Definition
A pilot-adjustable system that relieves the control pressure required to hold the elevator in a desired position, allowing the airplane to maintain a chosen pitch attitude or airspeed without continuous force on the control yoke or stick. It is typically operated by a trim wheel, crank, or electric switch in the cockpit and works by deflecting a small trim tab on the elevator (or by repositioning a movable horizontal stabilizer) so the airflow itself holds the elevator where the pilot wants it.
Plain English
A small adjustment that lets you take your hand off the yoke without the nose pitching up or down. You set it once for the pitch you want, and the airplane stays there on its own.
Context Anchor
You use elevator trim during normal flight, especially after changing power, airspeed, climb, descent, or level-flight settings.
Derivation
‘Trim’ comes from an Old English word meaning to make neat or balanced. In flying, trimming the airplane means balancing out the control forces so the pilot doesn’t have to fight the controls.
Why Pilots Care
Correct elevator trim reduces pilot workload, prevents fatigue, and helps maintain precise control during climbs, descents, and cruise.
Grounding Statement
After you set the airplane in the climb, descent, or level flight condition you want, elevator trim removes the steady push or pull you would otherwise have to hold.
Intuition Check
Elevator trim is not the elevator itself, and it is not a command to stop flying the airplane. It only balances the control pressure after you have set the nose position, power, and speed you want.
Example Sentence 1
After leveling off at cruise altitude, the pilot adjusted the elevator trim until the yoke felt weightless in their hand.
Example Sentence 2
With the flaps coming up, she adjusted the elevator trim to prevent the nose from pitching down unexpectedly.