Constant heading deviation during taxi

[Clarindo]

During taxi the aircraft keeps deviating from the runway heading; trying to correct it with auto heading will not work. It takes a constant fiddling with the yoke to keep it in line.

 

Once off the ground flight response is perfect.

 

Some change in aircraft configuration, surface controls, or trimming adjustment to correct this? Some guidance on where I should look for a solution?

 

Thanks a lot.

[JSkorna]

Yes, you use manual control on the ground. You do not use Auto Pilot on the ground as it is not precise enough.

[il88pp]

Some planes steer with wheels at low speed and rudder at higher speed.

Steering angle of the wheels can be changed. In the aircraft.cfg in the [contact points] section.

Some aircraft have a explanation of all contact points value meanings in the aircraft.cfg file, as comments just above the [contact points] section.

Or you can type "aircraft.cfg" into google. That leads you to a msdn link that probably explains all values as well.

[mrzippy]

During taxi the aircraft keeps deviating from the runway heading.

Thanks a lot.

 

 

Sorry, Clarindo, this is a little confusing! Is this taxiing from the gate to the hold short position at your runway? Or are you talking about your takeoff roll down the runway?

 

I am assuming it's your takeoff roll that you are describing. Is your rudder centered, both engines at the same N1 setting, any cross-winds?

[PhantomTweak]

May we ask what airplane? If it's a single engine prop, it might be the P-Factor giving you fits. If it's a dual engine prop, are both prop RPMs, engine MP, and so on, exactly the same?

I think Mr. Zippy, sir, covered jets pretty well. Is the Yaw damper offf? No crosswinds? AP off so it's not trying to steer the plane? Do you strike numpad-5 with the Num Lock off to center all trim settings? Might the default planne you initially load have some rudder trim in?

Do you have Auto-rudder checked in the Settings menus? Have you calibrated the controls properly? Joystick twist handle, rudder pedals, whatever you use.

All possibilities that could cause your trouble...

Pat☺

[Clarindo]

Thanks for the assistance, JSkorna, il88p, mrzippy and Phantom Tweak.

 

Look what I obtained and learned through my solicitation for help:

 

AP not precise enough on the ground.

Steering angle of wheels can be changed.

Check for centered rudder (Yes)

Engines are at identical N1 setting (Yes)

Watch for crosswind (constant repetitive deviation would indicate non-existent)

Yaw Damper Off - Didnt check nor realize that!

Strike numpad 5 with NumLockoff - Failed to use it.

 

It is amazing how much know-how can be obtained in this exceptionally qualified and prestative forum.

 

Thank you all a lot. Will proceed with required and sugested corrections to solve this irritating situation during take-off rolls and will report back in the near future.

[ScatterbrainKid]

Some FSX aircraft have the rudder offset to the right or left when we open a flight (it's an FSX or controller glitch), so waggle and twist your controller to free up the rudder and other control surfaces to allow them to return to centre. Then open the throttle..:)

PS- and un-tick the 'Autorudder' option on the Aircraft Realism screen or it could mess you up.

[PhantomTweak]

Some FSX aircraft have the rudder offset to the right or left when we open a flight (it's an FSX or controller glitch), so waggle and twist your controller to free up the rudder and other control surfaces to allow them to return to centre. Then open the throttle..:)

That's also known as "wiping the controls". Navy pilots are taught to do that as the last thing before ANY take-off run, just to be SURE the controls are free & clear, nothing has fallen into the controls, cranks, cables and so on, in the cockpit, or anywhere else, thus blocking them (a pen, flashlight, small tool of some kind, etc etc etc), and so on.

Sometimes they call it making a "sign of the cross": back and forward, left and right, rudders side to side (with Nose Wheel Steering off, naturally).

ANY kind of restriction, or it just "feels" wrong, they immediately abort the launch. Better that than than explaining to the Skipper why that expensive bird is at the bottom.

I was taught that when I was first learning to fly gliders back in '74. Get all hooked up to the tow plane, wait till he signals "ready", move the stick in a full circle and then waggle the rudder to signal the tow-plane to GO! Again, any problem, drop the tow cable and have the line boy (which I spent a LOT of time being, to pay for my lessons) lower the wing, which signals the tow plane an abort, and he should retract the tow cable and taxi off the runway.

 

Sorry guys, just wanted to throw that out there...

 

Pat☺

[ScatterbrainKid]

..That's also known as "wiping the controls". Navy pilots are taught to do that as the last thing before ANY take-off run, just to be SURE the controls are free & clear..

 

Yes a good waggle of the stick/yoke/rudder pedals is always a good idea.

PS- If the pilot in this vid had done it before trying to take off he'd have known the elevator gust locks were still in place-

[il88pp]

Good mnemonic:

wiggle wiggle wiggle -- Yeah!!

[Clarindo]

Some FSX aircraft have the rudder offset to the right or left when we open a flight (it's an FSX or controller glitch), so waggle and twist your controller to free up the rudder and other control surfaces to allow them to return to centre. Then open the throttle..:)

PS- and un-tick the 'Autorudder' option on the Aircraft Realism screen or it could mess you up.

 

Thank you ScatterbrainKid. That should explain why the aircraft are now rolling straight even before I try any of the valuable suggestions received.

 

Having the Autorudder ticket is not messing it up.

 

Now the question might be: get a new controller or sign up for waggling lessons.

 

Thanks again.

[mikeandpatty]

Do I read that you think you can taxi using the autopilot ("AP" not accurate enough) ???!!!??

[mrzippy]

Do I read that you think you can taxi using the autopilot ("AP" not accurate enough) ???!!!??

 

You read wrong....takeoff roll down the runway.

[paul_c2]

Sounds like a case of either rudder trim not set straight; or you need to wiggle the rudder to ensure its free moving. The reason the plane flies okay in the air, is probably due to autorudder being ticked (or autopilot masking the issue). Once on the ground, rudder is "enabled" to allow turns etc

[PhantomTweak]

Now the question might be: get a new controller or sign up for waggling lessons.

I only waggled to get through college, I swear!

:D :D

Pat☺

[Rupert]

I swear!

:D :D

Pat☺

 

That's what I heard too!

[mrzippy]

I only waggled to get through college, I swear!

:D :D

Pat☺

 

I came, I saw, I waggled! Only once, though!:rolleyes:

[napamule2]

This reminds me of the saying: 'the operation was a success...but the patient died'. Sure wish I had the zip file name and/or what model (freeware) he is having this problem with. Apart from him not having his yoke calibrated it could be the cnt pts and not just his ('freaking') 'technique'.

Chuck B

[Clarindo]

Trying to complete the information I have provided so far:

 

The problem exists with all aircraft (FSX default, addons, single engine, jet, etc.)

 

Have experimented with Yaw Damper Off - Yaw Damper Correction Left and Right - No AutoRudder - " wiping the controls" - and so forth.

 

Have also restarted FSX Steam several times.

 

Have switched to a brand new Extreme 3D Pro Joystick to no avail.

 

I notice it to be an intermittent problem since sometimes it appears to be solved and resurges in a future take-off roll.

 

Will not bother you with additional information nor abuse your great hospitality.

 

The problem maybe the operator at this end.

 

I have not considered any changes to aircraft contact points for lack of knowledge and since so many different aircraft are involved.

 

Thank you all again and please consider this request for assistance as well fulfilled and now cancelled.

 

All the best.

[il88pp]

Trying to ...

The problem exists with all aircraft (FSX default, addons, single engine, jet, etc.)......

........I have not considered any changes to aircraft contact points for lack of knowledge and since so many different aircraft are involved.

 

I completely agree. If it's all aircraft then it's not caused by the contact points.

 

Thank you all again and please consider this request for assistance as well fulfilled and now cancelled.

 

All the best.

Don't see why. operator error?? Well, it must be something that started recently and wasn't there before, right, or you wouldn't have asked. So I doubt it's operator error.

No need to "close the thread".:D:D

[il88pp]

Just to rule out operator error, make sure you apply power slowly and evenly. Don't slam the throttle forward or press F4. Apply a little power until the plane starts rolling, then increase a bit, etc.

[paul_c2]

Maybe its a crumb of food stuck in the keyboard, holding the key down which operates the rudder?

[mallcott]

Ruled out duplicate assignments for rudder?

Apply a little nose down elevator on nose wheel aircraft, up elevator on taildraggers as you start the roll.

 

After waggling the stick, you still need to use the keypad `5`, it does the same thing for trim settings as the waggle does for the main control surfaces.

 

After that, rule out the wind.

[ScatterbrainKid]

..I have not considered any changes to aircraft contact points for lack of knowledge and since so many different aircraft are involved..

 

Good for you, as geeky tweaking should be used only as a last resort, because problems can usually be solved simply by adjusting ingame sliders and buttons settings, that's what they're there for..:)

PS- next time a plane begins to veer, go to external view and pan around to see if the rudder and/or nosewheel is offset left or right causing the turn. If it is, give your joystick, yoke and rudder pedals a good waggling to free them up and to let ALL the control surfaces and nosewheel return to centre.

Real-world pilots waggle, and so should we..:)

 

As Phantom Tweak said earlier-

That's also known as "wiping the controls". Navy pilots are taught to do that as the last thing before ANY take-off run, just to be SURE the controls are free & clear, nothing has fallen into the controls, cranks, cables and so on, in the cockpit, or anywhere else, thus blocking them (a pen, flashlight, small tool of some kind, etc etc etc), and so on.

Sometimes they call it making a "sign of the cross": back and forward, left and right, rudders side to side (with Nose Wheel Steering off, naturally).

[MBKHOU]

Maybe its a crumb of food stuck in the keyboard, holding the key down which operates the rudder?

 

In my case it would likely to be some peach/pecan dunkelweizen... I actually did

that a couple of weeks ago.. Splashed onto the front of my new display too..

But luckily nothing dripped into it enough to cause mayhem. My keyboard, which is

also fairly new was drenched.. I probably spilled 1/3 of a quart as I knocked it over

right into the keyboard and display which is farther back. I'm such a clumsy heathern.. :p