P51 L/R wheel brake sensitivity (non axis setting)

[Rob Forsyth]

Request that the P51 wheel brakes (left and right) sensitivity be reduced.  This is on the non-axis setting.  Appears brakes are activating full effort during a short keystroke. 

Current sensitivity causing nose-over during light braking which isn’t realistic and also frustrating for new pilots we’re trying to get onboard.  

Sample track enclosed showing behavior during taxi.

thank you for your consideration 

LastMissionTrack.trk

Edited September 3, 2024 by Rob Forsyth

[rob10]

I completely understand where you're coming from, but not sure how you do that with a keypress or button press.  It's either ON or OFF.  In theory you could have it ramp up from zero to full, but then if you stop pressing does it immediately go back to zero or ramp down?  And where does it start if you press again quickly -- on full or start over at zero and ramp up?  Not really sure how you do brakes well without an axis. 

[Terry Dactil]

You can reduce the brake nosing over sensitivity by changing its value in the FMOptions.lua file.

You will find it at:

<Your DCS location> \Mods\aircraft\P-51D\FM\FMOptions.lua"

 I reduced mine to half and this works fine for me.

(Could be different for you, as I use toe brakes and axis control)s

(Not my mod. Someone much smarter than me published it a long time ago. It is probably still on this forum somewhere.)

Edited September 4, 2024 by Terry Dactil

[Art-J]

10 hours ago, rob10 said:

I completely understand where you're coming from, but not sure how you do that with a keypress or button press.  It's either ON or OFF.  In theory you could have it ramp up from zero to full, but then if you stop pressing does it immediately go back to zero or ramp down?  And where does it start if you press again quickly -- on full or start over at zero and ramp up?  Not really sure how you do brakes well without an axis. 

Truth to be told, it's never been on/off and this "ramping up" method has been a thing in DCS since the first warbird (at least), as can be seen on Ctrl-Enter input monitor.

With a bit of practice it allows rough modulation of brake force by tapping relevant key/button rather than keeping it pressed longer. I'm a MFG crosswinds owner, but I still use brake tapping in Spit and Mossie, 'cause I have a TM Warthog with standard "digital" paddle switch, and not one of custom analog mods. It's more than sufficient for the taxiing job, though, in Russian aircraft modules as well.

Ramp-up time itself, however, is preset by ED to some arbitrary value and I understand where OP's coming from. For example, it used to be too quick in Mossie after its initial release but got slowed down a couple of patches down the line and it's OK for tappity-tap now.

[LeCuvier]

I'm not personally affected by this issue as I use MFG pedals with analogue brake axis signals, plus I don't fly the Mustang much.
But I got curious and looked for a way to produce an ON/OFF braking command with reduced "power". And I got there after some trial and error.
I added this line of code to the file "default.lua" under "DRIVE:\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Mods\aircraft\P-51D\Input\P-51D\joystick" :

{down = iCommandWheelBrake, up = iCommandWheelBrake, value_down = 0.0, value_up = 1.0, name = _('Wheelbrakes Both 50%'), category = _('Flight Control')},

This creates a new command named "Wheelbrakes Both 50%". When you press the bound button, both brakes get 50% "pressure", and when you release the button the pressure is reduced to 0. This command has an inversed signal:
Signal = 1.0 --> pressure = 0
Signal = 0.0 --> pressure = 50%
Signal = -1.0 __> pressure = 100%
With this in mind you can vary the pressure produced by a button press.

I bound the new command with the 50% signal to the pinky button on my VRP stick for a test, and my first landing was not brilliant but safe. One could make the brakes a bit softer by changing the "value_down to a higher value like 0.
If you want to use a keyboard button, you need to add the command to the "default.lua" under "DRIVE:\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Mods\aircraft\P-51D\Input\P-51D\keyboard"

[Rob Forsyth]

LeCuvier . Perfect thank you. I’m so happy !    I modified my joystick Lua and this works and it added the option to my control settings.    Works great.

i used your example and was able to modify the default joystick lua file to reduce the effort of the left and right toes brakes as well.  Thanks !    I’m going to post the solution in user files 

Edited September 4, 2024 by Rob Forsyth

[Rob Forsyth]

1 hour ago, Rob Forsyth said:

LeCuvier . Perfect thank you. I’m so happy !    I modified my joystick Lua and this works and it added the option to my control settings.    Works great

1 hour ago, Rob Forsyth said:

 

 

add the following to the default joystick LUA P51d

-- Systems

 

{down = iCommandWheelBrake, up = iCommandWheelBrake, value_down = 0.0, value_up = 1.0, name = _('Wheelbrakes Both 50%'), category = _('Flight Control')},

 

{down = iCommandLeftWheelBrake, up = iCommandLeftWheelBrake, value_down = 0.0, value_up = 1.0, name = _('Wheelbrake L  50%'), category = _('Flight Control')},

 

{down = iCommandRightWheelBrake, up = iCommandRightWheelBrake, value_down = 0.0, value_up = 1.0, name = _('Wheelbrake R 50%'), category = _('Flight Control')},

 

[Rob Forsyth]

I want to thank everyone for their help with my problem.

[Bowie]

On 9/3/2024 at 5:56 PM, Terry Dactil said:

You can reduce the brake nosing over sensitivity by changing its value in the FMOptions.lua file.

You will find it at:

<Your DCS location> \Mods\aircraft\P-51D\FM\FMOptions.lua"

 I reduced mine to half and this works fine for me.

(Could be different for you, as I use toe brakes and axis control)s

(Not my mod. Someone much smarter than me published it a long time ago. It is probably still on this forum somewhere.)

 

Yeah,

Used this, except set it to 3000, after testing.

4000 was still hammering the tail-wheel a/o catching the prop with a combat-loaded (41% total fuel) A/C, and 2500 wouldn't hold on an engine run-up, and was sloppy while maneuvering.

3000 - Good firm braking and crisp handling using keys, even pirouetting on the hardstand to leave the plane facing out.

A little tail-wheel tap with full application while near empty of fuel and ammo, end of mission, but easily managed compared to the nightmare OEM setting.

Can we get this .ula file line item corrected in the next update?

@NineLine

Please advise.

 

Bowie

 

Edited September 5, 2024 by Bowie

[Rob Forsyth]

Bowie thanks this is the best solution , I changed the FM setting as suggested to 3,000 and perfect.   I hope they roll out this change as it’s very discouraging to have this behaviour.  

Edited September 5, 2024 by Rob Forsyth

[Bowie]

18 hours ago, Rob Forsyth said:

Bowie thanks this is the best solution , I changed the FM setting as suggested to 3,000 and perfect.   I hope they roll out this change as it’s very discouraging to have this behaviour.  

 

Yeah, it makes taxiing very nice.

Stick forward and brake to initiate turn rotation, counter-brake until the rotation stops while neutralizing stick to allow roll-out and tail-wheel to lock, and then back stick and steer.

The biggest improvement is taxiing to T/O position behind another section.

Used to be, they were long gone before getting stopped and ready for launch.

Now, advancing throttle as the airplane ahead is lifting off.

 

Bowie

Edited September 6, 2024 by Bowie