Aircraft Control Question

[Northwest 102]

Ok, this has happened to a few of my aircraft.  First my Perfect Flight MD-11 Combe is having a little control problem.  When I'm taxing out for takeoff or in for parking the aircraft wants to really turn in either direction and will not hold straight when I'm steering it straight.  What causes this and how can I correct it?

MIKE

[papa-metro]

It could be this simple ... is the auto pilot light on? turn it off and also hit key pad 5 to center ailerons & rudder
Papa-metro usaf 1953-57

[Northwest 102]

Thanks so much.  I'll try that.  I'm assuming I should turn numlock off so the outside view does not change or are you saying 5 % key?

MIKE

[papa-metro]

#5 KEYPAD AND YES, NUMLOCK OFF

[Northwest 102]

Thank You!

[beefhole]

I'm not sure whether the thankyou meant you've fixed it or not, but what kind of joystick do you have?  Logitechs are notorious for messing up taxi.

[Northwest 102]

I use the keyboard

MIKE

[Apex]

Hello Mike,

If you indeed use the keyboard only, may I (strongly)suggest you try a joystick.  You can still use the keyboard in certain ways, but a joystick is the way it's done in reality and will solve many flying problems right off.  Cheers, and keep on flying!

Apex

[Northwest 102]

I've tryed and tryed with a joystick and nothing beats thekeyboard for me.

MIKE

[beefhole]

Wow, NEVER heard that before.  Interesting. Whatever floats your boat! (or flies your plane)  ;D

[Northwest 102]

I find the keyboard is more accurate at making the small corrections I need for landing and taking off anyway.  Otherwise the autopilot is at work and I'm taking a nap!

MIKE

Thank you all for those who put their input into this topic by the way.

[Insert Name Here]

Northwest, if you use the keyboard then pressing the #5 key with Num Lock off will center rudder and aileron (sp?).

[Northwest 102]

Thanks!  One other problem I'm having and this has to mainly do with Microsofts Cessna Caravan is when I power up to taxi I only power it up a very little bit cause it wants to just go at only 3% power.  I don't know how to get it at a realistic level.  If I press F3 once while its rolling it want to roll upwards of 40kts?  I don't get it.  Same thing happened when I had Mike Stones Piper Meridian so I dumped it.

MIKE

[Gnome]

One press of F2 (reverse thrust) will reduce the thrust a little for taxying.  You will need to juggle F3 and F1, F2 though.

The flight dynamics for the Caravan are as bad as the rest of the default aircraft.  :-(  Shame, as it is a nice looking model.


Kev

[Northwest 102]

Yeah but the problem was never there before.  It just sorta appeared one day.

MIKE