16
TRIMING BASIC FLIGHT
The Pitts Python is NOT a trainer. A true
aerobatic aircraft, it goes only where you point it
and will not recover to level flight without
control input. If you do not have high
performance experience seek the help of
someone who does.
Line up on the center of the runway and slowly
open the throttle, using the rudder to maintain
directional control. Once the tail is up apply a
little up elevator and allow the plane to gently lift
off the runway. Keep the climb angle and turns
shallow until you reach a safe altitude. Reduce
the throttle to about 60% power. With the
airplane flying away from you adjust the radio
aileron trim tab till the wing stays level. Turn
and line up the plane with the runway. Adjust the
elevator trim till the plane maintains level flight.
Once again with the airplane flying away from
you adjust the rudder trim till the fuselage tracks
straight {it may be necessary to correct the
aileron trim after this procedure}.
Continue to fly and trim until the aircraft is
tracking well, land before the fuel runs out.
Carry a little power on final approach until over
the end of the runway, then cut power to idle,
hold the plane just off the runway till the
airspeed bleeds off and the plane settles on. If the
landing is too long, add power go around and try
again, don’t try to force it to the ground.
Now its time to zero out the trims. To do this
measure the control location, center the trim tab
on the radio and adjust the servo horn for large
changes, the control clevis for small changes. For
example if after the flight the rudder is 3/16 inch
to the right, center the radio trim and adjust the
clevis till the rudder once again measures 3/16
right. By doing this whenever you fly, setting the
radio trims at center will result in a well-trimmed
plane. Increase the control travel, as you become
more familiar with the flight characteristics until
loops take about 50 feet and knife-edge can be
maintained with 80% stick deflection. Final roll
rate should be 300-360 degrees per second.
If you have followed the procedures in this
Manuel you will now be rewarded with one of
the finest flying sport models available. All
aerobatic maneuvers are at your fingertips and
the aircraft will perform them with ease. No
further trim work will be required until you are
ready for unlimited and advanced 3-D flights.
Before attempting any of the
ADVANCED FLIGHT TRIM procedures you
must be completely comfortable with inverted
and knife-edge flight. The following trim
sequence is very time consuming and you may
not be able to complete it in one day. Every
change made during this procedure will affect
all others so it will be necessary to start the
procedure from the beginning after each
adjustment.
