Thread: Q400 question
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Old 02-18-2009 | 02:26 PM
  #53  
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trent890
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From: B787 FO
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Another question about the Q400. Is there any aural or tactile feedback to the Q400 pilot when the elevator trim is in motion while the autopilot is engaged?

Obviously, there is the pitch trim indicator next to the parking brake handle on all DH8 series aircraft. But you wouldn't notice the indicator line slightly moving with the autopilot on unless you specifically redirected your line of sight to monitor it for movement.

The DH8 -100/200/300 series aircraft have the irregularly shaped manual pitch trim wheel on both sides of the center pedestal. Not only can your hand feel the bumps in this wheel moving as the autopilot trims the pitch, but with alternating light and dark segments painted on the wheel, you could also see that the pitch trim wheel is in motion. The A320 pitch trim has the same type of alternating color segments on the wheel, and the B737 uses the off-balance weights to produce the "clacker" effect when the pitch trim wheel is in motion.

Other than knowing the expected speed vs. pitch vs. power setting that comes with experience in type, how does the Q400 pilot know when the autopilot is slowly using the pitch trim to mask dangerous flight conditions approaching the limits of the flight envelope?
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