Straight and level flight?

[noderunner]

I'm not a very skilled pilot, but flying the A-10 is the first time I've had this much trouble trimming the aircraft for a particular airspeed, and maintaining straight and level flight.

 

I'm running Beta 4 and using the Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS setup.

 

I'm trying to make it through the "Take Off and Basic Maneuvers" training mission. I'm having a lot of trouble when I'm asked to maintain 180 knots at 7000 ft.

 

In every other virtual aircraft I've flown, setting the trim for a particular angle of attack causes the aircraft to maintain a particular airspeed, even when you increase or decrease the engine RPM. Not so in the A-10. Why is this? Whenever I trim the AoA, no matter what my current airspeed is, making changes in the throttle doesn't simply result in a change of altitude, but the airspeed changes as well, and the aircraft starts bouncing up and down. I don't understand why this would be any different in the A-10?

 

Does anyone know what engine RPM I should maintain in order to hold 180 knots straight and level? I'm finding this near impossible to accomplish.

 

I'm also finding that the aircraft will bank just slightly left or right once I trim and let go of the stick. I keep having to make small corrections (1-3 degrees of bank). I don't know if that is supposed to happen or not. Since this isn't a prop-plane, I shouldn't have to worry about p-forces and other types of torque which would make the aircraft want to bank or turn. Is this supposed to happen? Or am I having some kind of input problem?

Edited February 3, 2011 by noderunner

[Teej]

Work smarter, not harder. :D

 

Use the autopilot to hold flat and level while you find the power setting that allows you to maintain speed.

 

On the takeoff training mission, holding 180 at 7000' takes about 80% power / 55% fan rpm.

 

At some point during the climbout, I moved the LASTE switch to ALT/HDG. As I was passing 6500 feet I started pushing forward on the stick to level out at 7000 and pulling a bit of power. Tap the ENGAGE button for the autopilot and make final tweaks to power.

 

Easy peezy.

Edited February 3, 2011 by Teej

[effte]

I haven't noticed anything peculiar about this aspect of the handling.

 

I wouldn't expect prolonged hands-off S&L either, though. It's just not what aircraft do. Even if you do get the trim just right, there will always be external disturbances.

[YorZor]

Trust me when I say that when you're flying in real-life you're making constant corrections like the ones you are talking about in-game ;)

 

So I can only guess it's a good thing.

[effte]

Egg-zactly. You are always nudging the controls. When trimmed just right, you are adjusting altitude by minute power changes or trim changes, and very slight pressure on the rudder rather than ailerons, but I have yet to be in 100% hands-off flight for any time.

 

In A-10, it feeeeeeeeeels right. :D

[Yoni63]

Most mistakes come from chasing needles. If you keep chasing them, it becomes an insane process that's never ending. Fall back on basic flight principles of pitch for airspeed, throttle for altitude. Teej has the best suggestion, rely on autopilot especially until you really get a feel for the A-10. You'd be surprised how much autopilot is used in the RW.

[noderunner]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll just have to keep practicing. I've been thinking about a sport pilot license, so I've been doing a lot of sim practicing with the Accusim J-3 Piper Cub addon for FSX, and the ease of flying that aircraft has spoiled me!

[lobo]

Just like R/L. Trim trim trim. The most used button on your WH should be the trim. You should practice trimming until you do it without thinking. If you adjust anything you need to re trim. Practice without the auto pilot until your thumb is sore.

 

Allow me to sum up in six words: practice, practice, practice, trim, trim, trim. ;)