First time with rudder pedals

Evil.Bonsai · June 20, 2012

After flying sims since early 90's, I finally broke down and purchased a set of Saitek Combat Rudder pedals. This was in lieu of me possibly needing a new flightstick/throttle (still might, but won't need it for now. Thrustmaster got back with me and will be sending me a y-axis gimbal for my Cougar).

Wow...these things are a bit hard to get used to; well, first time use, anyway. I do like the individual toe brakes, makes for keeping straight on the runway during landing a bit easier. Takeoff was still pretty tricky, though: I was all over the runway.

Question to those that know: I've always set up rudder controls (keyboard, stick slider, et al) in such a way that when I pushed a key/button/etc, it was as if I were pushing on the nose of the plane. For example, I set up my pedals so that when I push on the right pedal, it's as if I'm pushing the right side of the nose, and moving the plane left. Is this opposite of how they should work? To me, this just feels 'normal'.

Brisse · June 20, 2012

I have never used pedals. Where I really need rudder I usually assign it to the microstick on the Cougar. Lately I have been simming more than usual so I'm starting to feel the need for some pedals. SIMPED F16/c is what I want but it's a lot of money. Haven't decided yet :)

cichlidfan · June 20, 2012

I set up my pedals so that when I push on the right pedal, it's as if I'm pushing the right side of the nose, and moving the plane left. Is this opposite of how they should work? To me, this just feels 'normal'.

Yes, that is the opposite. When you push the right pedal the aircraft should turn right.

Also, you might consider a slight curve on the rudder axis to give you a bit more control.

Evil.Bonsai · June 21, 2012

Yes, that is the opposite. When you push the right pedal the aircraft should turn right.

Also, you might consider a slight curve on the rudder axis to give you a bit more control.

I will play with the curve a bit. Just attached them today and flew one mission, so still have time to setup a mission for just taxi, takeoff and landings.

I figured I had it backwards, but every time I try it the correct way, I get confused and end up turning the wrong way, then tying too hard to get back to where I wanted to go.

I guess so long as it works for me, no harm.

cichlidfan · June 21, 2012

I will play with the curve a bit. Just attached them today and flew one mission, so still have time to setup a mission for just taxi, takeoff and landings.

I figured I had it backwards, but every time I try it the correct way, I get confused and end up turning the wrong way, then tying too hard to get back to where I wanted to go.

I guess so long as it works for me, no harm.

I guess that's OK but don't ever try to fly a real aircraft after getting used to that.;)

Using a turn coordinator would be odd since you won't be 'stepping on the ball' but...

Evil.Bonsai · June 21, 2012

I have never used pedals. Where I really need rudder I usually assign it to the microstick on the Cougar. Lately I have been simming more than usual so I'm starting to feel the need for some pedals. SIMPED F16/c is what I want but it's a lot of money. Haven't decided yet :)

Do you use your cougar for a10c? Ive been using the ant. elevation knob for rudder. Now that I have the pedals, Im wondering what to do with that knob.

Brisse · June 21, 2012

Do you use your cougar for a10c? Ive been using the ant. elevation knob for rudder. Now that I have the pedals, Im wondering what to do with that knob.

Yes I use the Cougar for A10C and I use keyboard for rudder in this particular case :)

I use ANT ELEV for zoom view. RNG knob is actually free in A10C but I don't like using the knobs for rudder. It feels slow and clumsy. I only bind microstick to rudder in P51D and BS2 where rudder is a must have.

But hey, guys. The reason for my initial post was I need you to convince me to go and buy some pedals. Please just tell me something like "you can't live without them" so I can go out and get some pedals!!! :joystick:

PeterP · June 21, 2012

Seriously : Buy some rudders asap.

and use them for a week.

And than write us how awkward you feel not to get them sooner.

cichlidfan · June 21, 2012

Yes I use the Cougar for A10C and I use keyboard for rudder in this particular case :)
I use ANT ELEV for zoom view. RNG knob is actually free in A10C but I don't like using the knobs for rudder. It feels slow and clumsy. I only bind microstick to rudder in P51D and BS2 where rudder is a must have.

But hey, guys. The reason for my initial post was I need you to convince me to go and buy some pedals. Please just tell me something like "you can't live without them" so I can go out and get some pedals!!! :joystick:

I certainly cannot see how you could have decent control with the microstick but it is all about what you get used to, and a good curve I would imagine.

I went from a twist on an X-52 to rudder pedals and the difference in control is night and day. There is something to be said for differential toe brakes too!

PeterP · June 21, 2012

...and also get rudders that are as wide as possible -this makes also a difference like night and day.

I first had the CH , they are uncomfortable and even got more uncomfortable as I started to experiment with a center-stick.

Then I got the saitek-pro-flight and I had a lot more precession as they are much wider .

Edited June 21, 2012 by PeterP

Brisse · June 21, 2012

Thanks to all of you! Thats what I needed. Sent a message yesterday with some questions to manufacturer of SIMPED pedals. Really want the F16/c pedals but they don't have them in stock :(

Me living in Sweden means ordering from Germany = no problem at all.

Panthro · June 22, 2012

@Evil.Bonsai I too had my rudder reversed many moons ago.

My advice is just switch them to the right way and just leave them like that

you will soon adapt.

If you want it to become autonomous quicker try flying in Arma2 where all you do is focus on input, without having to do any head down.

Edited June 22, 2012 by Panthro
spell

Hamblue · June 22, 2012

Pedals are another step towards the full package. Essentials IMO are

Hotas Stick and Throttle, Trackir, Pedals, Large or multi-screen, Good Headset. :joystick:

Brisse · June 22, 2012

Pedals are another step towards the full package. Essentials IMO are
Hotas Stick and Throttle, Trackir, Pedals, Large or multi-screen, Good Headset. :joystick:

Pedals is the only thing i'm missing from your list. Got a reply from Mr Hofmann at DHS electronics and I think I'm going to order the SIMPEDS :pilotfly:

Going to klick the order button tomorrow I think :thumbup:

WildBillKelsoe · June 23, 2012

Seriously : Buy some rudders asap.
and use them for a week.

And than write us how awkward you feel not to get them sooner.

And post tracks/vids before and after the purchase. Try doing it in P-51D. :)

FreeFall · June 23, 2012

I will play with the curve a bit. Just attached them today and flew one mission, so still have time to setup a mission for just taxi, takeoff and landings.

I figured I had it backwards, but every time I try it the correct way, I get confused and end up turning the wrong way, then tying too hard to get back to where I wanted to go.

I guess so long as it works for me, no harm.

Maybe a bit deadzone for the toe brakes as well, and axis inverted of course.

And your aircraft is not a bike :D. So, you'd better learn to do it the right way, as mentioned earlier by some kind forum members.

Harzach · June 23, 2012

I figured I had it backwards, but every time I try it the correct way, I get confused and end up turning the wrong way, then tying too hard to get back to where I wanted to go.

Get up in the air and kick the rudder around for a while. Get used to how pedal input relates to yaw. When you are on the ground, the relationship is the same - visualize ground steering as being a result of rudder deflection, not nose gear orientation.

Good luck!

Evil.Bonsai · June 23, 2012

Get up in the air and kick the rudder around for a while. Get used to how pedal input relates to yaw. When you are on the ground, the relationship is the same - visualize ground steering as being a result of rudder deflection, not nose gear orientation.

Good luck!

I'll try this. I have been flying with no hud or cdu. Made a mission in fog and have been practicing staring at instruments on the front panel. Guess I might as well change the rudders. Just feels weird. Had mostly used my Cougars AntElev knob while flying Longbow/Longbow2 and later Battlefield 2 Helis, so turning knob forward (push right pedal forward) was turning left, etc....since I've been doing this pure flying only last several days, might as well get the pedals right.

We'll see how it goes. :)

nex · June 24, 2012

I'll try this. I have been flying with no hud or cdu. Made a mission in fog and have been practicing staring at instruments on the front panel. Guess I might as well change the rudders. Just feels weird. Had mostly used my Cougars AntElev knob while flying Longbow/Longbow2 and later Battlefield 2 Helis, so turning knob forward (push right pedal forward) was turning left, etc....since I've been doing this pure flying only last several days, might as well get the pedals right.

We'll see how it goes. :)

Good luck, you will not regret it. Doing things right in a flight sim feels good :beer:

Brisse · June 24, 2012

Oops. I klicked the "place order" button for the SIMPED.

Evil.Bonsai · June 24, 2012

Oops. I klicked the "place order" button for the SIMPED.

Hehe...I did that last week at Amazon, and a new set of pedals was at my door 2 days later! :music_whistling:

Sierra99 · June 28, 2012

Wow...these things are a bit hard to get used to; well, first time use, anyway. I do like the individual toe brakes, makes for keeping straight on the runway during landing a bit easier. Takeoff was still pretty tricky, though: I was all over the runway.

Make sure your heels are on the floor not completly up on the pedals...use the balls of your feet and gentle movements of your feet to move rudders. (If ya look down in cockpit view, you'll see DCS correctly modeled the scraped off paint and bare medal on the floor...)

Humvee28 · June 29, 2012

I´m going to buy some Saitek Pro Flight Rudder Pedals. Haven´t used the twist Axis of my X52 Pro inflight, so i´m very excited what is possible with additional Rudder Control in the Air. :D

Brisse · July 5, 2012

Rudder pedals arrived today. Impressive quality but will take some time getting used to :)

Weltensegler · July 5, 2012

Rudder pedals arrived today. Impressive quality but will take some time getting used to :)

They are awesome! German engineering in da house! :D

They make those specifically for you after you order. They use magnetic hall ef. so long lasting and dirt insensitive.

You need to get used to yes bc they feel very organic.

But you will apreciate that soon.

Like the fact you have to push the brakes a bit until they start to break and really push them hard for max brake.

Feels more similar to planes I was in so far though than other brands.

Also the distance is awesome and perfect for pit builders.

In DCSA10 there might be a little problem with the brakes locking but in DCS world its kind of solved.

Guess they don't get interpreted as sliders any more but not sure.

Have fun with them, good choice! :thumbup:

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First time with rudder pedals

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