Uncoordinated flight in cruise

[ZAV]

My DA40 XLS is flying uncoordinated in cruise. I need to hold in constant left rudder to be coordinated. When I first purchased the plane, I could fly with both feet on the floor and be perfectly coordinated in cruise. I’ve tried bending the rudder trim tab to the right some but it didn’t seem to help much.

If I correct the yaw in cruise with left rudder, I’ve noticed that I also need to keep in a little right aileron otherwise the plane would start banking left.

Any tips to go about correcting the aileron and rudder trim tabs? Trial and error?

Could something else be causing it? I have not noticed decreases in cruise speeds so I don’t think there is increased drag somewhere causing the yaw.

[Soareyes]

One possible answer may be found in this thread:

viewtopic.php?t=6582&hilit=Zav&start=100

[ZAV]

One possible answer may be found in this thread:

viewtopic.php?t=6582&hilit=Zav&start=100

I’ve explored that as the problem and thought that was the issue. I’ve had the nose wheel torqued to the specifications at the last annuals without improvement. This didn’t seem to be an issue the first 2-3 of years I had the plane.

[blsewardjr]

Only way to know is to put a camera focused on the nose gear and see what is happening. The bearings the hold the nose wheel tight can wear down. I had mine replaced on my 2003 DA40 and it helped with keep the NLG straight.

[Rich]

Is this hand-flying or using the autopilot?

[Boatguy]

It's a well known problem. I used the fin on my 40NG and it solved the problem.

[ZAV]

Is this hand-flying or using the autopilot?

The autopilot holds the course and altitude of course. Using the autopilot, I need to hold in left rudder to stay fully coordinated.

If I turn off the autopilot and center the turn coordinator I need to hold in slight right aileron to not bank left.

This behavior has been constant over the last three years. It was not the case my first 3 years of flying this plane. Something has changed so just trying to get ideas on what that might be.

[Rich]

This will sound radical but is not your TC (i.e., "the ball") an electronic simulation/depiction of the traditional mechanical "reverse level" found in planes like mine? Can you try validating it against such a device?

[Soareyes]

Besides aiming a camera at the nose gear you could also just try flying with the nose wheel pant removed. If it flies coordinated and a knot or two faster - there you go.

[Rich]

It's been a few years since I put the fin on, but my recollection is having to hold slight right rudder, not left, to center the ball,