Newbie Question

[StarRuler]

Hey all, I'm brand new to FS2004, and i've been reading tutorials and such, all very confusing

I have 2 questions actually, First off, just recently, any time I try to take off, the plane auto banks to the right and attempts to take off on its own.  :-?  I've turned all the autopilot options off and such, all weather is clear, no winds, nothing. I also checked my joystick calibration, all is fine. What am I missing here? Thanks.

And for my second question, What's the easiest way of locating the runway I want to land on, on the GPS? Please explain to me step by step, thanks guys!  ;D

[Fozzer]

First of all....take the lessons in the FS 2004 "Learning Zone", using the Cessna 172 Trainer......!

Learn in small, easy stages, step by step... ...!

Its what real Pilots have to do, to earn their Pilots Licence......!

Paul...G-BPLF.... 8-)...!

[Apex]

Hello and welcome aboard.

Paul's advice is good. Yes, take the flying lessons, slowly.

[Nav]

[quote]First off, just recently, any time I try to take off, the plane auto banks to the right and attempts to take off on its own.

[Groundbound1]

The engine torque effect that Nav refers to, can be eliminated by reducing the sim's realism settings.

Also, what joystick are you using? I had an issue with mine (Logitech Extreme 3D Pro) not long ago, were it calibrated and checked out just fine, but it was causing a similar issue. Just a steady hard pull to the left. All I had to do was unplug it from my machine, and plug it in to a different USB port. This made Windows detect it as "new hardware" and it reset everything back to normal. I never found out how the controls or calibration had gotten messed up to begin with, but doing that set it back right. Being such a simple thing to do, I though it might be worth a try.

[Fozzer]

I've spent the past 10+ years, daily practicing, and developing my flying skills, in my little Cessna 150 Trainer......

...I think I've got the hang of it now!...

[dave3cu]

Welcome StarRuler,

GPS (Garmin 500)-for airport runway and other info:

Press NRST
Use inner arrows (on PUSH CRSR knob) to select 'Nearest Airport' list.
Press PUSH CRSR to get list cursor.
Use outer arrows to move list cursor to desired airport.
Press ENT
Use inner arrows to cycle thru airport/waypoint info to find the simple airport diagram

The proceedure is the same on the 295, just the buttons are arranged differently.

Nearest Airport list is limited to about 30nm. Beyond that range use the map.
The airport diagram gives limited info on the primary runway. It gives no info on runway in use. For that you'll have to tune AWOS for an uncontrolled airport and make your decision based on wind conditions. At controlled airports, to get the info prior to contacting the tower,

[beaky]

The problem with torque and prop effects being the cause of StarRuler's right-turning tendency is that the vast majority of piston engines rotate clockwise (as seen from behind it), causing the plane to want to rotate, and of course yaw, the other way (to the pilot's left)... which requires right rudder to compensate.

The question of whether or not this happens to you with all aircraft is very important...in a jet, you won't get this torque effect.

So... if it's not that... are you sure you have not inadvertently applied rudder trim (I think there are default key commands in the sim for that, and sometimes even planes that don't have rudder trim in real life have it in the sim)?

And are you absolutely sure the autopilot is off? All you need to do to turn the autopilot on or off is to hit "Z" on the keyboard. With most FS models, when you turn off the AP you will hear a tone (three beeps, if I remember right). That's the simplest way to be sure: hit Z until you hear those beeps.

[Apex]

Interesting feedback from Groundbound1 re: Logitech Extreme 3D Pro, which is the one I use.  I've gone through several, after a lot, I mean a lot of use, I found that they developed a slight left yaw, that is, let go of the stick while ailerons are level, and the aircraft will slowly tilt left.  All aircraft, even jets.   Realism settings all off.  Sometimes a restart helps, but I had not thought of trying another port.  The 3D I currently have has not developed that problem, but thanks for that, good for future reference, and thanks to everyone else for other tips here.

[StarRuler]

thanks a lot for all the helpful info. im training in the learning center now =)