Mike Shellim 23 July 2022
Last updated 09 August 2023
Supertrim provides a smarter, easier way of adjusting crow compensation. While not as flexible as my Crow aware adaptive trim, it does not require a Lua script.
To understand why Supertrim was conceived, consider the behaviour of pitch trim as crow brakes are applied. We can consider pitch trim as consisting of two components:
The total trim is the sum of the two components.
Base trim and crow compensations are both about pitch trim, yet each has a different means of adjustment. Needless to say, this is confusing when you're just trying to trim the model!
Supertrim allows both the base trim and the compensation to be adjusted using just the elevator trim. So:
This makes the process of trimming really easy. Brakes off, trim, apply brakes, trim. Done!
Supertrim relies on a cool feature of OpenTX: a trim can be repurposed to alternate between updating its native value, or updating a GVAR. This is accomplished via the AdjustGV special function with source={trim}. For Supertrim, we use the elevator trim.
While the special function is active, the native trim is held at its last value.
Special Functions
SF1 switch=L1 - Adjust GV1 Source=TrmE -- trim updates GV1
For Supertrim, the GVAR supplies the weight of the compensation mix. Here is the full code:
GVARS
GV1 - min=0%, max=40% -- supplies compensation value
CH2:elevator
+= Source=I2:Ele Weight=-100% -- elevator input + base trim
+= Source=Thr Weight=+GV1 Offset=−GV1 -- compensation
Logical Switches
L1 Thr < 100 -- true when brakes deployed
Special Functions
SF1 switch=L1 - Adjust GV1 Source=TrmE -- trim updates GV1
The details :
When trimming with brakes on, the brakes should be at 75 - 100%, in other words near maximum compensation.
The amount of compensation is normally non-linear with respect to crow, so a curve will usually be included in the compensation mix. Nothing special here.
The code above assumes a single flight mode. However, the technique is ideal for setups with multiple flight modes, of which one is a dedicated 'crow' mode.
The base trim in crow mode will be shared from another flight mode, normally 'cruise'. Sharing of trim settings between flight modes is configured in the Flight Modes menu. For more info see Advanced trims.
A demo can be dowloaded here (X9D profile). If using the Companion sim, note that dragging the trim handle doesn't work when adjusting compensation. Instead, click on the arrowheads at each end of the trim sliders.
At the time of writing, Supertrim is integrated in the latest DLG, DLG6S and F3F templates. The plan is to include it future versions of the remaining templates, where applicable.
For more info, see Advanced trims, in particular the section "Using a trim to update a GVAR".