PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - The Roller Coaster technique in Boeing 737's
Old 20th May 2026 | 04:43
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Centaurus
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Joined: Jun 2000
: ATP+Mil
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From: Australia
The following extract is from the 737 pilot guide dated November 1975 FCT 37(IP)-1
Initial Conditions
Altitude: 5000 ft above terrain (minimum)
Airspeed: 210 to 280 knots
Configuration: clean
Stabilizer trim: Note.
Perform on ground first
Do not combine with jammed stabilizer
Do not use electric trim on ground to engage brake
Do not continue any runaway stabilizer trim action beyond 2 units from in trim.
Procedure

Cut out stabilizer trim cutout switches
Oppose trim with smooth control movement.
Retrim manually.
Out of trim Recovery Methods
Use manual trim
Accelerate or decelerate into trim
Use roller coaster (least desirable)
Bank airplane for nose up out of trim
Clean up
Stow stabilizer trim handles
Set stabilizer trim sitches to normal
DISCUSSION
Cutout switches to cutout even before brake engages
Use manual trim on ground to demonstrate brake.
Stabilizer trim wheel brake and release knob
If stabilizer brake or cutout switches fail to stop runaway, grab trim wheel and hold
Discuss manual trimming against electric motor
Smooth elevator; do not jerk
Show "apparent' runaway.
Stabilizer trim warning light, drive motor and clutches
Electric trim in opposition to runaway (not in training)
Isolate fault and use other systems
Manual trim wheels located 90 degrees apart (two-man effort
Trim speed: normal vs autopilot trim, flaps up and down.

It is interesting to note that Boeing state:
Use roller coaster (least desirable). My comment: The whole procedure is complicated and fraught with the danger of getting out of sequence. All the more reason for a competent simulator instructor to lead students step by step through each procedure - including the roller coaster method to recover from a severe out of trim condition
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