Cockpit Trim Indicator

[Matthew P]

Hey guys, have a 65E, don't have an issue trimming the aircraft at any speed, but the trim position indicator doesn't go the full up/full down markings... I've found the adjustment, but ended up setting the trim for takeoff and then adjusting the indicator to the takeoff position...so while the indicator doesn't go full up or full down with the trim, atleast it's accurate for takeoff position...is that what others have experienced?

 

V/r

 

Matt

Edited Saturday at 02:51 PM by Matthew P

[TheAv8r]

On 5/31/2025 at 9:22 AM, Matthew P said:

Hey guys, have a 65E, don't have an issue trimming the aircraft at any speed, but the trim position indicator doesn't go the full up/full down markings... I've found the adjustment, but ended up setting the trim for takeoff and then adjusting the indicator to the takeoff position...so while the indicator doesn't go full up or full down with the trim, atleast it's accurate for takeoff position...is that what others have experienced?

 

V/r

 

Matt

Also have a 65E, honestly, the takeoff trim position has never "felt good" in my plane, so I trimmed it to my own visual setting where it flies off the runway better. It will go full up/full down though. You can always back this up by looking out at the elevators, the elevator should be level with the tail in the takeoff position.

[Matthew P]

5 hours ago, TheAv8r said:

Also have a 65E, honestly, the takeoff trim position has never "felt good" in my plane, so I trimmed it to my own visual setting where it flies off the runway better. It will go full up/full down though. You can always back this up by looking out at the elevators, the elevator should be level with the tail in the takeoff position.

Thanks, I was told by a few Mooney people that the takeoff position of the elevator should have the weight 1/2 way below the tail...is this not the case?

[PT20J]

15 hours ago, Matthew P said:

Thanks, I was told by a few Mooney people that the takeoff position of the elevator should have the weight 1/2 way below the tail...is this not the case?

You can check this for yourself. Set the trim so that the elevator is in trail and see if it takes off better. On a J, I know that trail is the correct position for takeoff trim. 

[65MooneyPilot]

Take off trim moves based on CG and Flap setting. I realize in a short body Mooney the range is not large but it will change some. So note the CG and flap setting. Mooney recommends taking off with flaps. Some pilots do not. So keep this in mind when you are setting the configuration for takeoff.

[robert7467]

I was thinking about this myself.. Since the yoke moves, maybe cut out a stick to proper length and use that to set to "takeoff" trim? I don't truck my trim indicator as well. Using that as a measuring device to set proper trim would prevent surprise nose up departures  

[M20F-1968]

On 5/31/2025 at 10:22 AM, Matthew P said:

Hey guys, have a 65E, don't have an issue trimming the aircraft at any speed, but the trim position indicator doesn't go the full up/full down markings... I've found the adjustment, but ended up setting the trim for takeoff and then adjusting the indicator to the takeoff position...so while the indicator doesn't go full up or full down with the trim, atleast it's accurate for takeoff position...is that what others have experienced?

 

V/r

 

Matt

That is all you need.  Just get accustomed to how it reads and set it accordingly.

John Breda

[Echo]

3 hours ago, M20F-1968 said:

That is all you need.  Just get accustomed to how it reads and set it accordingly.

John Breda

This.  Experiment with where it "should be" (take off trim indicator) and set it there.  Does it really matter if a little above or below.  I am just not that anal retentive, but understand others are.  Not worth the hassle here IMO.  If a little heavy on take off, trim.  It will vary speed at lift off vs. weight.  Just trim it as needed.  Now if it is max trim and indicating take off that is another "thing" entirely.

[Hank]

Here's where the flaps in my 1970 C move to at the Takeoff setting. I only use it when loaded heavy, or on a short runway (i.e., a 2000' grass strip i used to visit; taking off from my obstructed 3000' home base was no flaps).

[cliffy]

IIRC takeoff flaps is 15 degrees and full landing flaps is 33 degrees

The trim setting will vary with CG location (i.e. one pilot vs two up front or seats full. Maybe by a significant margin. 

The Takeoff setting on the gauge is a rough estimate and will not be perfect for all occasions

One can get close by trimming for say 70 MPH over the fence and then trimming down a couple of pushes for takeoff trim

On short bodies elevator near "faired " with the stab is close to takeoff trim (slightly nose up is best -1/2 elevator weight down is real close most of the time).

Always remember that if the trim is all the way nose down the airplane will NEVER lift off the ground. You'll go off the end of the runway trying to lift the nose if you don't shut it down early enough. It has happened more than once.

If your elevator throws have not been verified in years by using a travel board maybe its time to recheck them. Refer to the TCDS for your model and serial number for the correct throws. Some change inside the model type by year of manufacture. 

  

[Matthew P]

2 hours ago, Hank said:

Here's where the flaps in my 1970 C move to at the Takeoff setting. I only use it when loaded heavy, or on a short runway (i.e., a 2000' grass strip i used to visit; taking off from my obstructed 3000' home base was no flaps).

Thanks, flaps aren't the issue, it's trim

[Hank]

27 minutes ago, Matthew P said:

Thanks, flaps aren't the issue, it's trim

Sorry, can't take a picture of that . . . . Just the cockpit indicator 

[Matthew P]

14 hours ago, cliffy said:

IIRC takeoff flaps is 15 degrees and full landing flaps is 33 degrees

The trim setting will vary with CG location (i.e. one pilot vs two up front or seats full. Maybe by a significant margin. 

The Takeoff setting on the gauge is a rough estimate and will not be perfect for all occasions

One can get close by trimming for say 70 MPH over the fence and then trimming down a couple of pushes for takeoff trim

On short bodies elevator near "faired " with the stab is close to takeoff trim (slightly nose up is best -1/2 elevator weight down is real close most of the time).

Always remember that if the trim is all the way nose down the airplane will NEVER lift off the ground. You'll go off the end of the runway trying to lift the nose if you don't shut it down early enough. It has happened more than once.

If your elevator throws have not been verified in years by using a travel board maybe its time to recheck them. Refer to the TCDS for your model and serial number for the correct throws. Some change inside the model type by year of manufacture. 

  

Thanks..

[Mark942]

I have a 64E.  My Trim indicator works fine, but it is difficult to really look at since it's located down by my shins, and it is not illuminated.  I practiced takeoffs until I had a setting that I liked the most.  Then I placed a 1/2 inch Magic Marker line along the edge of the cover that goes directly over the tail hinge and slides along the tail as trim is changed.  Now, looking at this "indicator" mark is simply a part of my walk around checklist.  I also filed a small 1/16 inch rounded notch in the edge of the trim wheel in the cabin.  I can "feel" this notch as I adjust the trim. I know it should be at 12 o-clock high with the mark at the edge of the cover.  Very fool proof, and intuitive feedback to me about where the trim is set.  If the "indicator mark" starts to fade, it takes 2 minutes about once a year to freshen it up.  Just how I do it.

[Matthew P]

40 minutes ago, Mark942 said:

I have a 64E.  My Trim indicator works fine, but it is difficult to really look at since it's located down by my shins, and it is not illuminated.  I practiced takeoffs until I had a setting that I liked the most.  Then I placed a 1/2 inch Magic Marker line along the edge of the cover that goes directly over the tail hinge and slides along the tail as trim is changed.  Now, looking at this "indicator" mark is simply a part of my walk around checklist.  I also filed a small 1/16 inch rounded notch in the edge of the trim wheel in the cabin.  I can "feel" this notch as I adjust the trim. I know it should be at 12 o-clock high with the mark at the edge of the cover.  Very fool proof, and intuitive feedback to me about where the trim is set.  If the "indicator mark" starts to fade, it takes 2 minutes about once a year to freshen it up.  Just how I do it.

Thanks