Which step is typically addressed first during the aircraft trimming process?

The first step typically addressed during the aircraft trimming process is rudder adjustment. This is primarily because trimming the rudder helps to counteract any adverse yaw that occurs during turns and ensures that the aircraft maintains coordinated flight without the pilot needing to apply constant pressure on the pedals.

When the aircraft is in straight and level flight, any minor yawing tendencies can be corrected by adjusting the rudder trim. This initial control of yaw is crucial as it sets the foundation for further trimming adjustments to ailerons and elevators, which address roll and pitch movements respectively. By stabilizing the rudder first, the pilot can achieve a more balanced control of the aircraft, allowing for smoother adjustments to the other control surfaces.

Elevator adjustments typically follow rudder trimming, as they directly influence the pitch attitude. Aileron adjustments might come last, as they mainly deal with roll stability rather than the fundamental yaw stability provided by rudder control. Weight adjustment is generally not part of the trimming process and is considered in other contexts relating to aircraft loading rather than in-flight control adjustments.