Trim and the Sidewinder 2FFB, Actual Helicopter Pilot

[driver7408]

I'm qualified in 2 helicopters, both which have force trim. I use it somewhat frequently when flying, but primarily for setting hover for picking up sling loads or descending to slope landings. I normally don't use the trim switch under airspeed, because on the CH-47s, we have longitudinal cyclic trim actuators and AFCS, which handles those requirements and provides positive stick gradient (a long discussion for another time.) When I want level hover, I normally gain a good ground reference, and then I press and hold the trim switch, and adjust for level hover, then release.

 

The thing I have noticed about the trim system in this game, that under hover, is that it feels very realistic with the Microsoft SWFFB2 joystick, in comparison to a real helicopter. Problem is, when I release the trim switch, it does not re-adjust exactly in the position where I release it, rather I feel the joystick re-engaging a few degrees to the right/left, causing me to have to maintain opposite lateral pressure to maintain the level hover. Its almost like I have throw a little extra ahead bank in before releasing trim to get it to center, but then that causes more lateral drift then what I'd consider safe in any normal condition, and takes a while for the stability augmentation to recover afterwards. Under just about every trim setting I try, the joystick will not recenter on the new trim point upon releasing the trim, but instead pulls off a few degrees left or right from center, depending on what lateral quadrant

I'm in (Seems more lateral excursion than longitudinal.) I have scoured this forum, installed the 1b patch, and have tried as many in game adjustment settings as I could find, which in turn has lessened the severity of this, but has not solved it. I have tested my joystick and it works perfectly with FS force on FSX, and I know there are no issues with it. Its been hard finding information off of this forum for this specific problem due to the multitudes of posts from people who don't have force feedback, or/nor do not understand how lateral/longitudinal force trim works.

 

Other than that, this sim is great. Its nice to get out of the cargo mind frame and explore the attack side. Its nice to see some developers who care about what they put out.

 

Is anyone up on this with similar observations who could give me some advice or their settings, or something I might be missing? Otherwise please FWD this to the bug section.

 

Thx.

Edited October 14, 2009 by driver7408

[sobek]

Sounds like quantification error in the feedback loop for the FFB or something similar. I do have the same stick but have not noticed this, maybe because i took it for granted and got used to it. Will look into this the next time i fly BS.

 

On a second thought: Do you, by any chance, have access to another MSFFB2 to try and reproduce this yourself?

Edited October 14, 2009 by sobek

[ericinexile]

The solution for me: NO CURVES, NO DEADZONE. (with a FFB G940)

[Huckle]

The solution for me: NO CURVES, NO DEADZONE. (with a FFB G940)

 

That was the solution for me also. I was getting same kick after trimming with MSFFB2.

If you are looking for a smoother travel, there's an option I found to work that involves meddling with saturation. But it's difficult to explain.

[driver7408]

After messing with about everything, I think I found the best solution was to lessen the FF effects to around 30-40%. Its playable now, although I'd prefer a bit more resistance when I zero my trim. Still confused as to why everyone says the msffb stick is the best ffb device; I believe it is on many other sims, but here its a known issue that it doesn't respond to trim adjustments properly on high feedback settings. Hopefully they will fix it on the next patch.

[-Bazong-]

The solution for me: NO CURVES, NO DEADZONE. (with a FFB G940)

 

My solution (with the msFFB2) is exactly the same. Works just fine no matter what % the force is set at in BS..

 

I don't have the program that comes with the stick installed, just plugged the stick in (since I lost the disc many years ago :P ) don't know if it makes a difference...