Hello:I fly the FS2004 Digital Aviation cheyenne frequently and try to fly it as realistically as possible. For those who use this aircraft I hope you could help me!With autopilot on and after arming altitude I have trouble using the FD/AP Vertical Trim Switch to properly trim for a climb or descent. After one click up or down I sometimes get a sudden climb or descent of 2000-3000 fpm. Other times it takes many clicks to get any change in climb or descent! I usually calculate my descent rate in order to arrive at the proper altitude at specific waypoints, but using the trim switch is a real challenge. Do "real" Cheyenne pilots use this switch? Wouldn't the trim wheel do a more precise job of setting proper trim? I would appreciate any thoughts or guidance on performing a proper trim and holding a descent or climb rate within reason.Thanks for your help! I posted on the DA forum, but it usually takes a long time to get a response.Airbus

I can't speak specifically to the proper trimming procedures of that plane, but if you're looking for a smoother trimming experience in general, check out this crude project I banged together the other day:More info here edit: something seems to be amiss with the link. Here's the infoCongratulations to everyone who did the hamburger flight on Vatsim this weekend. I wish I could have been by my computer Saturday to join you.I was able to carve out some FS time today however, and I just finished putting together a functional trim wheel.It ain't pretty, but it works great, and it's very cheap to throw together--maybe even free, depending on what you've got kicking around the house.Supplies:1 coffee can1 old USB mouse that was collecting dust (with scroll wheel)1 wooden chopstick (free with order of Shanghai noodles)1 small screwsome scotch tape1 free usb portI'm a dummy when it comes to technical stuff like circuit boards and soldering and such, so I'll just sum up what I did in caveman terms.1) Cracked open the mouse with a blunt object, took out the guts.2) Taped the mouse guts to the bottom of an empty coffee can.3) Sawed a chopstick in half, stuck the pointy end into the side of the mouse's scroll wheel that was no longer connected to anything after I ripped the guts out.4) Screwed the coffee can's plastic lid (the trim wheel) to the thicker end of the chopstick.5) Wrapped some extra tape around everything for good measure.6) Plugged it into my free USB port.To get this contraption functioning like a trim wheel, all you need to do is check the"use your mouse wheel as a trim wheel" function in the miscellaneous section of a registered copy of FSUIPC.If you don't have a registered copy of FSUIPC, you can download the free "RealTrim" module (http://code.google.com/p/fscode/wiki/RealTrim) and enable "mouse wheel as trim wheel" under the "modules" menu inside the sim.The only glitch I had testing the trim wheel for the first time was that the trim wheel in the VC was turning in the opposite direction I was turning my coffee can lid. I solved this by installing a free program called "X-Mouse Button Control" (http://www.highrez.co.uk/downloads/XMouseButtonControl.htm), which includes an option for inverting mouse wheel scrolling.Like I say, it may not be much to look at, but it really does work great, and having a trim wheel adds a lot to the simming experience. So if you've got an extra mouse, some other junk, and about 15 minutes to slap it together, give it a try.

That's excellent Charlie! Love the creativity.

I can't speak specifically to the proper trimming procedures of that plane, but if you're looking for a smoother trimming experience in general, check out this crude project I banged together the other day:More info here edit: something seems to be amiss with the link. Here's the infoCongratulations to everyone who did the hamburger flight on Vatsim this weekend. I wish I could have been by my computer Saturday to join you.I was able to carve out some FS time today however, and I just finished putting together a functional trim wheel.It ain't pretty, but it works great, and it's very cheap to throw together--maybe even free, depending on what you've got kicking around the house.Supplies:1 coffee can1 old USB mouse that was collecting dust (with scroll wheel)1 wooden chopstick (free with order of Shanghai noodles)1 small screwsome scotch tape1 free usb portI'm a dummy when it comes to technical stuff like circuit boards and soldering and such, so I'll just sum up what I did in caveman terms.1) Cracked open the mouse with a blunt object, took out the guts.2) Taped the mouse guts to the bottom of an empty coffee can.3) Sawed a chopstick in half, stuck the pointy end into the side of the mouse's scroll wheel that was no longer connected to anything after I ripped the guts out.4) Screwed the coffee can's plastic lid (the trim wheel) to the thicker end of the chopstick.5) Wrapped some extra tape around everything for good measure.6) Plugged it into my free USB port.To get this contraption functioning like a trim wheel, all you need to do is check the"use your mouse wheel as a trim wheel" function in the miscellaneous section of a registered copy of FSUIPC.If you don't have a registered copy of FSUIPC, you can download the free "RealTrim" module (http://code.google.com/p/fscode/wiki/RealTrim) and enable "mouse wheel as trim wheel" under the "modules" menu inside the sim.The only glitch I had testing the trim wheel for the first time was that the trim wheel in the VC was turning in the opposite direction I was turning my coffee can lid. I solved this by installing a free program called "X-Mouse Button Control" (http://www.highrez.co.uk/downloads/XMouseButtonControl.htm), which includes an option for inverting mouse wheel scrolling.Like I say, it may not be much to look at, but it really does work great, and having a trim wheel adds a lot to the simming experience. So if you've got an extra mouse, some other junk, and about 15 minutes to slap it together, give it a try.

Charley:Thanks for such a great idea! I might give this a try. I wonder if anyone has any specific experience with the trim in the DA cheyenne.Airbus