Flight Yokes for FS 2002

[Luca_brasi]

Just interested in any advice on getting a Flight Yoke and Rudder Pedals for FS 2002. Have just tried flying with the keyboard and am absolutley hopeless, keys are either way too sensitive or not responsive enough plus a few other things.

Any recommendations will be mostly appreciated on costs, places of purchase and any other good ideas.

I also have the Melb scenary and have found it isnt as good as what it claims to be, nor are the graphics as good as the screen shots. Anybody else have the same problem???

Would also love to hear from anyboody who can actually fly in FS 2002 just using the keyboard.

Thanks in advance

[G.A. Boy]

I agree, using the keyboard is hopeless. I play FS2002 with a $40 Joystick, that works fine. Looked at yokes but seemed a bit exy. I will stick to my joystick.

[OzFlight.net]

Gday Luca_brasi,

flying with the keyboard is not realisticall possible.

For yoke and other hardware add ons have a look at www.pcaviator.com.au who are based in Melbourne. They have flight yokes, pedals and stuff however the costs start at $300 each roughly. I have had both; if you get any spend the extra and get usb not game port ones.

I have since sold mine cause they took up too much room and most of my flying was ifr procedural stuff where i was learning the means of flying IFR and not so much of flying the plane, hence use of autopilot.

I found that a good microsoft sidewinder or logitech joystick will do just as good a job. From my expereience it is not worth it, get hold of a joystick first and pretend your in an airbus. Get a good 4 axis one (normal joystick you can twist for rudders and has a separate throttle built in) and you'll be set.

If you are in Melbourne you can actually go to the PC Aviator store and try it if you like..

Skip

[P-air]

I recomend the Microsoft Precision Pro Force Feedback 2 Joystick

Has throttle and for rudder you twist the stick...much better than a yoke and rudder pedals, alot more fun too.

Harvey Normans for $169

[Terrain Terrain]

Hello P-air.

I really don't think you can go past the CH Products range of hardware. I use the yoke and pedals, USB interface. Works a treat and is as realistic as it gets without sending Frasca your Visa details.

I bought mine in Singapore where I live but the second cheapest I found was from the US. CH Products have a website that will sell directly. Otherwise use one of the 'hardware search' engines on the net that check a number of computer sellers. MOST only ship within the US though. So research or get a friend there to re-post for you. PC Aviator is fantastic and the sales staff know what they're on about but...$$$ Your call.

Hope this helps :>

TT

[Towering Q]

MS Sidewinder Forcefeed joystick is the go. It forces you to think about trim and there's even a 'bump' after you select gear up.

[zhishengji751]

Ive found the logitech joysticks to fade/spike etc after a while, so I dont think thats money well spent. The throttle slider is terrible. I know a number of others who have also ditched their logitechs.

For a stick twist rudder, the microsoft sidewinder2 ff is very good quality, and should last a long time. One thing I like about the FF2 is that the centering forces can be altered, so it can be setup to more suit your style.. ie: strong centering force etc. Trimming with the stick is also quite easy, as the forces are only 'on' when you have your pinkie around the grip (it has a sensor there), so depending on how you hold it, its possible to use it without any centering forces etc.

If you like more HOTAS setup, the Saitek X45 is great value for a seperate joystick and throttle. The throttle also has a large rocker switch which can be mapped for rudder. It also has a number of trim pots so you can trim out elevator and ailerons etc. Its fully programmable. It has third party programming support for windows XP.
The X45 can be bought for $165 at microdirect, and that includes postage.

I'd also recommend seperate CH pedals if you can go the cost.
PC Aviator sell the pedals.

[Luca_brasi]

Thanks for all the responses guys

ive been to the pcaviatior store and had a look at the yokes and pedals and thats what im looking at getting once i get a bit more money. defintly going for USB and going for the yoke with mixture/throttle/pitch.

To put into perspective im getting my PPL in 2 weeks and it will just be IFR work, VOR intercepts and things like that. Have found that the Melb scenary is pretty crap though and u cant really see anything out the windows anyway, nor is landing too great.

Just as a side note where can i download a P28 Warrior aircraft??

Thanks guys

[elad]

I have a Ch product yoke im wanting to sell as I have recently purchased a 2nd one. In regards to your PA28 go to www.flightsim.com and check the main menu and search the file library.

[zhishengji751]

http://www.aerosoft.com.au/

No doubt more than your after, but these guys do the whole kit!

[Loco's Smoko]

If you are reasonably handy with a soldering iron and hand tools, you could always try making your own. Certainly much cheaper than 300 bucks.

Try
http://mypage.direct.ca/b/bsimpson/byoc~1a.html

for examples. All you have to do is solder up some potentiometers, then make some sort of a rudder bar, and bingo