by Brett_Henderson » Fri Feb 29, 2008 6:06 pm
The technique for rudder use (whether it be fighting P-factor, landing in a crosswind, or just coordinating a turn) depends on your hardware. Are you using a yoke and pedals.. or a joystick with the twisting rudder ?
With a the rudder pedals, it's pretty easy... You just ease the rudder in proportionally, as it's called for, and can even feather in a little differential braking when push comes to shove... With the joystick, it's a little tricky, because you have to manage pitch, roll AND yaw with your wrist. Finessing a nice, constant bank-angle and maintaining steady pitch is tough enough. Having to modulate the rudder with that same wrist takes lots of practice... you end up doing a lot of, "all or nothing" with the rudder.. then end up zig-zaging down the runway. Also.. with the joystick, your differential braking is "all or nothing", compounding the problem.
There are some compromises for using the joystick. First, you can tune the realism settings down, so that the P-factor (what you're probably experiencing) is less. You can tinker with null-zones and sensitivity for the rudder axis... or you can just turn on the "Auto Rudder" function... but that takes away your ability to cross-control for crosswind landing, and it negates the option of slipping.
