Plain English Meaning

The correct way to use trim: get the airplane flying the way you want it, then adjust the trim wheel until you no longer have to push or pull on the controls to hold it there.

Full Definition

A method of using the aircraft's trim controls to relieve continuous control pressures so the aircraft maintains a desired attitude with little or no force on the flight controls. Proper trim technique involves first establishing the desired attitude and power setting, then adjusting trim to remove the resulting control pressure, rather than using trim to change the attitude itself.

Context Anchor

Used in instrument flying when maintaining a precise attitude, airspeed, or altitude without unnecessary force.