Airliner Flying

[xerxes]

I have been flying on MSFS for years.  I have always used just the keyboard and have got quite good at it.  However, I have never been able to maintain straight and level flight in jets, especially the airliners.  I always use autopilot on instrument approaches until after crossing the outer marker, then begin a sloppy descent to the runway manually.

I was wondering if anyone has any comments about maintaining altitude without using the autopilot.  Am I applying power incorrectly?  Turning and maintaining altitude, airspeed and all seems impossible in FS.  Is it easier using flight controls ie rudder pedals and joysticks?

[DaveSims]

Definitely get at least a joystick.  I wouldn't fly FS without one.

[garryrussell]

Although not as good as yoke and pedals a Joystick is good enough.

With a twist for the rudder even a chepo one is far better than the keyboard. 8-)

You can move the stick quickly giving rapid control responces on landing which tbh I find nigh on i,possible on the keyboad due to the slowness and lag.

You can set the keyboard resonse to be quicker but then you can't give it long slow movements and make gentle turns so easily.

Get a joystick..you won't regret it

Garry

[olderndirt]

Get a joystick..you won't regret it

Absolutely - you'll find very few keyboards in use on airliners (opportunity for a smartass remark here) so, depending on your preferences - airliners or more maneuverable - get a stick or a yoke and, if your wallet's full, look at some rudder pedals too.

[Jeff.Guo]

Absolutely - you'll find very few keyboards in use on airliners

...Speak fer yer self.

[stevehookem]

Absolutely - you'll find very few keyboards in use on airliners

...Speak fer yer self.

Yeah, but you cut out the joysticks in that picture. Still don't fly with the keyboard.

[Ang2dogs]

[glow=yellow,2,300]Get a joystick..you won't regret it [/glow]:)

Absolutely - [glow=yellow,2,300]you'll find very few keyboards in use on airliners [/glow](opportunity for a smartass remark here)[ OK you asked for it ] so, depending on your preferences - airliners or more maneuverable - get a stick or a yoke and, if your wallet's full, look at some rudder pedals too.

You could ask those pilots, who were playing with themseleves, ah I mean playing with there keyboards, that over shot Minnasota by 150 miles,,,,,,,,,

Anyway YES a joystick is the way to go at the least!



But as a simpilot, I find using autopilot helps to get the heavys lined up nice about 5 miles out, than if conditions are going good i'll take control just before I'm over the thrushole.

[xerxes]

LOL!

Guess I should get some flight controls!

[garymbuska]

Save up your money and get some peddles it makes flying so much more realistic. Especially in cross wind landings the auto rudder just does not cut it. 8-)

[olderndirt]

I had a hunch there'd be a smartass remark  .

[gypsymoth]

I've got a joystick & never have crosswinds.........

[xerxes]

I was more concerned about longitudinal stability rather than directional.

[Fozzer]

I was more concerned about longitudinal stability rather than directional.

Definitely time to get a Stick of Joy Joystick with Twist control and Throttle...including a few buttons......!

..that's when the Sim suddenly comes to life!.... [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]...!

Rudder Pedels PEDALS can come later.......!

Paul....G-BPLF...FS 2004...Bicycle Pedals are bad for you... ...!

[xerxes]

I was more concerned about longitudinal stability rather than directional.

Definitely time to get a Stick of Joy Joystick with Twist control and Throttle...including a few buttons......!

..that's when the Sim suddenly comes to life!.... [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]...!

Rudder Pedels PEDALS can come later.......!

Paul....G-BPLF...FS 2004...Bicycle Pedals are bad for you... ...!

Yeah Fozzer, I'll look into that for xmas. Thanks everyone.

[xerxes]

Also, I was wondering about power settings on approach.  Is a jet the same as a prop, that is, set the power for descent and leave it and control airspeed with pitch?  I think I heard way back that with jets it's the opposite, power to airspeed and pitch to rate-of-descent.  Any real world jet pilots out there?