Which Trim Tab Kit Is Right for You?
ㅤStandard Trim Tab Kit With Servos: this kit is splashproof and suitable for fast aircraft. The standard servo weighs 1.8 oz (51 grams) and lives inside a slim shell. Inside this kit, you will find everything you need to get flying, including the adhere and rivet mounting option.
Standard Trim Tab Kit With Waterproof Servos: this kit is suitable for slower amphibian aircraft where servo weight is not an issue when balancing flying surfaces. The IP-67 waterproof servo weighs 3.0 oz (85 grams) and lives inside a shell. Inside this kit, you will find everything you need to get flying, including the adhere and rivet mounting option.
Flush Mount Trim Tab Kit With Waterproof Servos: this kit is suitable for pilots that don't want their servos to be visible on their aileron, elevator, and rudder. Inside this kit, you will find everything you need to get flying, including the flush mounting option and IP-67 waterproof servos.
Trim Tab Size: please specify your aircraft brand and model during checkout so we can send you the right trim tab size.
Fabric Aircraft Installation: you can easily install the trim tabs on your fabric aircraft. We will include a predrilled curved hinge PN 3900108 and 3/32" rivets inside your kit (pop rivets are used to install the hinge to the tube.)
YAW Damper Add-On: you will need a YAW damper if your aircraft is unstable around its vertical axis and you want to inhibit its movement (this will keep your aircraft coordinated during all phases of flight.) It's also useful for aircraft with adverse YAW when initiating a turn with the aileron. This add-on has a servo cable wired to an extra connector in the back of the SuperECO Autopilot or ECOTrim System and has no operational parameters (such as heading bug or selection); instead, it will be active or inactive. When inactive, it will work as a YAW trim, helping you remove prolonged pressure on the pedals. In this case, you can trim your YAW using the knob. When active, the SuperECO or ECOTrim System will maintain the airplane coordinated, which means the ball will stay in the center (even in turbulence.) The rudder will also turn accordingly to keep the ball in the center. When adding the YAW damper to your order, we will add everything you need to get flying and match your existing trim tab kit configuration.
Building Your Own Trim Tabs: you must ensure that your trim tabs have enough authority to fly your aircraft so long as you can easily override them, even at full-scale deflection. We recommend you read our installation manuals and watch our trim tab installation video before you start building your trim tabs.
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Reduce Your Workload When Flying
You can now adjust the pitch, roll, and yaw of your light-sport or experimental aircraft even when your SuperECO Autopilot is disconnected
You Are Always in Control
Unlike traditional trim controllers, the ECOTrim System doesn’t have any mechanical links with flight controls; therefore, you can easily override it at any time by taking control of your stick or yoke
The ECOTrim System Is Your Ideal Trim Tab Companion
Mount it on your panel as a stand-alone instrument or connect it to your pilot and/or copilot stick or yoke with a pre-wired harness to start using your hat switch for trimming
Pair It With Your SuperECO Autopilot
The ECOTrim System is fully compatible with the SuperECO Autopilot via the DB15 RS-232 port or it can also be used as a stand-alone instrument
Install It in Less Than a Day
The carbon fiber trim tabs and servos can be bolted, riveted, or adhered using industrial-strength waterproof adhesives to the aileron, elevator, and rudder and the ECOTrim System can be easily mounted on your panel as a 3 1/8” or 2 1/4" in stand-alone standard instrument
Seamless System Integration
The ECOTrim System is fully independent of your primary flight controls, which makes it extremely reliable, light, safe, and easy to install
What About Flutter?
To avoid flutter, you must rebalance your aileron, elevator, and rudder after installing your trim tabs. You must also ensure that you have selected the ideal trim tab size for your aircraft. After installation, you should be able to maintain full manual control authority even at full-scale deflection. We recommend that you watch our trim tab installation video for more information
Try It for 30 Days, Risk Free
The ECOTrim System comes with a risk-free money-back guarantee within 30 days after you receive your unit plus a 1-year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship
What's inside the Box?
The standard kit comes with everything you need to get flying. If you already own a SuperECO Autopilot Kit, you only need to purchase the ECOTrim System controller as a stand-alone device
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use it during IFR conditions?
No, the ECOTrim System can only be used for day VFR flight guidance, IFR is not approved
How does it handle turbulance?
The trim tabs are aerodynamic amplifiers. The effort exerted on them is minimal but the end result is exponential. They are fast-acting and thus produce an instant reaction on flying surfaces. That's why they are so good at handling turbulence
How often do I need to replace my trim tabs?
We use Hitec metal gear servos and carbon fiber trim tabs riveted to aviation-grade hinges. There is no reason why they should wear, in fact, our test airplane has over 500 AP hours since 2015 when we first installed the RC servo trim tabs. These servos have yet to be replaced
Can I make my own trim tabs?
Yes, you need to make sure that your aileron, elevator, rudder, and trim tabs are balanced to avoid flutter at high speeds. You must have manual control authority even at full-scale deflection of your trim tabs
Does the trim tab weight affect the balance of my control surfaces?
Yes, although the trim tab servo kit weighs 5 ounces, it may affect the balance of your control surfaces. To avoid flutter, surfaces need to be balanced. If you experience flutter, immediately reduce the speed of the aircraft by reducing power and raising the nose
Do I need to balance my aileron and elevator?
Yes, all flying surfaces should be balanced after the trim tab is installed. Some people remove the servo and install it further forward to reduce weight and counterweight
How much speed can it handle?
The standard trim tab kit is ideal for airplanes cruising at speeds between 100 and 180 knots. For aircraft outside these cruising speeds, please email us at info@aircraftautomation.com for custom trim tabs
What happens when the ECOTrim System is off?
When the ECOTrim System is off, the trim tabs are still active. The system will correct for excessive or unwanted pilot inputs beyond a roll or pitch limit
How does the yaw damper work?
The yaw damper has a servo cable wired to an extra connector in the back of the ECOTrim System. When inactive, it will work as a yaw trim, helping you remove prolonged pressure on the pedals. In this case, you will be able to trim your yaw using the knob. When active, the ECOTrim System will maintain the airplane coordinated, which means that the rudder will turn accordingly to maintain the ball in the center even during turbulence
Can I use it side by side with the iLevil AP?
Yes, the ECOTrim System also integrates with the iLevil AP. They talk to each other to synchronize Heading Bug, Altitude Preselect, Vertical speed, and Barometric pressure. They are connected via the RS-232 port
Is it compatible with Ray Allen’s trim system?
No, Ray Allen is designed as a very responsive trim; therefore, it is very slow reacting, and not suitable for autopilot use. Furthermore, their servos have a different interface