Yes I agree - get a new instructor, your current one has
no clue what they are waffling on about... more drag indeed!
Yes, your plane's fixed trim tab needs adjusting. Yes your aeroplane has no idea that it is being pushed by a wind from 090 deg. It flies on happily as Mr Farley said with the mass of air; the wind does not push the just the tail, it pushes the whole of the aeroplane and dispaces it sideways while still facing 360 deg. And you still need the ball in the middle.
As I always like to tell my students: "the aeroplane doesn't know the wind is blowing!"
It will accelerate until thrust equals drag, whether this means standing still, going backwards or sideways. But it should always be flown with the ball in the middle in normal flight for minimum drag and hence maximum range.
With the ball in the middle you present a minimum of side surface to the wind and hence drag is minimised. We practice this using a piece a drift string taped to the nose of a twin aircraft while practicing one engine out drills (well I haven't practiced it personally But I have read about it...)
Hummmph!!
