Hi,I've been a "bus driver" for a long time :-halo but since ACOF it seems that PSS are having problems getting the 330/340 to work smoothly. I'm waiting for the various issues to be addressed so until then the buses have been hangered.I recently purchased the PMDG 737NG. Great VC...absolutely immersive :)However I'm having a problem with the autopilot and have no idea what I'm doing wrong.I followed Tim's excellent tutorial to the letter but whenever I try to change the heading bug or when the plane reaches a waypoint which initiates a course change the autopilot disconnects and my joystick begins to gyrate wildly forcing the plane to do a bucking bronco act until I disengage the autopilot, stabilize the aircraft by hand and then try to re-engage.I have seen nothing mentioned in the various forum posts so I'm beginning to feel that this may be a specific hardware/software problem to my setup. Here's a list of what I have:ASUS P4P800/p4 2.4/512MB ram/Sapphire Radeon 9600 128MB/Audigy 2/Sidewinder Force Feedback2 joystick/FSUIPC (registered)/Active Camera/FSBuild/PSS A330-340/Flight1 Meridian and Archer/various simflier airports/FlyTampa-Miami-SanDiego/Megascenery SoCal...etc, etc, etc...Any ideas?? Not being able to fly the NG is getting to be REALLY frustrating :(Tony

The problem is the joystick. You are suffering from Force Feedback induced osiliations.Let me guess, you are flying hands off when on auto pilot. When the AP makes a turn the force feedback will cause the JS to move in the direction of the control input. This movement causes over control, the AP will then correct in the other direction usually causing the JS to flop over in the direction of the correction. This then builds until the AP disconnects and the JS is flailing around wildly.The problem is simple, but con not be easily corrected, the joystick needs mechanical damping. The fix is to turn off force feedback, but then you just have a joystick, or hang on to the JS for the enitre duration of the flight.

Hi Mikeand thanks for the prompt, albeit not so encouraging reply.It has however gotten me thinking that this may not be a machine-specific problem since I'm sure there are many other armchair pilots out there with ForceFeedback Sidewinders who aren't experiencing this. Also, it has never happened with any of the other addon aircraft I have (such as the PSS series and Flight1's Meridian and Archer).The oscillations even occur when I command a LvlChg...*sigh*I mean, what's the point of that great cabin when a captain can't even sit down for a quick chat and a soda? :-hah Suggestions anyone?Cheers,Tony

The sidewinder FFB should NOT be apllying forces if your hand is not on the joystick... Happened once... In the front part where your fingers go ther's a sensor, I suppose it'a a sort of IR-LED.... from just below the trigger button down to the "ring" just above the base. Check ther's no dirt in there ;) Bye, Luca

Hi Tony.To be honest I would recommend getting your hands on the C&H yoke and rudder pedals. I found the FFB joystick ok but I never tried it with PMDG. I think the C&H route is definatly the way to go. You sound like a sirious simmer. The price has come down a lot on C&H's stuff. I use the USB versions of C&H and what a difference, I'm positive you will enjoy em.The only problem I had was that after a while you had to apply/squirt a little silicone lube on the shaft. This restores the yoke to like new sesitivity, highly recommended.No I do not work for C&H!regards

Just an update concerning the bucking bronco act :-hah A simple re-installation of the Forcefeedback stick solved all problems. This bird is flying sweet now! Can't wait for it's big brother (747) and long, boring transcontinental flights :-lol Thanks to all for your input. The CH combo is a definite 'must', Buck, but since I'll be building myself a new computer pretty soon I'll have to wait and see how much change I have left over. *grin*Cheers,Tony