How can a trim system be inaccurate?

It can be unusual, counter intuitive, not have the right 'feel' etc.

I described all of the above as '!!!!!e'.

My point is, you can trim the aircraft, even if it is difficult. So it works. I don't see how it is, or can be, 'inaccurate'.

I can only go off my own experience. I learnt to fly on a Tommy. Now I fly an Archer III. I now find the trim system works a treat after my PA38 experience.

So call the trim system what you want. It did me the world of good.

EK

How can a trim system be inaccurate?

When it is virtually impossible to trim off the pressure as required.and turning the wheel results in either over or under trimming, despite one's careful efforts.

By way of comparison, the C152 and C172 both trim accurately, as did your PA38 ny the sound of it.

BTW, please note (CFI too) that I am not knocking the whole PA38 fleet, but commenting from experience, the 4 I flew were similar in this respect and not up to the job.

To reiterate and possibly incur some additional retorts from F3G, the ideal trainer I spoke of was an aircraft with no vices or quirks and therefore an aircraft that would not prepare a student pilot for the unexpected but this point was possibly missed in my conveying it in the way I did.
As for my wishing to be an educationilist, I don't profess to be one and given my limited postings on here, I would rather leave that to those who appear to believe that quantity rather than quality endows them with the ability to be "spot on" every time.;)

Rogcal

I am a professional educator and am relieved to hear that you openly say you are not.

Your honesty is appreciated.

Fuel planning PA38
 

Hi,Just wondering if anyone knows where i can get my hands on a fuel measuring stick for more accurate fuel planning/measuring?I normally just top the tanks up and work on having 4 hours to play with.I remember being told about the cross(x)in the tank`s rear wall.Would it be fair to say the half mark on the "X" give`s 2 hours.Thanks

You may wish to do as I did when I first got my T'Hawk. I purchased one of the clear hollow plastic fuel gauges (the universal model) and progressively logged the levels on the chart that comes with the gauge, as I filled the tanks from empty.

I commenced filling each tank until the fuel at the bottom of the tank had crept up to the point where it was directly below the fuel filler cap and noted how much fuel had been dispensed at this point. I then continued filling the tank in 10ltr stages, marking off on the chart the position the fuel in gauge in relation to the graduations marked on it.

All done on a level surface and extremely time consuming but when completed, an accurate method of determining the fuel quantities in the tanks.

Of course, you could transfer the readings from the chart directly onto the gauge but make sure whatever method you use, the fuel doesn't remove the figures you mark on it. The method I used was to engrave the figures into the gauge and rub some black paint which is not affected by fuel into the engraved marks.

Hope this is of some use.

Thank you
 

Thats brilliant thanks.I`ll have to get one of those fuel tubes/gauges:ok:Out of interest on your tube does the quantity go up in uniform ie 10ltrs=Xcm,20ltrs=twice Xcm ect thanks for any help.I may find it hard emptying the fuel out as i don`t own the a/c:rolleyes:

When learning to drive, most accept the car the particular school has to offer. After the test has been passed, you move on and likely buy something completely different. No problem.

My first three 'gift' flights were in a C152 (EMA and in Florida). Lessons actually started in a Tomahawk (in which I soloed). Certainly not traumatic: just different. I then took my skills test after 8 hours in a PA28. No drama, just enjoyably different.

And so it is I suspect with all aircraft. They are different. They've all got quirks and virtues. A good pilot will master it and enjoy it.

@ Capn Smithy - Fly a Tomahawk. If for some reason it turns out unsuitable for you, then change, but don't be put off by adverse comment. You'll never know unless you try it. :ok:

It would have been great if the 10ltr stages of filling had coincided with a consistant amounts of graduation marks at each increase of 10ltrs but this was not the case.

I'm sure the a/c owners would be happy to assist in this project when they realise the benefits of what you hope to acheive. Perhaps the offer of a "gauge for the plane" as well as your personal gauge would be a way forward!
Good luck.

Thanks.Thats great.I`ll get cracking:ok: Have a nice day

Nice hijacking. ;) Wouldn't this have been better as a new thread?

What!
 

Whats up with posting a question about a PA-38 on a PA-38 topic???????Are you real:D how is this hyjacking,tw*t:D

The OP was asking about using a PA38 for training. All the responses have been in that vain, pros and cons.

OK, so you hijacked the thread by going off topic with a question about a dipstick. Nothing to do with how suitable a Tomahawk is for training.

I merely pointed out politely, that you had hijacked the thread (notice the spelling of hijack, dipstick.)

And the best you can come up with is your puerile vitriol because you don't know any better.

Thanks for the spelling correction:ok: