Aerosoft F-16 afterburner issue

[Hazet54]

Hi all,

 

I flew the Aerosoft f-16 without any problems for a long time.

However, a few days ago I suddenly have this problem with the afterburner.

When I increase thrust the afterburner kicks in, but...when I apply max thrust the afterburner stutters and stops working.

 

So I checked with other a/c: the same problem !

Thinking it might have to do with the Saitek X52 Pro I'm using, I re-calibrated the stick. Problem is still there.

 

I also tried re-installing the Aerosoft F-16 package. No avail.

I checked panel.cfg for the required slashes for Accel-users.

 

I've checked this forum and Aerosoft's, but did not find a solution.

 

I'm running FSX Acceleration on W10.

 

I have no idea how to fix this problem.

Anything I might have overlooked?

[rcbarend]

Hi,

 

This sounds like a Hardware problem with your flightstick (== dirt, accumulated at the end of resistance area of a potentiometer, or worn-out taper of the throttle potmeter of the flightstick ).

 

Try this:

When the AB has kicked in (so at NO full throttle), press the key assigned to 'full throttle' (default: F4).

WITHOUT touching your flightstick.

If that works OK: your flightstick throttle potmeter is the problem.

 

Calibrating your flightstick won't help, since it's an intermittant problem.

If it's dirt in the potmeter: the only thing that might help, is cleaning the potmeter with a contact-spray.

But then you have to open-up the flightstick assembly.

But if it's a worn-out potmeter, only remedy is to replace that part (or buy a new flightstick).

 

Of course, my comment is based on you saying you have the same problem with other aircraft, and that re-callibration doesn't help.

 

Another way of establishing IF it's a dirty, or worn-out, throttle potmeter of your stick:

Load a flight with a default aircraft, like a 737 or 747.

Shut down the engines, open the VC (or 2D panel window) that shows the Throttles animation).

Now move the Throttle lever on your flightstick for idle to full a few times, and see if it visually 'jitters' at any point (especially in the nearly-full range).

If it does, it's certainly a flightstick hardware problem.

 

Rob

Edited June 25, 2021 by rcbarend

[Hazet54]

Hi,

 

This sounds like a Hardware problem with your flightstick (== dirt, accumulated at the end of resistance area of a potentiometer, or worn-out taper of the throttle potmeter of the flightstick ).

 

Try this:

When the AB has kicked in (so at NO full throttle), press the key assigned to 'full throttle' (default: F4).

WITHOUT touching your flightstick.

If that works OK: your flightstick throttle potmeter is the problem.

 

Calibrating your flightstick won't help, since it's an intermittant problem.

If it's dirt in the potmeter: the only thing that might help, is cleaning the potmeter with a contact-spray.

But then you have to open-up the flightstick assembly.

But if it's a worn-out potmeter, only remedy is to replace that part (or buy a new flightstick).

 

Of course, my comment is based on you saying you have the same problem with other aircraft, and that re-callibration doesn't help.

 

Another way of establishing IF it's a dirty, or worn-out, throttle potmeter of your stick:

Load a flight with a default aircraft, like a 737 or 747.

Shut down the engines, open the VC (or 2D panel window) that shows the Throttles animation).

Now move the Throttle lever on your flightstick for idle to full a few times, and see if it visually 'jitters' at any point (especially in the nearly-full range).

If it does, it's certainly a flightstick hardware problem.

 

Rob

 

@rcbarend: Thanks for your advice. I'll give it a try tomorrow since I am not at home tonight (living in the Netherlands). I will let you know the results!

[Hazet54]

Hi,

Sorry, it took me a little longer.

It looks like it's a hardware problem.

I will open up the throttle and see if contactspray will do the trick.

 

Thnx and greetings from Holland

[Hazet54]

Before opening the X52 I tried to fly the F16 with my old Logitech Extreme 3D flightstick.

Result: exactly the same problem !

So I think it is not a hardware-problem. But I'm not really a tech-guy so I might be wrong...

Any other ideas please ??

[rcbarend]

What was the result of testing this:

 

1. When the AB has kicked in (so at NO full throttle), press the key assigned to 'full throttle' (default: F4).

WITHOUT touching your flightstick.

 

2. Load a flight with a default aircraft, like a 737 or 747.

Shut down the engines, open the VC (or 2D panel window) that shows the Throttles animation).

Now move the Throttle lever on your flightstick for idle to full a few times, and see if it visually 'jitters' at any point (especially in the nearly-full range).

 

 

Rob

[Hazet54]

What was the result of testing this:

 

1. When the AB has kicked in (so at NO full throttle), press the key assigned to 'full throttle' (default: F4).

WITHOUT touching your flightstick.

 

2. Load a flight with a default aircraft, like a 737 or 747.

Shut down the engines, open the VC (or 2D panel window) that shows the Throttles animation).

Now move the Throttle lever on your flightstick for idle to full a few times, and see if it visually 'jitters' at any point (especially in the nearly-full range).

 

 

Rob

 

Hi Rob,

 

Pressing F4 when AB kicked in gave the same result: AB stuttering and eventually it 'dies'.

Using the default 737: when I move throttle from flightstick from idle to full the throttle animation shows erratic behaviour; so, yes, jitters.

 

I tried the same with my old flightstick: same results.

Does that mean it is a softwareproblem? It would be quite a coincidence if booth sticks had hardwareproblems....?

 

I also opened up the throttle and applied some contactspray, to no avail...

Edited June 28, 2021 by Hazet54

[Hazet54]

Any other suggestions please ?

 

 

Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met Tapatalk

[mrzippy]

Have you tried a different USB port to plug in your Joystick/throttle into?

[rcbarend]

Hi Rob,

 

Using the default 737: when I move throttle from flightstick from idle to full the throttle animation shows erratic behaviour; so, yes, jitters.

 

I tried the same with my old flightstick: same results.

Does that mean it is a softwareproblem? It would be quite a coincidence if booth sticks had hardwareproblems....?

At least you have proven (with the default 737 test) that it's not related to a specific aircraft, and has nothing to do with Afterburners.

 

Other then a USB controller problem on your PC (not very likely) , the last thing I can think of:

In the Setting-Controls menu, Tab ControlAxis, check that (for ALL controllers in the 'ControllerType' list) only ONE axis is assigned to Event 'Throttle Axis' or 'Engine 1 throttle axis'.

Because if multiple controller axis (actually connected to the PC) are assigned to Throttle, they WILL influence eachother.

Especially if one of those axis is jittering ....

 

If that's not the case, I'm out of idea's ...sorry.

 

Rob

[Hazet54]

Hi,

 

Thanks for the input Rob and MrZippy!

 

I checked for double assignments, but there were none.

I also tried several usb-ports, but it gave the same results.

 

This morning it came to my mind that it might have to do with (one of) the connections of the other devices: yoke, trimwheel, radiopanel, etc. that are all connected via a powered USB-hub.

So I disconnected the USB-hub and voila....X52 working like a charme. Throttle/AB working oke.

 

So now I have to find out wich of the devices caused the problem.

Very strange though that I never experienced this problem before; I have the USB-hub connected for a long time without any problem ?!

 

Well, at least I can fly the F-16 again!

 

Thank you for your advices/suggestions!