Simviation Forums

I just started playing this sim recently, and i absolutely love it. But one thing that has really been bothering me is that i cant figure out how to control the rudders. I dont have rudder pedals right now, so i have to rely on the keyboard. but i dont know what the keys are.

I know this is a very stupid question but i would really appreciate your help.

For keyboard controls...Num Enter is for right rudder and Num 0 is for left rudder....those controls are set by default

nyy,

Welcome to SimV.

Until you get rudder pedals, you can assign "autorudder" in the setup section.  That will automatically coordinate the rudder with the ailerons.  Keyboard rudder is a pain.

best,

...................john

Welcome to SimV nyy, you've come to the right place. I would take the above advice, but if you have a joystick that has a rotating 'stick', that is automatically assigned to being the rudders (I think.)
  Hope this helps
Cheers  :D

My advice, save up on the money [assuming you get allowances] and buy a set of rudder pedals.

The Saitek X45 control unit is a combination of a joystick and throttle unit [fitted with rudder controls] and it costs about $50 USD. It also comes with a software to assign many functions to the joystick and throttle buttons.

The X45 rules (for the money)- I highly recommend it.
Until you get one of those or rudder pedals, remember that you can assign any keys you like for rudder control (Settings> Controls> Assignments> Keyboard Buttons), or if you have some buttons on your joystick, you can assign those.
Or just go with autorudder, although that makes taxiing kinda tricky (or does it? I've never used autorudder).

I dont know what you guys are talking about with this X45 thing, but I do recommend a joystick with a rudder in it.  Mine has the normal joystick qualities with a throttle and a twist of the stick is the rudder.  Works quite well.

-HF

Highflyer, the X45 has a rocker button/s under the throttle quad it is used as a rudder control. Very useful positioning, no twisting of a stick and its right at your finger tips without interfearing with the stick.

The Saitek X45 is also useful for ground-based addons [like the Volkswagen, military truck, boats, etc.]. For those kinds of addons, all you need is just the throttle unit for rudder control and leave the joystick alone, thrust control, assign a button for brakes, and that's it. This will then all your other hand to do other important things.

However, that only works for ground-based addons. As for aircraft, you'll need both the throttle unit and joystick unit.

If you don't have anything else assigned to it the X-45 can also control the rudder with the top rotary dial on the throttle quadrant. It's especially great for crosswind operations as you can dial in your rudder and leave it there. Almost like a rudder trim. Just don't forget you have it turned. I flew half an hour once trying to figure out why the airplane wouldn't fly straight. Finally realized I had the rotary turned.  ;D

Welcome, nyy. Trying to keep it simple; the rudder is the control surface you use least in normal flight (in real life and on FS9 both). Turns are mostly achieved using banking. Just like a bike, really, at any kind of speed you turn mostly by leaning over. The rudder is mostly useful taxiing on the ground, and for keeping the aeroplane straight on the takeoff run.

The rudder is also useful for landing in crosswinds - but you can do without it by 'aiming off' (i.e. pointing the aeroplane's nose upwind of the runway line). Anyway, you won't have wind problems on FS9 until you start using 'real weather'.

There are two basic types of joystick - the simple two-axis one, and the more expensive 'force feedback' type. One or other of them is essential, flying by 'key control' in FS9 is just about impossible.

If you have a two-axis one, go into 'Settings', then 'Realism', and select 'Autorudder'.  You will then find that, in flight, the game will automatically coordinate rudder with aileron movements. For taxiing and taking off, you can work the rudder by moving the stick sideways.

If you have a force-feedback one, you can still use 'Autorudder' when you're starting off. But if you turn 'Autorudder' off, twisting the stick works the rudder.

Rudder pedals would be nice for complete realism - but they're not essential.

The main thing, if you're starting out, is to GET FLYING. And start off by doing the first batch of lessons with Rod Machado (the Student Pilot' ones). They only take about five minutes each, and they are definitely the shortest way to get the basic hang of things. They'll get you off to a flying start, if you'll excuse the pun  

Thanks guys

about the rudder being the least used surface... i used to feel the same way when i used my force feedback jostick with twist rudder... now i have a yoke set with pedals, and i realised i use the rudder a lot more now

i think we hesitate to use the rudder with the twist grip because when it's difficult to control the twist along with the up/down left/right axises (word?)

when you have your rudder under your feet (which is where they should be), you get to use them with much more ease, and make coordinated turns like the pros do

moach

Generally agree, Moach - especially about 'stick-twisting' being difficult and 'unnatural'. But I'm sure that you will agree in your turn that we shouldn't give a new flyer like nyy the idea that pinpoint rudder control is essential before you can start having fun with FS9.  :)

There's also the question of the degree of use, as well as the frequency. Even in real flying, you very seldom move the rudder much, particularly to coordinate turns - it's usually more a matter of 'stiffening your leg' than actively pushing the pedal.

About the 'twist', I'm currently trying to develop another landing tutorial - this one on VFR crosswind landings. I have it in mind to cover both the methods - 'aiming off' first, then the 'pro' method of banking slightly into the wind and preventing sideslip with opposite ('up') rudder.

In doing so I finally discovered a way of reducing the conflict between twisting the stick and still being able to control pitch and roll; and I may as well put it on here for anyone else who finds it difficult.

I've found that the trick in handling a crosswind is to 'twist your hand' - that is, alter your grip on the stick so that your hand holds a touch of rudder on, in the appropriate direction, without you having to think about it (a bit like a using a 'backhand grip' on a tennis racquet!). Then control direction with small adjustments of the bank angle, NOT by applying more or less rudder.

Not perfect - and certainly not as good as having pedals, I grant you. But better than nothing!