CFS and FS95/98/2000: How to Use the Trim Controls to Keep Your Aircraft Level (175195)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator: WWII Europe Series 1.0
  • Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 2: WWII Pacific Theater
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000 Professional Edition
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 98
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator for Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q175195

SUMMARY

This article describes how to use the trim controls in the Microsoft Flight Simulator programs listed at the beginning of this article.

The trim controls can be used to correct the following aircraft control problems:
  • You experience difficulty keeping the aircraft level with the artificial horizon (horizontal position indicator).
  • The aircraft continually ascends above, and then descends below the altitude you want to maintain. This is sometimes known as "Porpoising."

MORE INFORMATION

To adjust the trim controls for your aircraft, press the appropriate keys or joystick buttons for your version of Flight Simulator.

All of the keyboard commands for Flight Simulator are listed on the back of the Pilots Handbook.

NOTE: The trim controls are very subtle controls that are adjusted in small increments. You may have to press the trim keys or buttons repeatedly to achieve level flight. In addition, you can easily over-correct the trim controls if you press the trim keys or buttons multiple times without checking how they affect your flight.

The following tables show the default keyboard and joystick button assignments for the trim controls in the different versions of Flight Simulator.

Combat Flight Simulator

ControlKeyboardJoystick
Elevator trim upNum 1Button 10*
Elevator trim downNum 7Button 09*
Aileron trim leftCTRL+Num 4Not assigned
Aileron trim rightCTRL+Num 6Not assigned
Rudder trim leftCTRL+Num 0Not assigned
Rudder trim rightCTRL+Num ENTERNot assigned
* This control is assigned only if you use a game controller with 10 or more buttons.

Flight Simulator 2000

ControlKeyboardJoystick
Elevator trim upNum 1Button 04
Elevator trim downNum 7Button 03
Aileron trim leftCTRL+Num 4Not assigned
Aileron trim rightCTRL+Num 6Not assigned
Rudder trim leftCTRL+Num 0Not assigned
Rudder trim rightCTRL+Num ENTERNot assigned

Flight Simulator 98

ControlKeyboardJoystick
Trim UpNum 1Button 06*
Trim DownNum 7Button 05*
* This control is assigned only if you use a game controller with 10 or more buttons.

Flight Simulator 95

ControlKeyboardJoystick
Trim UpNum 1Button 06*
Trim DownNum 7Button 05*
* This control is assigned only if you use a game controller with 10 or more buttons.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:3/23/2005
Keywords:kbhowto KB175195
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