PAC in normal flight regimes

[gmohr]

Hi All,

 

First just let me say that this is the finest sim I've ever experienced. Props to the DCS team for a stellar effort.

 

On to my quesiton. I've working throught the training missions, both stock and community supplied, and I've noticed something. The PAC feature of the A-10C greatly improves the handling qualities of the airplane. Most noticibly, it completely removes adverse yaw. I've also noticed that PAC is only enabled when the GUN/ARM is in GUN/PAC and the Master Arm is in Armed.

 

So my question is, I wonder if/why the PAC isn't available to the pilot when in weapons safe mode? For example, I'd want this feature on during normal non-combat phases of the flight. Can PAC be enabled while the ship is safe? If not, anyone know why? Does the real A-10C behave this way?

 

Thanks!

George

[soupyc]

I do believe you're confusing EAC with PAC. PAC is precision attitude control, and is used to mitigate kick from that big ol beast of a gun when it fires.

 

EAC is Enhance Attitude Control, and is the system that improves the handling of the aircraft. Hope that helps!

[BlueRidgeDx]

The only thing PAC does (when not shooting the gun) is provide a 2 degree change in pitch trim. And it only does that in order to provide the appropriate amount of SAS actuator authority in anticipation of firing the gun.

 

In order for PAC to actually affect flight path, you have to be squeezing the trigger (first or second stage).

 

During normal flight, it's the SAS that is providing turn coordination, yaw damping, pitch rate damping, and automatic pitch trim during speedbrake extension.

Edited June 10, 2011 by BlueRidgeDx

[gmohr]

Hi Soup/others,

 

I would agree based on docs, yet in the flying I can see a remarkable diffference in handling between Armed and Safe modes. Try yourself by doing some dutch rolls with the gun ready and not, and you'll see. Also, notice that applying the gun/pac switch on immediately causes a pitch down, indicating that PAC is doing *something* just by arming the gun. <-- I see BlueRidge that your explanation of the pitch trim makes sense. still unsure about the apparent adverse yaw improvements. Am I the only one that sees this effect? (i.e. am I smoking something recreational? :) )

 

Strange behavior.

 

Regards,

George

Edited June 10, 2011 by gmohr

[gmohr]

Ok guys, did some more experimenting and yeah, I think it was the placebo effect in full swing. I cant reproduce the difference in adverse yaw based on that switch... so just ignore me and I'll pass the bong when I'm finished with it ;)

Edited June 11, 2011 by gmohr

[BlueRidgeDx]

Puff, puff, pass. Don't mess up the rotation.

 

Don't feel bad, peeps have been imagining changes to the flight model with each new patch. You won't be the last... :)