To set up a trainer to use to teach others basic flight skills takes a little time and patience however it will be well worth you time and effort.

      The data contained in this article was tested on a kit built Aerostar 40 constructed by Jake.

     A good teaching trainer should  be a solid and predictable flyer that is easy to control during take offs and landings.  The ideal trainer will run straight down the runway during take off and lift off under full throttle and settle into a gentle climb, setting into a nice flat and level flight when the throttle is adjusted to achieve cruising speed and settle into a nice controlled downward glide path when engine is at or just above idle speed. 

     I am not going to go into details of how to balance and adjust control surfaces in this article.  I am targeting pilots who enjoy using their plane to teach and train others in basic flight and assume those at this level of expertise know how to perform these tasks without my wordy input.

STEP ONE  (Balance)

     The first step is to check the balance.   Make sure the aircraft balances at the point suggested by the manufacturer.  The plane should be balanced horizontally and laterally.  Don't forget to balance your prop. 

STEP TWO  (Electronic trimming)

     It is important to center the control surfaces and make sure all the transmitter trim buttons are centered (except the throttle of course) so you have plenty of room for trimming the plane in flight.

     Pick a nice quiet windless day to do your in flight trimming and head for the field.   The plane should fly flat and level at or just above half throttle.  This condition I will refer to as cruising speed in the rest of this article.

     The first take off with your trainer will be unpredictable so be prepared for anything.  Once you are airborne at a safe altitude (3 mistakes high) adjust your throttle for cruising speed and maintain a flat level flight.  Adjust your trim buttons as needed to achieve this flat and level condition while "hands off" on the transmitter.    With this accomplished insure that your trim buttons will not be disturbed and return to the shop

STEP THREE  (Mechanical trimming)

     Back at the shop turn on your transmitter and plane and make mechanical adjustments to your pushrods to maintain the trimmed settings when your transmitter trims are returned to center. 
     My method is to measure the exact position of the trimmed control surface before moving the trim button back to the middle and then adjusting the push rods to bring the control surface back to setting.  

 Do this to each control surface and return to the field to test you settings.  You may have to repeat this process a time or two before you get it where you want it.

STEP FOUR  (Set up the glide)

     I will assume you have successfully achieved proper trim for your trainer and will begin this step at 3 mistakes high during flat and level flight at cruising speed. 
     Set up your trainer to fly flat and level straight down the runway about 100 feet up at cruising speed.  When the plane crosses in front of you chop the throttle to about 2 clicks above idle and watch the plane.  The plane should settle into a shallow and predictable descent that would be a suitable glide path for gentle landing needing only a slight flair just before setting the main gear down.  If this is set up properly with a little practice you will look like a real ace when landing that trainer.

STEP FIVE  (Fix the glide)

     The secret to arriving at the perfect glide path for landing is in the balance.

STEP SIX (Adjust the climb rate)

     Get back into that cruising mode.  (3 mistakes high - 1/2 throttle - flat and level)  Go full throttle and watch the plane.  The plane should climb nicely at a rate similar to that nice glide we set up in the last step.

Now your plane is ready for the student pilot giving him/her a good learning experience.

Step 2 (Electronic Trim)

Step 3 (Mechanical Trimming)

Step 4 (Checking the Glide)

Step 5 (Adjusting the Glide)