Money well spent

[happytraveller]

I had been looking at getting a set of rudder pedals for a LONG time, just never seemed to get arount to actually buying them. Finally I have got them, after a good price online tempted me . Definitely money well spent, as it really does increase the flying experience (at least on GA aircraft). Wonderful to fly around without auto-rudder, and also be able to crab the aircraft in crosswinds.

I went for the Saitek pedals (already had their yoke and throttles), but reading the reviews it seemed an even split between CH and Saitek. You pays yer money and yer takes your choice.

So if you have a few dollars spare, then a set of rudder pedals is a great add-on. Now I might even try one of those whirly helicopter things..........

smooth landings (rudder assisted).

[Naki]

Yes agree...I still use my twist grip at times out of habit...but the rudder pedals are really useful for cross wind and/or taildraggers (which I have lot of)

[brad63]

Also with the toe brakes makes taxiing a breeze.Just set up sensitivity and resistance and youre away.
One of my fav bits of hardware.

[Ian Warren]

Had a CH set for years , diffrencial braking is a must for many off the WWII type a must for the DC-3 , course your whirly birds , Jerry - money well spent alright

[morrisman1]

Recently I bought a logitech g940 flight system and yes it is brilliant. Only complaint is the rudder pedals need more resistance. As those of you out there who also fly real planes the rudder pedals are not usually soft to push and in some types are bloody hard! The logitech ones are far too soft. I might look at seeing if I can put a bigger spring in them. Toe brakes are marvelous but really highlight how sticky the ground is in FSX.

[Olderndirt]

QUOTE (morrisman1 @ Jun 21 2011,5:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Recently I bought a logitech g940 flight system and yes it is brilliant. Only complaint is the rudder pedals need more resistance. As those of you out there who also fly real planes the rudder pedals are not usually soft to push and in some types are bloody hard! The logitech ones are far too soft. I might look at seeing if I can put a bigger spring in them. Toe brakes are marvelous but really highlight how sticky the ground is in FSX.

The Saitek's I use sound very similar. Perhaps the biggest failing with FS is its inability to replicate the airflow pressures on control surfaces encountered in real flight. A bonus feature, I've found, is the relaxation for these old legs with my feet elevated slightly just keeping the aircraft rudder between my feet.

[Timmo]

Not sure which ones you have exactly morrisman, but on my ones there is a Central knob for adjusting the friction of the rudder pedals.

[AndrewJamez]

Love my Saiteks as well, wished i had bought them years ago, picked mine up for $140, unwanted gift. My last basic flight revision for my microlight pilot license was a breeze. Because I dont do a lot of flying due to family constraints the first thing I loose is the foot work. An instructor knows straight away that you have a way to go when you start trying to turn the plane on the ground using aileron input. At the time of my last BFR i had owned my pedals for about 4 months. He said to me after the flight, "Andrew your flyings Bloody near perfect, you just have to catch up on your aviation law." I had not parked my bum in a real plane for nearly 3 years. Had I not been flying almost daily in FSX with a realistic flight control setup I am sure I would have failed my BFR misirably.

[happytraveller]

Good to see a 100% agreement on this one, seems that everybody finds the same benefit with them. On the Saitek Pro Rudder pedals, you can adjust the resistance of the pedals (knob in the centre for just that purpose). Also I liked the fact that the USB connection goes into the Saitek flight yoke controller, so that you do not need to use another USB port on the computer.

Perhaps the only negative point is that the Saitek controls do feel a bit plasticky, but once you are flying then you forget about that.

Smooth landings.

[Olderndirt]

QUOTE (happytraveller @ Jun 22 2011,4:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good to see a 100% agreement on this one, seems that everybody finds the same benefit with them. On the Saitek Pro Rudder pedals, you can adjust the resistance of the pedals (knob in the centre for just that purpose). Also I liked the fact that the USB connection goes into the Saitek flight yoke controller, so that you do not need to use another USB port on the computer.

Perhaps the only negative point is that the Saitek controls do feel a bit plasticky, but once you are flying then you forget about that.

Smooth landings.

They're tough enough - others are merely using 'pot' metal. Personally I fly mine barefoot.

[AndrewJamez]

Yep I like bare feet (or socks) because me slippers are so long they hit the wall before full deflection. I will have to amend my preflight checklist - Harnesses' and hatches - secure, slippers off, controls full and free, traffic check, radio call, bugger me toes are getting cold.

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE (morrisman1 @ Jun 22 2011,1:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As those of you out there who also fly real planes the rudder pedals are not usually soft to push and in some types are bloody hard! The logitech ones are far too soft. I might look at seeing if I can put a bigger spring in them.

One thing i recall Deane mention about flying a Huey , was the preasure required on the pedals to counter react the energy in the rotor , really had to push on them .

[Olderndirt]

QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Jun 22 2011,7:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

One thing i recall Deane mention about flying a Huey , was the preasure required on the pedals to counter react the energy in the rotor , really had to push on them .

Airflow'll do that.

[deaneb]

QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Jun 23 2011,2:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

One thing i recall Deane mention about flying a Huey , was the preasure required on the pedals to counter react the energy in the rotor , really had to push on them .

Actually Ian - it wasn't the pressure as they easy to press - It was the large amount of movement you need to put in to counteract a big increase in torque. I was quite surprised, especially compared to the cyclic. The cyclic is very sensitive - you only have to think about moving it and you are off in that direction!!