Time to take autorudder off, where should I start?

[Aiden327]

I added up my christmas money and I finaly decided on which pedals to get. Becuase I am in need of a new joystick and a yoke would not work with any off my military sims I decided to get a Logitech G940 set. It looks amazing with a large dual throttle perfect for twin engine aircraft and its very similar to the design of the A-10c stick.

I have tried using my racing pedals for about 2 months now with DCS: Blackshark and I understand fully how to apply the pedals to a hellicopter. Now my questions revolve around Fixed wing aircraft.

I noticed along time ago with my twist stick that the rudder does not "turn" the plane but rotates it around the point of lift, and the effect of the rudder seems temporary as the aircraft refuses to stay where you leave it and returns to its original position. I belive I understand why this happens, but I was wondering if somebody could explain it to me in detail?

My other question is how do I apply this to the slipping effect of a fixed wing aircraft during a turn? Do I turn first and then move the rudders to correct the slipping indicator or to I move them with the banking of the wings trying not to over correct?

Also what is the proper way to put my feet on the pedals, I have always heard to keep your heals on the floor to avoid engaging the brakes in mid air, however the pedals I am getting with the stick have notches for your heals and are modeled after F/A-18 and A-10 pedals. 

Thanks

Aiden

[Brett_Henderson]

The aerodynamics of it all, are too complex to cover in one post (or thread)(or entire forum).. but you've got a good grasp on the basics.

You can turn (change heading), by rudder alone, but as you've "seen", it's awkward and inefficient. Yawing will point the nose, hence redirect thrust, so you end up with a new heading.. but you're fighting the tendency of the airplane to want to fly straight and level, like fighting a "weather-vane".

When you turn by banking, you're redirecting lift, so the airplane happily "flies" toward it's new heading. Compensating for the loss off vertical lift by elevator, is also part of coordianting a turn, as can be adding power for extended, steep turning.

Rudder use is as much an art, as it is a science. And the turn-coordinator is used at first by students, as a reference. You'll soon develop a feel that's even more accurate, because a pefectly coordinated turn, is not always a centered ball.

Now.. as you first enter a turn, you'll experience "adverse yaw". This is the tendency for the nose to yaw a bit, in a direction opposite the turn... Once the turn is established, perfect coordination could very well be with no rudder input at all.. depending on the airplane, its airspeed, its weight and current CoG. During a climbing turn, it can take OPPOSITE rudder to coordinate it all.. and remember.. elevator and thrust are variables too.

A maneuver designed to help illustrate the adverse yaw, is called ,

[Aiden327]

Thank your for the reply, that makes alot of sense. I am now so eager to try this out, but my set is still shipping 

If I have any more questions I will ask when I get the pedals.

Aiden

[JoBee]

Great post Brett.

You always give thorough and concise replies.

Applying wheel brakes in flight is harmless.

In fact, isn't applying brakes in flight commonly done before retracting gear?

cheers,
Joe

[Brett_Henderson]

Good point.. yes.. Even a Piper Arrow, is going some 80mph when it lifts off.. and tires spinning at 80mph  could    expand (centrifugal force) enough to be problematic when going into the gear bay.. I try to tap the brakes before retraction..

[Aiden327]

Very good point, I will remeber that. Should be a few days before it ships 

[C]

In fact, isn't applying brakes in flight commonly done before retracting gear?

I wouldn't say so. Most aircraft where it could be an issue (ie big ones) will have automatic systems which stop the wheels rotating during retraction, or even cruder, abrasive strips in the wheel well to stop them (particularly on nose gear, where applying the brakes will do nothing to stop the wheel(s) rotating!). Friction on the axle's going to start slowing them quite quickly anyway.