All,  I thought I'd share a fun project that's improved my ability to practice flight in sim a bit closer to reality.  I've build a small panel for throttles/flap controls and recently added pitch and yaw trim. 

The base (when in desktop mode) is walnut - or the base can be removed and the wheel panel mounted. 

The encoder is a bit overkill but the "extra" resolution dramatically improved my ability to fine-tune and trim out in level flight. 

I'm making a run for some friends and a local training center.. any suggestions on the final version would be appreciated it!  A bit torn if I should machine the trim wheel and mounting block from aluminum.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBERztph6vG/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBD_PGmhH_L/

Thanks!

Nathan (SpeedBirdPDX)

I implemented my trim controls as a joystick axis, though I notice a lot of people have their trim controls setup as incremental key commands.. any thoughts for either?

On 6/13/2020 at 11:47 PM, NateSky said:

I implemented my trim controls as a joystick axis, though I notice a lot of people have their trim controls setup as incremental key commands.. any thoughts for either?

I connected my Trim control to an Encoder instead of a POT.  By doing this you can Increment the trim....Also and more important if you are moving between Trim Wheels and "electric" trim on the Yoke the moment you "touch" that Wheel again after you have been using the Yoke Trim it will "Jump" to the Axis location.....

So the Benefit of using it with an encoder is that you will get an ability to Increase and Decrease the value Vs "Setting" the value.......Now if you are to have a Step Motor actually drive the movement then you would be able to have manual control then when you used the Trim switches on a Yoke you could have the wheel move to match.....