369:
controls could often be flown home "on the trim tabs", or by using trim adjustment as a replacement for the non-working primary controls. Such control is effective, if slower and more limited than primary controls, but it does allow the aircraft to be controlled and directed. In other cases, such as engine failure or damage causing asymmetric drag, trim tabs were invaluable for allowing the pilot to fly the aircraft straight without having to apply a constant force on the stick or rudder to keep the aircraft flying straight.
394:
325:
289:
220:
129:
32:
422:
It's a miniature rudder. Just moving the little trim tab builds a low pressure that pulls the rudder around. Takes almost no effort at all. So I said that the little individual can be a trim tab. Society thinks it's going right by you, that it's left you altogether. But if you're doing dynamic things
340:
affect the small trimming part of the elevator on jet airliners. The former is supposed to be set in a certain position for a longer time, while the pitch trim (controlled with the landing pilot's thumb on the yoke or joystick, and thereby easy to maneuver) is used all the time after the flying pilot
246:
Elevator trim frees the pilot from exerting constant force on the pitch controls, by adjusting trim control (often in the form of a vertical wheel) to cancel out control forces for a given airspeed and weight distribution. Typically, when this wheel is rotated up (or lever raised) the aircraft's nose
451:
Bucky made the analogy that a trim tab is an example of how the individual is connected to society and how we affect society. And I like to think of myself as a trim tab. All of us are trim tabs. We might seem like we’re not up to the task, but we are, man. We’re alive! We can make a difference! We
368:
On military aircraft during wartime, trim tabs often served as unintentional backup control systems for aircraft with damaged controls. Since trim tabs are usually controlled by their own dedicated system of control cables, rods, and/or hydraulic lines, aircraft that had suffered loss of primary
372:
Trim tabs were also important for aircraft such as bombers, which often underwent rapid changes in center-of-gravity when the bombload was dropped, requiring a hand ready on the trim-adjusting wheel to counteract the tendency of the aircraft to pitch up or down. Undertaking high-speed dives or
250:
Many airplanes also have rudder and/or aileron trim systems. On some, the rudder trim tab is hinged and adjustable during flight; on others it is only adjustable on the ground (to lessen the need for the pilot to push the rudder pedal constantly to overcome the left-turning tendencies of many
316:
The use of trim tabs significantly reduces pilots' workload during continuous maneuvers (e.g. sustained climb to altitude after takeoff or descent prior to landing), allowing them to focus their attention on other tasks such as traffic avoidance or communication with
182:
or rudder). As the desired position of a control surface changes (corresponding mainly to different speeds), an adjustable trim tab will allow the operator to reduce the manual force required to maintain that position—to zero, if desired. Thus the trim tab acts as a
341:
has disabled the autopilot, especially after each time the flaps are lowered or at every change in the airspeed, at the descent, approach and final. Elevator trim is most used for controlling the attitude at cruising by the autopilot.
296:
When a servo tab is employed, it is moved into the slipstream opposite to the control surface's desired deflection. For example, in order to trim an elevator to hold the nose down, the elevator's trim tab will actually rise
284:), fuel may be shifted to tanks in the tail during cruise to reposition the center of gravity in order to reduce trim drag. Maintaining the center of gravity near the aft-most limit for cruise improves cruise efficiency.
195:
generated by the tab can match the moment generated by the control surface. The position of the control surface on its axis will change until the torques from the control surface and the trim surface balance each other.
380:
Consumption of fuel could require periodic trim adjustment during a long flight, as it was difficult to ensure that all fuel tanks were equally near the center of gravity. An extreme example was the later
622:
385:, which was given a large fuel tank behind the cockpit to allow long-range missions; as fuel from this tank was consumed it was necessary for regular adjustment of the elevator trim.
373:
deploying flaps also generally necessitated pitch trim adjustment, as aircraft of the era had different pitch tendencies at different airspeeds, and flaps could change the
223:
The trim-tab control of a small airplane. Rotating the wheel upwards changes the 'hands-off' elevator position to create a more nose-down attitude, downwards more nose-up.
254:
Most fixed-wing aircraft have a trim tab on the elevator. However, alternative means of controlling the speed and attitude of the aircraft are sometimes used, including:
658:
305:
elevator slab down slightly, causing the tail to rise and the aircraft's nose to move down. In the case of an aircraft where deployment of high-lift devices (
1235:
171:, used to control the trim of the controls, i.e. to counteract hydro- or aerodynamic forces and stabilise the boat or aircraft in a particular desired
175:
without the need for the operator to constantly apply a control force. This is done by adjusting the angle of the tab relative to the larger surface.
211:
Adjusting them up or down alters the pitch attitude of the boat while under way, variously balancing speed, weight distribution, and sea conditions.
360:
because the craft is not flying straight into the apparent wind. In such circumstances, the use of an adjustable rudder trim tab can reduce yaw.
309:) would significantly alter the longitudinal trim, a supplementary trim tab is arranged to simultaneously deploy with the flaps so that pitch
594:
1275:
374:
188:
191:
of the trim tab is farther away from the axis of rotation of the control surface than the center of pressure of the control surface, the
1230:
1175:
1040:
551:
1295:
651:
115:
571:
243:
with a minimum of inputs and mental concentration. Many newer aircraft, especially jet aircraft, have electric trim controls.
1619:
1265:
881:
863:
405:
is often cited for his use of trim tabs as a metaphor for leadership and personal empowerment. In the
February 1972 issue of
239:
of a fixed-wing aircraft. As such, they are elements of an aircraft's system for allowing the pilot to control and maintain
53:
1614:
419:—the whole ship goes by and then comes the rudder. And there's a tiny thing at the edge of the rudder called a trim tab.
207:
or boats that operate at speeds close to planing will often have trim tabs on their engine lower unit or attached to the
1548:
1389:
644:
20:
96:
301:
into the slipstream. The increased pressure on top of the trim tab surface caused by raising it will then deflect the
68:
483:
423:
mentally, the fact is that you can just put your foot out like that and the whole big ship of state is going to go.
1609:
1270:
1225:
916:
42:
1456:
1300:
1250:
49:
75:
1240:
793:
723:
444:
1285:
1568:
1543:
1305:
1210:
1100:
1070:
1045:
911:
876:
519:
Schaufele, Roger (1999). "Applied aerodynamics at the
Douglas Aircraft Company - A historical perspective".
353:
281:
178:
Changing the setting of a trim tab adjusts the neutral or resting position of a control surface (such as an
160:
1583:
1384:
1280:
1105:
1065:
921:
172:
82:
1563:
1481:
1471:
976:
688:
1528:
1331:
1125:
936:
891:
64:
1507:
1414:
1130:
838:
667:
318:
262:
232:
179:
1215:
1195:
1190:
1164:
1075:
1016:
788:
402:
208:
19:
This article is about aircraft and boat control surfaces. For the
Sausalito-based company, see
1523:
1260:
1205:
1185:
1115:
1110:
1095:
783:
590:
547:
310:
247:
pitches down; rotating it down (or depressing the lever) lowers the tail and raises the nose.
1578:
1461:
1135:
1030:
753:
728:
671:
524:
415:
Something hit me very hard once, thinking about what one little man could do. Think of the
288:
1588:
1558:
1553:
1404:
1325:
1290:
1255:
1050:
698:
345:
306:
623:"'Tag, you're it!' Here's a full transcript of Jeff Bridges's wacky Golden Globes speech"
219:
1573:
1433:
1150:
708:
703:
416:
349:
324:
204:
89:
1603:
1502:
1441:
1245:
1180:
818:
798:
713:
357:
1538:
1466:
1429:
1409:
1399:
1374:
1339:
1120:
1090:
1060:
1026:
1006:
996:
991:
961:
896:
763:
733:
693:
484:"Procedures for hydrodynamic evaluation of planing hulls in smooth and rough water"
440:
439:
Fuller's metaphor received considerable media attention in
January 2019 when actor
382:
328:
The black and white marked trim control wheels on the center console on an airliner
128:
636:
436:
The official newsletter of the
Buckminster Fuller Institute is called "Trimtab".
1486:
1369:
1085:
941:
31:
1476:
1364:
1359:
1315:
1310:
1145:
1080:
1055:
1011:
986:
971:
906:
768:
758:
266:
610:
Trimtab, the monthly digital news service of the
Buckminster Fuller Institute
1533:
1451:
1379:
1354:
1344:
1200:
981:
966:
946:
901:
886:
843:
828:
823:
813:
748:
718:
462:
270:
184:
393:
1446:
1419:
1394:
1160:
1140:
931:
848:
773:
743:
679:
356:
when operating at high power, for instance when climbing; this increases
277:
258:
a spring included in the control system that can be adjusted by the pilot
240:
168:
609:
1220:
871:
853:
778:
528:
407:
236:
956:
926:
833:
808:
738:
228:
192:
443:
employed it in his Cecil B. DeMille Award acceptance speech at the
1349:
951:
803:
392:
323:
287:
218:
127:
164:
640:
292:
The movement of the elevator is opposite that of its trim tab.
159:
are small surfaces connected to the trailing edge of a larger
25:
397:
Grave of
Buckminster Fuller with the quote "Call me Trimtab"
344:
Beyond reducing pilot workload, proper trim also increases
269:, the position of which can be adjusted in flight by a
352:. For example, propeller aircraft have a tendency to
1516:
1495:
1428:
1324:
1159:
1025:
862:
678:
56:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
546:. Marlborough: The Crowood Press Ltd. p. 62.
265:, an all-moving horizontal stabilizer, called a
452:can turn this ship in the way we wanna go, man!
449:
413:
652:
8:
227:Trim tabs are variously integrated into the
521:37th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit
659:
645:
637:
568:Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
482:Savitsky, Daniel; Brown, P. Ward (1976).
116:Learn how and when to remove this message
474:
514:
512:
7:
54:adding citations to reliable sources
14:
30:
572:Federal Aviation Administration
41:needs additional citations for
1569:In-flight entertainment system
1266:Horizontal situation indicator
1:
1549:Environmental control system
587:The Anatomy Of The Aeroplane
574:. 2016-08-24. pp. 6–11.
426:So I said, call me Trim Tab.
21:TrimTabs Investment Research
1638:
1226:Course deviation indicator
917:Electro-hydraulic actuator
18:
16:Boat or aircraft component
1457:Conventional landing gear
544:Evolution Of The Airliner
313:is not markedly changed.
1241:Flight management system
585:Stinton, Darrol (1985).
1544:Emergency oxygen system
1306:Turn and slip indicator
1101:Leading-edge droop flap
1071:Drag-reducing aerospike
1046:Adaptive compliant wing
1041:Active Aeroelastic Wing
282:McDonnell Douglas MD-11
276:On some aircraft (e.g.
251:prop-driven aircraft).
1584:Passenger service unit
1385:Self-sealing fuel tank
1281:Multi-function display
542:Ray, Whitford (2007).
454:
434:
398:
329:
293:
224:
153:
132:Typical trim tabs on
1620:Watercraft components
1564:Ice protection system
1482:Tricycle landing gear
1472:Landing gear extender
689:Aft pressure bulkhead
396:
327:
291:
273:or an anti-servo tab.
222:
131:
1615:Aircraft wing design
1529:Auxiliary power unit
937:Flight control modes
50:improve this article
1508:Escape crew capsule
1415:War emergency power
1286:Pitot–static system
1131:Variable-sweep wing
839:Vertical stabilizer
621:Rao, Sonia (2019).
319:air traffic control
261:in the case of the
1216:Attitude indicator
1196:Airspeed indicator
1191:Aircraft periscope
529:10.2514/6.1999-118
445:76th Golden Globes
431:Buckminster Fuller
403:Buckminster Fuller
399:
375:center of pressure
330:
294:
225:
189:center of pressure
154:
1610:Aircraft controls
1597:
1596:
1524:Aircraft lavatory
1261:Heading indicator
1206:Annunciator panel
1186:Air data computer
1096:Leading-edge cuff
596:978-0-632-01876-5
491:Marine Technology
126:
125:
118:
100:
1627:
1579:Navigation light
1559:Hydraulic system
1534:Bleed air system
1462:Drogue parachute
1136:Vortex generator
754:Interplane strut
661:
654:
647:
638:
631:
630:
618:
612:
607:
601:
600:
582:
576:
575:
564:
558:
557:
539:
533:
532:
516:
507:
506:
504:
502:
488:
479:
432:
152:
150:
145:
143:
138:
136:
121:
114:
110:
107:
101:
99:
58:
34:
26:
1637:
1636:
1630:
1629:
1628:
1626:
1625:
1624:
1600:
1599:
1598:
1593:
1589:Ram air turbine
1554:Flight recorder
1512:
1491:
1424:
1405:Thrust reversal
1329:
1320:
1291:Radar altimeter
1256:Head-up display
1166:
1155:
1051:Anti-shock body
1033:
1021:
882:Artificial feel
864:Flight controls
858:
724:Fabric covering
674:
670:components and
665:
635:
634:
627:Washington Post
620:
619:
615:
608:
604:
597:
584:
583:
579:
566:
565:
561:
554:
553:978-1-861268709
541:
540:
536:
518:
517:
510:
500:
498:
486:
481:
480:
476:
471:
459:
433:
430:
411:, Fuller said:
391:
366:
346:fuel efficiency
217:
202:
161:control surface
148:
147:
141:
140:
134:
133:
122:
111:
105:
102:
59:
57:
47:
35:
24:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1635:
1634:
1631:
1623:
1622:
1617:
1612:
1602:
1601:
1595:
1594:
1592:
1591:
1586:
1581:
1576:
1574:Landing lights
1571:
1566:
1561:
1556:
1551:
1546:
1541:
1536:
1531:
1526:
1520:
1518:
1514:
1513:
1511:
1510:
1505:
1499:
1497:
1496:Escape systems
1493:
1492:
1490:
1489:
1484:
1479:
1474:
1469:
1464:
1459:
1454:
1449:
1444:
1438:
1436:
1434:arresting gear
1426:
1425:
1423:
1422:
1417:
1412:
1407:
1402:
1397:
1392:
1390:Splitter plate
1387:
1382:
1377:
1372:
1367:
1362:
1357:
1352:
1347:
1342:
1336:
1334:
1322:
1321:
1319:
1318:
1313:
1308:
1303:
1298:
1293:
1288:
1283:
1278:
1273:
1268:
1263:
1258:
1253:
1248:
1243:
1238:
1233:
1228:
1223:
1218:
1213:
1208:
1203:
1198:
1193:
1188:
1183:
1178:
1172:
1170:
1157:
1156:
1154:
1153:
1148:
1143:
1138:
1133:
1128:
1123:
1118:
1113:
1108:
1103:
1098:
1093:
1088:
1083:
1078:
1073:
1068:
1063:
1058:
1053:
1048:
1043:
1037:
1035:
1023:
1022:
1020:
1019:
1014:
1009:
1004:
999:
994:
989:
984:
979:
974:
969:
964:
959:
954:
949:
944:
939:
934:
929:
924:
919:
914:
909:
904:
899:
894:
889:
884:
879:
874:
868:
866:
860:
859:
857:
856:
851:
846:
841:
836:
831:
826:
821:
816:
811:
806:
801:
796:
791:
786:
781:
776:
771:
766:
761:
756:
751:
746:
741:
736:
731:
726:
721:
716:
711:
709:Cruciform tail
706:
704:Crack arrestor
701:
696:
691:
685:
683:
676:
675:
666:
664:
663:
656:
649:
641:
633:
632:
613:
602:
595:
577:
559:
552:
534:
508:
473:
472:
470:
467:
466:
465:
458:
455:
428:
390:
387:
365:
362:
358:parasitic drag
286:
285:
274:
259:
216:
213:
201:
198:
187:. Because the
151: elevator
124:
123:
38:
36:
29:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1633:
1632:
1621:
1618:
1616:
1613:
1611:
1608:
1607:
1605:
1590:
1587:
1585:
1582:
1580:
1577:
1575:
1572:
1570:
1567:
1565:
1562:
1560:
1557:
1555:
1552:
1550:
1547:
1545:
1542:
1540:
1537:
1535:
1532:
1530:
1527:
1525:
1522:
1521:
1519:
1517:Other systems
1515:
1509:
1506:
1504:
1503:Ejection seat
1501:
1500:
1498:
1494:
1488:
1485:
1483:
1480:
1478:
1475:
1473:
1470:
1468:
1465:
1463:
1460:
1458:
1455:
1453:
1450:
1448:
1447:Arrestor hook
1445:
1443:
1442:Aircraft tire
1440:
1439:
1437:
1435:
1431:
1427:
1421:
1418:
1416:
1413:
1411:
1408:
1406:
1403:
1401:
1398:
1396:
1393:
1391:
1388:
1386:
1383:
1381:
1378:
1376:
1373:
1371:
1368:
1366:
1363:
1361:
1358:
1356:
1353:
1351:
1348:
1346:
1343:
1341:
1338:
1337:
1335:
1333:
1327:
1323:
1317:
1314:
1312:
1309:
1307:
1304:
1302:
1299:
1297:
1294:
1292:
1289:
1287:
1284:
1282:
1279:
1277:
1274:
1272:
1269:
1267:
1264:
1262:
1259:
1257:
1254:
1252:
1249:
1247:
1246:Glass cockpit
1244:
1242:
1239:
1237:
1234:
1232:
1229:
1227:
1224:
1222:
1219:
1217:
1214:
1212:
1209:
1207:
1204:
1202:
1199:
1197:
1194:
1192:
1189:
1187:
1184:
1182:
1181:Air data boom
1179:
1177:
1174:
1173:
1171:
1168:
1162:
1158:
1152:
1149:
1147:
1144:
1142:
1139:
1137:
1134:
1132:
1129:
1127:
1124:
1122:
1119:
1117:
1114:
1112:
1109:
1107:
1104:
1102:
1099:
1097:
1094:
1092:
1089:
1087:
1084:
1082:
1079:
1077:
1074:
1072:
1069:
1067:
1064:
1062:
1059:
1057:
1054:
1052:
1049:
1047:
1044:
1042:
1039:
1038:
1036:
1032:
1028:
1024:
1018:
1015:
1013:
1010:
1008:
1005:
1003:
1000:
998:
995:
993:
990:
988:
985:
983:
980:
978:
975:
973:
970:
968:
965:
963:
962:Rudder pedals
960:
958:
955:
953:
950:
948:
945:
943:
940:
938:
935:
933:
930:
928:
925:
923:
920:
918:
915:
913:
910:
908:
905:
903:
900:
898:
895:
893:
890:
888:
885:
883:
880:
878:
875:
873:
870:
869:
867:
865:
861:
855:
852:
850:
847:
845:
842:
840:
837:
835:
832:
830:
827:
825:
822:
820:
819:Trailing edge
817:
815:
812:
810:
807:
805:
802:
800:
799:Stressed skin
797:
795:
792:
790:
787:
785:
782:
780:
777:
775:
772:
770:
767:
765:
762:
760:
757:
755:
752:
750:
747:
745:
742:
740:
737:
735:
732:
730:
727:
725:
722:
720:
717:
715:
712:
710:
707:
705:
702:
700:
697:
695:
692:
690:
687:
686:
684:
681:
677:
673:
669:
662:
657:
655:
650:
648:
643:
642:
639:
628:
624:
617:
614:
611:
606:
603:
598:
592:
588:
581:
578:
573:
569:
563:
560:
555:
549:
545:
538:
535:
530:
526:
522:
515:
513:
509:
496:
492:
485:
478:
475:
468:
464:
461:
460:
456:
453:
448:
446:
442:
437:
427:
424:
420:
418:
412:
410:
409:
404:
395:
389:As a metaphor
388:
386:
384:
378:
376:
370:
363:
361:
359:
355:
351:
347:
342:
339:
335:
334:elevator trim
326:
322:
320:
314:
312:
308:
304:
300:
290:
283:
279:
275:
272:
268:
264:
260:
257:
256:
255:
252:
248:
244:
242:
238:
234:
230:
221:
214:
212:
210:
206:
205:Planing boats
199:
197:
194:
190:
186:
181:
176:
174:
170:
166:
162:
158:
137: aileron
130:
120:
117:
109:
98:
95:
91:
88:
84:
81:
77:
74:
70:
67: –
66:
62:
61:Find sources:
55:
51:
45:
44:
39:This article
37:
33:
28:
27:
22:
1539:Deicing boot
1467:Landing gear
1410:Townend ring
1400:Thrust lever
1375:NACA cowling
1340:Autothrottle
1332:fuel systems
1330:devices and
1121:Stall strips
1091:Krueger flap
1061:Channel wing
1007:Wing warping
1001:
997:Stick shaker
992:Stick pusher
912:Dual control
897:Centre stick
764:Leading edge
734:Flying wires
694:Cabane strut
626:
616:
605:
586:
580:
567:
562:
543:
537:
520:
499:. Retrieved
497:(4): 381–400
494:
490:
477:
450:
441:Jeff Bridges
438:
435:
425:
421:
414:
406:
400:
383:P-51 Mustang
379:
371:
367:
348:by reducing
343:
337:
333:
331:
315:
302:
298:
295:
253:
249:
245:
226:
203:
177:
156:
155:
144: rudder
112:
106:October 2008
103:
93:
86:
79:
72:
60:
48:Please help
43:verification
40:
1487:Tundra tire
1370:Intake ramp
1301:Transponder
1086:Gurney flap
1027:Aerodynamic
942:Fly-by-wire
824:Triple tail
215:On aircraft
1604:Categories
1477:Oleo strut
1365:Inlet cone
1360:Gascolator
1326:Propulsion
1316:Yaw string
1311:Variometer
1167:instrument
1146:Wing fence
1081:Gouge flap
1056:Blown flap
1012:Yaw damper
987:Stabilator
972:Side-stick
907:Dive brake
794:Stabilizer
769:Lift strut
759:Jury strut
469:References
417:Queen Mary
338:pitch trim
267:stabilator
76:newspapers
65:"Trim tab"
1452:Autobrake
1380:NACA duct
1355:Fuel tank
1345:Drop tank
1328:controls,
1211:Astrodome
1201:Altimeter
1066:Dog-tooth
1031:high-lift
982:Spoileron
967:Servo tab
947:Gust lock
902:Deceleron
887:Autopilot
844:Wing root
829:Twin tail
814:Tailplane
749:Hardpoint
719:Empennage
682:structure
463:Servo tab
401:Designer
271:servo tab
233:elevators
185:servo tab
157:Trim tabs
1420:Wet wing
1395:Throttle
1141:Vortilon
1002:Trim tab
932:Flaperon
922:Elevator
877:Airbrake
849:Wing tip
774:Longeron
744:Fuselage
680:Airframe
668:Aircraft
457:See also
429:—
364:Military
311:attitude
278:Concorde
263:elevator
241:airspeed
237:ailerons
209:transom.
200:On boats
180:elevator
173:attitude
169:aircraft
1430:Landing
1221:Compass
1169:systems
1161:Avionic
1151:Winglet
1034:devices
977:Spoiler
872:Aileron
854:Wingbox
779:Nacelle
729:Fairing
672:systems
501:18 June
408:Playboy
90:scholar
1165:flight
1126:Strake
957:Rudder
927:Elevon
892:Canard
834:V-tail
809:T-tail
739:Former
699:Canopy
593:
550:
303:entire
235:, and
229:rudder
193:moment
149:
142:
135:
92:
85:
78:
71:
63:
1350:FADEC
1236:EICAS
1111:Slats
952:HOTAS
804:Strut
487:(PDF)
332:Both
307:flaps
163:on a
97:JSTOR
83:books
1432:and
1296:TCAS
1276:ISIS
1231:EFIS
1176:ACAS
1163:and
1116:Slot
1076:Flap
1029:and
1017:Yoke
789:Spar
714:Dope
591:ISBN
548:ISBN
503:2020
350:drag
336:and
165:boat
146:and
69:news
1271:INS
1251:GPS
1106:LEX
784:Rib
525:doi
447::
354:yaw
167:or
52:by
1606::
625:.
589:.
570:.
523:.
511:^
495:13
493:.
489:.
377:.
321:.
299:up
280:,
231:,
139:,
660:e
653:t
646:v
629:.
599:.
556:.
531:.
527::
505:.
119:)
113:(
108:)
104:(
94:·
87:·
80:·
73:·
46:.
23:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
