How to Trim an RC Plane

Make adjustments on the ground first

• 1

  Power on the transmitter and receiver and look over the control surfaces. Move all trim levers to their center position. Check to see if the control surfaces are level; if not, adjust them on the ground. You may need to use a screwdriver to remove a servo arm and re-position it.

• 2

  Ensure that all control surfaces move in the direction you expect, if not use the servo-reversing feature on your transmitter to correct the movements.

• 3

  Perform a proper range check on the radio system. Walk away from the plane with the transmitter's antenna down and make sure the control surfaces don't jitter. You may need a friend's help with this.

• 4

  Launch the plane and fly it to an altitude of about 40 feet. This height gives you time to make changes without risking an immediate crash. Throttle back to half throttle before trimming.

• 5

  Take your thumbs off the transmitter sticks and observe the plane, if the plane wants to dive then add up elevator trim first. Add down trim if the plane wants to climb. Continue to adjust the trim until the plane flies level.

• 6

  Make another pass and watch for roll. Roll will only happen in 1 direction or the other and aileron trim in the opposite direction will resolve the problem.

• 7

  Determine if the rudder needs to be trimmed by making another pass overhead. If the plane seems to want to fly a circle then the rudder is out of trim. Wait for the plane to be flying away from you to determine if it is pulling to the right or left, and add opposite rudder trim to correct.