Force Feed Back

[jimmydunn]

Why does the force feed back on Side Winder 2 work on some aircrafts but not on another. Can each aircraft be set seperately

[slarente]

Some planes are programmed with FF, some without. All these settings are in the aircraft.cfg file for every aircraft. They can be adjusted by changing the numeric values.

Hope this helps!

[wsieffert]

The FS2004_AIRCRAFTCONTAINER_SDK - http://www.microsoft.com/games/flightsimulator/ , downloads, FS2004SDK provides information on the aircraft.cfg FFB settings.

W. Sieffert

[jimmydunn]

Thanks for that, but before I go and change the file which I have now found. What bits do what and what bits do I change. Thanks

Jimmy

[jimmydunn]

I found the file, but when I tried to open it, it just self extracted in Fs9. I now cannot find it.

Jimmy

[wsieffert]

Downloading and installing the FS2004_AircraftContaining_SDK only installs a Word document onto your hardrive. The default location is C:\Program Files\FS2004SDK\AIRCRAFT_CONTAINER_SDK. Open the AircraftContainerSDKFS2004.doc with Microsoft Word or a viewer program available from http://www.microsoft.com/office/000/viewers.asp .

The document tells you what each entry in the aircraft.cfg does for FFB.

I would make a copy of the aircraft's aircraft.cfg file. Rename the original aircraft.cfg file aircraft.ORIG, rename the copy aircraft.cfg. Make all changes to the copy, test and note the change affect.

W. Sieffert

[jimmydunn]

>>>I would make a copy of the aircraft's aircraft.cfg file. Rename the original aircraft.cfg file aircraft.ORIG, rename the copy aircraft.cfg. Make all changes to the copy, test and note the change affect.<<

I have found the file and made a copy on Microsoft word. Jeez. It really is double dutch to me. Could you give me some sort of idea to make reasonable feed back on say PSS A320 or PMDG 737-700. Thanks

Jimmy

[wsieffert]

Sorry, I don't use a FFB joystick so cannot give any recommendations.

Have you looked into FSForce.zip http://www.fs-force.com/ ?

W. Sieffert

[Erich65]

Hello,
The information in the AircraftContainer SDK only seems to cover the force feedback aspects when the aircraft is *on the ground*. IMHO, what's even more important is the joystick behavior in the various phases of flight! Namely, that the stick is slack at the start of the takeoff run, and both pitch and roll will 'stiffen up' as the speed builds and you get a nice, 'healthy' force you need to apply to lift off. I have found one way of doing this, and I'll just post what I did quite some time ago (to answer my own question in that thread, by the way, LOL!). And backed up by an example, experimenting on the Default B747 with, I think, good results. At the time, Mr. Sieffert had also offered some cautions in using this approach, which were well taken. Thanks again, Mr.Sieffert!

Here goes:-

"Hello All,
(Posted this yesterday, but its nowhere to be found! So let's play the Lost Post again!)

I had a problem of low, or apparently no, Force Feedback using the MS SideWinder FF Ver.1, with my favorite big iron, the default B747. Tried various solutions, none of which worked for me. My original driver CD for MS SideWinder FF was not accepted in XP, and I lost the ability to adjust the level of force, and worse, the ability to adjust or switch off the 'return to center' feature which detracts from some of the 'real' feel (whatever that is!).

Well, I tried digging in a bit and have found something that works for me, and might do the same for you if you have what I have. The steps follow:-

a) First d/l AirEd Ver.1.52 (site info courtesy shwncplnd)
( http://members.dsl-only.net/~eagle/ ) and install as per instructions in the Readme.

b) Open Aired, navigate to the .air file of the default B747, and open it.

c) Scroll down to Item #320 "*Control Surfaces", and expand it.

d) Go to the line "*Horiz Stab.a?", and change the value from the existing, to 3.000000. Hit enter.

e) Next, go to the line "*Horiz Stab.b?", and change the value from the existing, to -7.000000. ie minus 7.000000, then hit enter. (This is where the error crept in an earlier post--sorry! I did thereafter post a correction).

Of course, standard practice, you must backup the original airfile (I just renamed it 'xxxxori' and left it right there), to go back to, in case this didn't work for me, or to switch .airfiles for comparison purposes. With the values I've used the changes are quite dramatic! I think you can freely try other values (don't forget the minus sign where reqd.).

Can't tell you, and wouldn't even hazard a guess, you're on you're own here, as to how this might work with an MSFF Ver.2 or a Logitech FF, or even on your system with a Ver.1 'stick, but if I had either of these, I'd definitely give it a bash--my values may still be a bit on the high side (--and I started at 10!!) But what I particularly like is the way the 'stick starts out quite slack and floppy as you begin the takeoff roll, and then how it really stiffens up by the time you reach rotation. Quite 'as real as should get'! Anyway, if all else fails for you, remember you still have the backup!

I must tell you I have my 'stick firmly velcroed to the right side arm of my seat, a la Airbus. Definitely needed, at higher levels of FF! For more on this, there is a "How To" on building MAC, a 'multi-aircraft cockpit', right here on FS.com., "How To" Section in the Main Menu.

I've been doing quite a few sorties of my favorite B747 flight--Default Takeoff Rwy 34 SeaTac>climb to 6000', 12 DME>turn left 295>fly 1 min>turn right 115> hold course to intercept Localiser Rwy 16 and center it>intercept and slide down GS>land! Most flights done manually --but the AP also works fine. In manual the pitch trim works very well, and, as you'll find, is very essential--unless you like RSI!!

If this helps someone else with an MSFF Ver.1 'stick, a feedback would be nice. And even more valuable if you have a different type of 'stick! Specially the Ver.2 SWFF, if it also works better using this method.The values, of course could be different, but not radically so."

Sadly, no feedback from anyone, but one lives in hope, at least this time!!

Since that post I've 'done' a number of other AC, both default and freeware with good results, and no reason why it shouldn't work for payware also (hey, give it a bash--don't cost nuthin!). Backup!!

One way I 'test', is to check FF stability just beyond the 'Overspeed' condition. Much beyond that and the stick *should* start a wild bucking bronco act!

Incidentally, had to do the reverse, (i.e., reduce FF) on a number of freeware models. A Hunter and an Osprey come immediately to mind.

Sorry for long post--wanted to share, and hope this helps someone.

Enjoy,
Erich.

[wsieffert]

Hi Erich,

Nice job!

I forgot about these *.air file values until you mentioned them. YeoDesigns issued a bunch of B737-200 aircraft for FS2002. A FFB user complained about the joystick become unstable. He found that someone had changed the *.air file Horiz Stab.a and Horiz Stab.b values dramatically from the default B737-400. He wondered if changing them back would correct the problem. It did! I don't remember if the FFB user tried optimizing the numbers the way you did.

Lastly, the reference you give for AirEd is no longer valid. Try http://perso.wanadoo.fr/hsors/FS_Soft/index.html . Also download the latest aired.ini and you will find different labels for the two entries above, FFB Pitch and FFB Roll axes, respectively! :-hmmm

W. Sieffert