak
autopilot does not 'lock out' manual trim when operating, and actually
depends on the pilot to manually trim the elevator while engaged.

Bob

-----Original Message-----
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Andrew Judge
Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2012 11:07 PM
To: 'reflector at tvbf.org'
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: TruTrak Automatic Trim

I've got the same model AP - and it was installed at Velocity... Not saying
it's right, just that it works and continues to do so for me. 

By the time I've ever seen the "moving bars" the thing is loaded way up and
I never seem to catch it. It snaps by that time. Way too much of a headache
to try to watch that. Haven't had it snap since the trim. 

Andy

----- Original Message -----
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org <reflector-bounces at tvbf.org>
To: 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list' <reflector at tvbf.org>
Sent: Sun Jan 01 20:58:13 2012
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: TruTrak Automatic Trim

No, that's not the way the TruTrak is supposed to work -- in fact, if you
don't have the auto trim box, the TT display will show a special 'moving
ladder' symbology when it's out of trim.  

And the unit DEPENDS on the pilot to manually trim the elevator until the
'moving ladder' symbology goes away (which means that the elevator is back
in trim, and no pitch spikes when it's disengaged).  The TruTrak autopilot
does not prevent the pilot from trimming when it's engaged -- at least not
our model (DigiFlight II VSGV).

Bob

-----Original Message-----
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Andrew Judge
Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2012 3:26 PM
From: Andrew Judge To: 'reflector at tvbf.org' Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: TruTrak
Automatic Trim Sent: 01 Jan '12 13:45 

I put one in about a year ago. Works pretty well. It doesn't go to zero
pressure trim, but overall good. Well worth it for me. Without it, you need
to guess and remember to trim. I used to hate the AP disengaging. At 350,
it's well worth it. It also disables the manual pitch trim when the AP is
engaged - making manual trim impossible until the AP is cancelled. Andy ----

- Original Message ----- From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org
<reflector-bounces at tvbf.org> To: reflector at tvbf.org <reflector at tvbf.org>
Sent: Sun Jan 01 11:37:52 2012 Subject: REFLECTOR: TruTrak Automatic Trim
Anyone flying with TruTrak's Automatic Trim module? If so, how would you
rate it's function and service so far? I see it has come down from $1100 to
$350 and was considering adding it to my Velocity's pitch trim servo. Bill
Walker 

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