Last week (9-7-99)I failed a checkride at a certified Cessna Agency in a C-152. I was surprised to find out that with judicious use of initial trim setting for takeoff and power, it is Cessna's standard instructional procedure to negate any use of trim. The C-152 can be leveled from climb at 80 knots just by a reduction in power to 2200 rpm. No trim necessary. The abeam the numbers reduction of power to 1600 and the first ten degrees of flaps gives an approach speed of 70 knots and power at 1500. No trim necessary. The addition of flaps in the turns gives sufficient lift/drag to make this one power setting applicable for the whole descent. The base turn is accompanied by the second notch of flaps. Result is an approach speed of 65-knots. No trim necessary. The full flap condition is applied in the turn to final and the speed drops to 60 knots for the final approach. Keep 60-knots into the roundout and flare at 54 knot by keeping the nose slightly below the end of the runway. By letting students see where they are going we keep them from being frightened..
Insult was added to injury when I found that the C-172N could be flown and landed the same way. according to Cessna I have been flying their aircraft incorrectly for over 30-years. Even my first instructor, who became a factory representative for Cessna, taught me incorrectly by emphasizing the use of trim. This old-dog has learned a new trick. Oh, lordy, I have seen the error of my ways and have a ton of repenting to do. Where was Arenias when I needed him?
While it may be possible to fly a 172 that way, it is not desirable and not a good habit to build no matter how Cessna designed that particular model. And while it may not be absolutely necessary, it is certainly not "incorrect" to use trim.
I'd have suggested you take that up with Gene Whitt, since I have no opinion on the subject (was just answering the OP's question) but it appears Gene passed away a couple years ago:
I believe he means that if the airplane has a trim wheel and a line marked "Takeoff" trim setting, rotate the trim wheel so its mark aligns with the Takeoff mark. Throttle setting is whatever.
At least in the C-152 and I think most C-172 variants I believe one should normally find that with full flaps at POH recommended landing speed, if you glance at the trim wheel on close final that you've set it at or close to the "Takeoff" trim setting.
Take off trim is nowhere near neutral, T/O trim has the trim tab deflected down. Neutral is properly the trim tab aligned with the elevator and in a properly rigged plane that should be around a 75% cruise speed with mid CG.
That may be, and perhaps I should not have attempted to insert my interpretation of what Jimmy Cooper meant, but the trim wheel setting I mentioned is consistent with that reported by Gene Whitt and my own experience.
