Control Delay

[lnuss]

I[m wondering why there's so much delay in the flight controls. This has been true of all the joysticks I've had, and a friend tells me he sees the same thing.

There must be close to an eighth second delay, if not more. There are occasions when this makes it awkward to get precise control, either near the ground or in precision aerobatics. It would be nice to see a larger integer used for control position, as well. 256 positions doesn't give as fine a control as I'd like, especially when trying to make gentle corrections.

Perhaps some or all of this is in windows, but I'd love to see a solution.

[Calb]

If you haven't already done so, edit the FS9.cfg file by adding the line shown:

(CONTROLS)
pan_in_cockpit_mode=1
stick_sensitivity_mode=0 <<<---
KBDAIL=64
KBDELEV=64
KBDRUD=64
force_master_gain=10000
force_stick_force_enabled=1
force_stick_shaker_enabled=1
force_gear_bump_enabled=1
force_crash_enabled=1
force_ground_bumps_enabled=1
PAN_RATE=400

When it comes to helicopters, even with sensitivities set full and null zones to zero, this addition is a must.

I agree, the 256 steps tends to be a little course, (again) especially for hovering helicopters which requires finer adjustments than any other form of flying.

Cheers,

Cal (CYXX)

[lnuss]

stick_sensitivity_mode=0

That's a new one on me. What does it actually do? (Sure wish they'd document ALL this stuff...)

[RyanbATC]

Huh interesting...ya know, it would be a good thing to have a sort of manual (or dictionary lol) that explains what each line is...I'm not saying that MS has to do it but us users could compile one as we learn. A lot of us are pretty advanced and like to tweak the heck out of FS...maybe an online technical document could cover each entry in the FSx.cfg file.....would be cool!!

[ColinB2]

If I recall correctly, in sentivity mode 1 the sensitivity sliders don't adjust the amount of deflection of control surfaces as you would expect, instead they just add lag, like a lethargic hydraulic system. This is the default mode. To see this in action, set the sensitivity low and go to external view to see how your control surfaces react to stick movement. In mode 0 the control surfaces react instantaneouly to stick movement, like direct-connected control surfaces, and instead the sensitivity sliders adjust total deflection. It would be great if both adjustments were available separately on the setup window.

[lnuss]

Hmmm... I tried mode=0 and I got hardly any movement of the controls -- I could just barely have enough control authority to sort of control the aircraft. From your post, Colin, it appears that maybe I need to try it again with "sensitivity" sliders readjusted?

[lnuss]

OK, I just tried it with mode=0, and moved the elevator and aileron to full right. I'm still lacking in control authority, especially in ailerons, but it might be cutting the lag -- too late tonight, but I'll check it further tomorrow, perhaps changing the aircraft.cfg file settings, as well.

Where do you find information like this? What other goodies are lurking there that we could use to our benefit?

[lnuss]

I've now changed the flight tuning parameters in the aircraft.cfg for Dave Eckart's Stearman, increasing rudder and elevator from 1.0 to 1.3 and aileron to 1.8.

I can now do four and eight point rolls with considerable precision, where the stopping point was a tad uncertain before. The rocker-switch rudder control axis on my X-36 now lets me slip and taxi precisely, with the slop and uncertainty gone.

Thanks, guys! Even though it means I'll have a lot of aircraft.cfg files to change, it brings FS closer to what it should be.

Note to tdragger:
Make this stick "sensitivity" for DIRECT control as the default for FSX -- PLEASE! It makes a big difference.

[RyanbATC]

If you increase all your sensitivities (sp?) and decrease null zones to 0 then add that line above you're controls will be snappy,,,if you have any other values EXCEPT max low and high for nulls and sens, respectively, you will have virutally no movement at all with your stick, which is bad....this is what I found when I first did what that guys said above...

[lnuss]

Well, I found out why I didn't have much response. Apparently you have to set realism slider to full, which mine wasn't. Now response is normal (and improved) without having to change anything in the aircraft.cfg file.

[RyanbATC]

Yeah that's what I wrote above ^....you also need to have the null zones at 0 I think.

[bjpilot]

Wow, great tip, helps loads! Awesome!

[lnuss]

Yeah that's what I wrote above ^
I've gone back and reread all your posts, and I see nothing about the realism slider (AIRCRAFT/REALISM), which was the final piece of the puzzle, only about sensitivity and null sliders.

I DID see:

If you increase all your sensitivities (sp?) and decrease null zones to 0 then add that line above you're controls will be snappy,,,if you have any other values EXCEPT max low and high for nulls and sens, respectively, you will have virutally no movement at all with your stick, which is bad....this is what I found when I first did what that guys said above...


A side benefit seems to be that the jitter in the control pots seems to have little effect now (i.e. rudder no longer jitters with null at 0).

It'd sure be nice to know where this information is available -- I've been through the SDKs, readmes, etc. and have never seen this. It makes me wonder what other useful information is out there but not available to most of us.

[RyanbATC]

Oops my bad, thought I read sensitivity slider....not really sure how I got realism into sensitivity...LOL....4 years of college...has it really got me far? jk :)