Where is a ground adjustable trim tab bent to apply trim forces?

• A. In flight
• B. On the ground
• C. In the cockpit
• D. During maintenance only

Answer: (B)

A ground adjustable trim tab is bent on the ground to set the amount of trim force the tab will produce when air flows over it in flight. By shaping the tab while the aircraft is on the ground, a technician establishes a baseline trim moment about the center of gravity so the airplane can fly with reduced control forces and a stable, trimmed condition. Bending it in flight isn’t practical or safe because the surface is under aerodynamic load and changing its shape during flight would create unpredictable forces; the purpose of adjusting it on the ground is to set that fixed trim reference before flight.