Roll Aug Off for BFM

[James744]

Can anyone tell me why it is more effective in BFM to turn off Roll Stability Aug? What is it that Roll Aug does wrong in BFM?

I've always wondered, and I'm sure someone here knows!

Cheers

James 

[Zabuzard]

Can anyone tell me why it is more effective in BFM to turn off Roll Stability Aug? What is it that Roll Aug does wrong in BFM?
I've always wondered, and I'm sure someone here knows!
Cheers
James 

It isnt more effective. Its ultimately a personal preference.

Roll STAB fights your roll input to some degree with opposite artificial input in order to cancel out unwanted roll and stabilize the plane. This can feel like something is getting in your way when you want full and direct control. Overall its fairly minor though and its authority is quite small.

Some prefer it on, some off. Both choices are fine :)

[Kalasnkova74]

2 hours ago, James744 said:

Can anyone tell me why it is more effective in BFM to turn off Roll Stability Aug? What is it that Roll Aug does wrong in BFM?

I've always wondered, and I'm sure someone here knows!

Cheers

James 

USAF pilot Theodore “Gabby” Drake in an interview with 10 Percent True host Steve Davies explained it thus. 

First, at low airspeeds you’ll still want to roll with rudder (slats notwithstanding)for optimum maneuvering . While you won’t adverse yaw rolling with the stick alone at low airspeeds, using full rudder can help with roll authority. 

The roll augmentation (aka ‘Roll Aug’ ) logic inhibits this because the control logic counters the rudder movement you’re using to roll the aircraft. Disabling it enables full rudder assisted roll capability, which is useful depending on your maneuvering plans (and necessary if you intend to depart the aircraft in BFM). 

That said, if you want to fight “conservative” BFM (meaning large , classic vertical turns and no aggressive close -in maneuvering ) , you can pretend this switch doesn’t exist and lose nothing doing so.

Incidentally, I personally disable the Roll Aug when landing to enable fine adjustments with the rudder on final approach.

[James744]

Thank you both for your responses, it makes sense!