By Richard Lindberg

1 Alignment of wing.

2 Incidence of wing.

3 Alignment of stab.

4 Incidence of stab.

5 Engine Thrustline - all directions. Is it correct?

6 Ailerons - TE aligned with wing TE. Straight.

7 Elevators 1 - TE aligned with chordline of Stab.

8 Elevators 2 - TE aligned with each other.

9 Rudder - Aligned with FUSE centerline.

10 Control Travels 1 - same BOTH directions - all surfaces.

11 Control Travels 2 - "balanced" aileron and elevator throws.*

12 Radio - Expo on aileron, elevator, rudder, at LEAST 25% to start.

13 CENTER OF GRAVITY (balance point) [Static] <empty tank> Set per the manufacturer, your experience, then FORWARD at least 1/4".*

14 Landing Gear - check EVERY piece. Align wheel track.

15 Control system - check EVERY piece. Loctite, glue, tighten as needed, then check again!!

16 Canopy, belly pan, cowl, prop, spinner, tailwheel -Check every screw, washer, nut, bolt, latch. They have to work HERE, to work THERE!!!!

17 Tank plumbing-tank tubes, lines, clunks, tees, checkvalves, plugs.

18 CENTER OF GRAVITY - see step 13. Write down someplace.

19 CONTROL MOVEMENTS - correct directions, and amounts. Write down.

20 Battery check - battery check - battery check!!!

21 If Xmtr permits, "copy" this airplane to another, save with a version name, and KEEP it there UNCHANGED!!! It is your ORIGINAL, in case you 'program' yourself into an unflyable condition!

The items marked * are based on my personal experience and are my preferences. I like a balanced feel to elevator and aileron, hence the setup I listed. Same for expo. In most control systems we use these days, you need about 25% or so to get to the "linear" travel point on the system you have. So, if you set 30% expo, remember it's only 5% "real" expo. The reason I recommend the forward CG is that many fliers mistakenly set the CG on their airplanes too far AFT. Until you have PERSONALLY tried a slightly forward CG (like suggested above) you won't believe how much BETTER your airplane will fly ....trust me on this ...try it, you'll like it!!

BTW - Item 20 - EVERYTHING associated with your airborne AND transmitter batteries needs to be checked by you at least twice, then your spouse or Significant Other, then whoever is at the field when you put the thing together. Trust me!!!

Now, this is not a comprehensive trimming chart, but it is a handy reference checklist for that new plane you're either building or preparing to haul to the field. By the way - if you aren't ALREADY in the habit of writing down your particular airplane setup, begin now. Knowing where you started from makes things a LOT easier when you are at the field tweaking everything. And don't forget to DATE your lists. The important idea is to keep a record of where you ARE, so you can more easily figure out where you WENT.

Happy building and flying!!!