HMMM ....
He's possibly not going like, let alone agree with, some of what I'm about to present
.... BUT .... I feel obliged to share what I've determined as of today .... based on my reviewing certain details for benefit of "everyone" generally.
FIRST AND FOREMOST THOUGH ....
In respect of the GOLDING RED/WHITE MD80 panels. He's "quite right" in regard to what he's identified (above) as being the elevator trim setting indicatior (something I'd actually missed .... or just plain forgotten about with the passage of time) .... and it "does" indicate in response to manual or AP controlled trim input.
INCIDENTALLY ....
- Using the SPADA semi-EFIS MD80 panel (which is very similar to both GOLDING versions) .... the elevator trim setting is displayed (more clearly) on the Center Pedestal sub panel and somewhat to the left of the spoiler lever.
- Using the SOUTHEY EFIS B717-200/MD80-80 panel .... the elevator trim setting indication is displayed (just as obviously) on the 4th EFIS screen .... only when the selector knob for this particular screen (localted above it) is set to it's fully left detente.
I'm sure we can all agree on this much (above)
.... BUT ... some of what follows might be subject to opposing opinion ....
This afternoon I commenced what I suggested I'd do (above) .... in respect of checking T/O elevator trim settings on each of the 2 GOLDING (RED and WHITE MD80 panel versions .... as well as the SPADA semi-EFIS MD80 panel version too .... with a view to, possibly then, incorporating additional information (regarding the best MGW T/O elevator trim values for each of these simulations) into my established flying guides .... BUT .... upon commencing this task it quickly became apparent, to me, that the values he deems necessary to set, on his own set up, in order to achieve a desirable result simply "DO NOT", in any way, paralell mine.
I performed checks on the MD81, -82, and -83 simulations .... which also included retesting 2 other new versions of these aircraft in the form of the MD82-SF and MD83-SF freighters that HJG will soon be releasing.
Each of these aircraft types vary primarily in regard to their simulated MGW .... with some minor engine thrust variations applicable in some cases too.
I didn't perform checks using the 2 MD87's, or the MD88, or any of the MD90-30's either. I simply didn't have time today, but, reviewing ing the HJG MD81, -82, and -83 simulations, is, I think, sufficient for the purpose of presenting this particular story
Using the MD81, -82, or -83 .... and ajusting the weight for each simulations in accordance with the MGW loadings recommended within my flying guides, I concluded that the "maximum" T/O elevator trim setting, using my own set up (a SAITEK X52 FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM), was a +7 units indication .... and this setting also corresponded with an extinguished "STAB OUT OF TRIM" lamp indication (as featured within the 2 GOLDING panels only). The SPADA panel doesn't seem to feature such a trim related anunciator lamp, or if it does, then I've missed it .... and whilst the elevator trim value is constantly visible within an EFIS screen oo the SOUTHEY panel version (provided that screens selector knob is set to its left detente), it too, doesn't seem to feature such an anunciator lamp either, however, a bad or out of trim condition is indicasted per a magenta coloured trim indication within the EFIS window .... so far as I'm aware.
Using this +7 units elevator trim value .... I'd no difficulty, whatsoever, rotating either of these simulations within the 150-155 KIAS range (depending on the simulated weight of each aircraft version) .... or becomming airborne within the 160-165 KIAS range (once again depending on the simulated weight of each aircraft versiom). Additionaslly .... I could even do this, very easily, using a +5 units elevator trim setting also .... although I admit that the MD82 (probably due to its slightly higher recommended fuel adjustment/loading) seems to favour more a T/O elevator trim setting of around +7 units using either of the 4 current HJG hosted MD80/90 panel versions.
When I set a T/O elevator trim value of +12 units (or there-abouts) for any of these MD80 simulations, then, for me, such a setting did still work, but, it also resulted in .... (1) a "STAB OUT OF TRIM" indication (GOLDING panels only) .... and (2) a much higher initial ROC than I condsidered desirable after T/O and prior to clean-up (gear and flap retraction) .... hence my continuing to recomend a MGW T/O elevator trim setting of between +5 and +7 units, and which, for me, resulted in a an approximkately 1500-2000 FPM initial ROC using flap 15 (I think it is) .... or at least 3 knothes of flap.
SO THEN .... there we have it folks. As I've, personally, seen/experienced it, again, today. And all of which concurrs with my original 2011 pre-release observations for these simulations.
Based of these results the most I'd ever recommend anyone do ....
"IF", for any reason, one feels they might have any such problem needing to be resolved .... is to do precisely as follows ....
.... BUT .... don't be lured into performing any edits other than those "suggested" above .... because I simply don't believe it's necessary I don't doubt that "RAN1220" is experiencing issues with T/O elevator trim settings and related performance using the HJG supplied MD80 simulations.
Why that should be case .... I simply couldn't hazard a guess .... other than to, regrettably, once again, "suggest", that what he's experiencing is, possibly, related to his own set-up, or rather, the way in which it's interpreting some the HJG MD80 data .... for whatever peculiar and yet to be determined reason might apply. I can't think of any other reason
.... and todays review further reassures me in regard to what I'm stating/promoting here
SORRY FOLKS .... for my length and persistance with this particular case, but, feeling a degree of obligation toward HJG, and this community also, I don't think I could put myself out further if I tried .... even if what I've communicated isn't what some people want to hear let alone agree with
I won't now be editing any of my flying guides .... since it doesn't seem to be necessary.
I also won't be contributing anything further to this particular thread (either) .... "unless (once again) any real need arises for me to have to do so. Mark C
AKL/NZ