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    Helicopter Force Trim - Image 1

    Description

    I was really disappointed to hear the devs say in their last stream that the H125 they modeled didn't have any trim, and that was the reason for the one in the sim to lack the functionality.
    Maybe they didn't realize, but I think what most people meant is that the helicopter is missing its force trim release functionality, present in other helicopters along with the more airplane-like "beep trim". I assume it's because internally they modeled the force trim over the regular trim system, and one cannot exist without the other, whereas the real H125 most definitely has force trim release, even versions without SAS that lack the hat switch beep trim. The button is even modeled and animated on the cyclic!

    This addon intercepts MSFS2024's key events and implements a trim system separate from the native one. This allows every helicopter (in theory) to be trimmed using the Force Trim Release button, and to fine trim using a hat switch bound to Rotor Lateral and Longitudinal Trim. Resetting the trim, unlike in the native implementation, is gradual and the button has to be held down or tapped to re-center the cyclic. This allows you to compensate and reset the trim in-flight without upsetting the aircraft with a jerky motion of the cyclic.

    With the 0.2.0 update comes a new optional implementation that I think is easier and more pleasant to use, but you are free to continue using the "Hold mode" by changing to it through the Toggle Rudder Trim key. The addon always starts in the DCS-inspired mode. The disabled mode should theoretically stop the mod from interfering with the H225.

    Pressing the Toggle Rudder Trim key will cycle through: DCS-inspired, Hold mode, Disabled.

    I hope these are welcome changes

     

    Installation:

    • Drop the lukez-forcetrim folder into your community folder and start MSFS 2024
    • Go into the control settings and bind the following keys on your joystick:
      • Force Trim Release Button Set
      • Rotor Trim Reset : after binding your desired key, click on the gear icon next to it and check the first item, "Input repetition"
      • Rotor Longitudinal Trim Inc and Dec
      • Rotor Lateral Trim Inc and Dec
      • Toggle Rudder Trim : this key is the mode selector key

    How it works:

    Hold Mode:

    • Stabilize in forward flight and set desired attitude
    • Press and hold the Force Trim Release Button Set (bindings under "control trimming surfaces")
    • While holding FTR, move the joystick back to center. Note that the in-cockpit cyclic doesn't move
    • Once centered, release FTR. The helicopter is now trimmed.

    DCS inspired Mode:

    • Stabilize in forward flight and set desired attitude
    • Press the Force Trim Release Button Set once
    • The trim will automatically come in as the joystick is released to center, without the need for any key to be held
    • Once the joystick reaches center, trimming stops and full control of the cyclic is regained

    Fine trimming can be done by binding Rotor lateral trim inc/dec and Rotor longitudinal trim inc/dec.
    After changing attitude, the same steps can be repeated to trim again
    To reset the trim, hold the "Rotor Trim Reset" key. Holding down, or tapping this key will smoothly return the cyclic to center, allowing you to compensate and avoid destabilizing flight while resetting.

     

    I hope you find this useful while we wait for the devs to implement this natively for the H125 as well.

    I tested the addon on a few flights with every standard edition helicopter, and completed one career mission on the Cabri and the addons worked properly. Unfortunately I don't have access to deluxe edition helicopters and above. Nonetheless, there could be bugs, in which case please let me know so I can fix them.

    Comments(76)

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    5 days ago

    Does this also work if I create the bindings via Simvars? I only use MobiFlight. Or only via the InSim bindings.

    10 months ago

    Hello Luke,
    Unfortunately, this no longer works in 2024 latest beta versions.
    I've configured exactly as you described but it doesn't work. I've made sure it's enabled correctly and identified as a mod. Please take a look at this since this mod such a good addition.
    Thanks.
    LukezAuthor

    7 months ago

    Sorry for the late response, I don't log on here very often lately. I am currently running the latest SU4 beta build and the mod works fine on the H125, which is what it was originally intended for.
    If you're still having this issue, feel free to shoot me a text on discord @lukez3218.
    One known issue is, if the helicopter implements custom flight controls by intercepting joystick inputs, it's going to cause issues, such as on the H225, H145 or CowanSim H125. In those cases the mod can be disabled using the Toggle Rudder Trim binding

    11 months ago

    Brilliant piece of code here, works like a charm.

    about 1 year ago

    to clarify, if you use the mode switch to disable force trim, pitch control WILL work on the Cowansim CH1. thank you very much for adding this mode so I don't have to remove the addon every time i'm in a helo where it causes issues.

    about 1 year ago

    this is breaking pitch control on the cowansim CH1 in 2024. i have roll but pitch is not responding.

    about 1 year ago

    This is so much easier to fly, but I am having trouble figuring out which mode I am in. Can you separate the three modes into three different keys? Maybe RUDDER_TRIM_DISABLED_TOGGLE could be just for turning it off. And another could be for DCS mode and the other key could be fore Default mode. Anyway, thanks for making this.

    EDIT: I can confirm that the OFF mode shuts off and you're able to fly the H225 without interference. When going into the MISC page of the aircraft, you can actually see when the OFF mode is activated because when you move the cyclic, the "HANDS ON" notification comes on.

    about 1 year ago

    Tried this on the larger helicopters like ch47 and the skycrane. Either doesnt work or is too much for the inertia of those helicopters without an SAS. Looks like it works well in the h125

    about 1 year ago

    Both of those are working great for me. Did you change the modes with the Toggle Rudder Trim binding and try them all? Sometimes you have to hit it a few times to get it to activate properly. Otherwise, I've been flying the CH-47 and S-64 for months with this plugin just fine, even in SU3 beta.

    about 1 year ago

    Could it have another 'mode' that is more like the real operation? I.e. the force trim release has to be held whilst the stick is moved to make an input change and, when released no further input is taken from the stick allowing it to return to centre.

    about 1 year ago

    I just tested it with MSFS2024, and for the most part it works fine. I like the finer graduation of controls, especially trim reset. Great work!

    about 1 year ago

    Thank you for the mod unfortunately for me I couldn't get it to work in the H-125 haven't tried any of the other helicopters yet I might be doing something wrong even though I followed all the steps I think I might need more help from you Many thanks for all your great work and please keep it up without you another guys helping all the flights SIM community would be lost MANY tanks regards Mike 16

    about 1 year ago

    I think the latest msfs2024 update might have broken it as the keybindings don't allow me to set a force trim release button set key - not sure, can someone else confirm this or am I doing something wrong? nvm I discovered that the flyinside bell 206 is showing as an airplane so it wont let me bind helicopter controls

    about 1 year ago

    Regarding the B206 from FlyIinside, I noticed that too. It makes it unusable. Regarding the Force Trim Release it does not seem to work ( February 2025)

    about 1 year ago

    Makes the helicopters so much better to fly! Thanks!

    over 1 year ago

    for it works with spring or force sensor sticks the trigger must create temporal dead zone from cyclic position to the center, when we push the trigger, helicopter must lost control inside the dead zone, so that way you don't need to move it to the center, just relax hand on the joy of sensor joy, or just take the spring stick inside the dead zone. and then you can remove the hand from cyclic. after that dead zone must disappear. and then virtual center will trimmed in the right position. good modeled stuff like flyinside or togo, don't need it, because there absent instability on the cruise torque, and you can easy trim it and fly almost without touch it with or without force trim. if model not so good like in new kiowa, force trim or trim busters can just make life more easy, but you still need pretty much correct cyclic as minimum or cyclic and collective.
    for these one wheel bicycle best way is use ffb stick with force trim trigger on it. i remember long time ago i fly dcs heli with spring or force sensor stick i don't remember, and there works that thing as good as possible with spring/force sensor joy. i so bad in heli world, i don't think something can helps me. thanx anyway.

    over 1 year ago

    Génial, Merci beaucoup

    over 1 year ago

    now working perfectly with all stock helos. just add the toggle rudder trim button to a switch to cycle it on the 225. This would be a KILLER mod for aircraft, BTW.

    over 1 year ago

    This is wonderful, I definitely prefer the hold mode although it would be more realistic if it worked the other way around, holding down the FTR during flight and releasing it to lock. We helicopter pilots keep our thumbs on the FTR all day long.
    MSFS 2020MSFS 2024

    Helicopter Force Trim

    This add-on introduces a Force Trim functionality for helicopters in Microsoft Flight Simulator, specifically addressing the absence of this feature in the default H125 model. It allows users to stabilize their helicopter in flight by utilizing a dedicated Force Trim Release button and provides fine-tuning with rotor lateral and longitudinal trim settings. The system aims to enhance the trimming experience by offering a gradual reset mechanism, improving in-flight handling without abrupt movements. Installation is straightforward, requiring key bindings for optimal use across various helicopters in the simulator.

    Downloads2K
    Version0.2.0
    File Size44.68 KB
    Published1 year ago
    Updated1 year ago

    User Reviews

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    17 reviews

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    More Information

    Simulator
    MSFS2024
    Sub-CategoryImprovement Mods

    Version History

    - Implemented a new force trim mode inspired by one of the DCS implementations. - Added the ability to disable the mod on the fly which should hopefully not interfere with the H225 (I cannot verify this works as intended, if you own the H225 please let me know). - Added the usage of the "RUDDER_TRIM_DISABLED_TOGGLE" key as a mode selector key. - Using the key mentioned above will cycle through the following modes: DCS-like, Hold mode (how it worked in the first version) and Disabled. Unfortunately, at the moment there is no practical way to display messages or build a GUI for a WASM module, so there is no feedback given when the mode is changed.