I have been a desktop pilot for over 8 years and have flown most of all of the software sim's including PS1.3a, PMDG 737NG's, PIC767 and the Level D 767. All all superb in their systems but the biggest glitch in all of the above software is the LACK of a good YOKE & THROTTLE arrangement. I had 2 hours on the real 737 NG-700 flight simulator and I can also tell you that I trained on the PMDG 737NG software and it was a breeze knowing all about the systems and the aircraft in general. The biggest disappointment however is that nobody has developed or marketed a YOKE & RUDDER set-up that is AFFORDABLE with a reasonable real-feel for what it's really like to hand fly the approach/landings & takeoffs.Are there any real pilot's out here that can comment on a halfway decent yoke & rudder system that doesn't break the bank or do I have to purchase the PFC type's? Just asking because flying the real simulator is a 'whole lot different' than a cheap CH yoke & rudder arrangement. Not even close to the real forces involved...It seems ashame that the industry is so far advanced on the software systems and graphics of these highly sophisticated aircraft and have not come up with....as I mentioned before...a medium priced halfway decent 'Yoke & Rudder' combined with a decent Throttle set with TOGA, trim & autopilot disconnects where they should be located. If anybody knows of a system that fulfills all of these criteria, please respond.Regards to all,noullet

Hi ,my thoughts exactly for many years. I'm sure others feel the same. The currant popular USB Yoke and USB rudder pedals,may have gone as far as they can go.That is for the money they charge.There are other equipment out there,BUT,in most instances the costs to us are ,or may be prohibitive.I toyed with the "ASA ON Top "instrument Flight Simulator,at a FBO,its OK. But at over $3100+ a copy ,well!. Our currant control systems are the best we got now.With out them ,Flying FS, would not happen.For that I'm thankful. But, I agree with you ,it always can be better.As I mentioned in an earlier post, the flair,in most planes is a hefty pull in most instances,and not a one finger job. "Regards" VIN

I completely agree. the hardware that time forgot...

I used to own a CH Yoke and Pedals, but sold them again. Why? Because especially the yoke has added really very little to the realism. Any little Cessna yoke has a better feel to it than this flimsy plastic thing that hasn't been updated in, what, 5 years and which operates on a few springs for a manufacturing price of $10.You can get a nice fluid joystick for $30, yet any "non-CH" yoke will set you back at least $500. It is sad, really.Cheers.

Hi,I completly agree with you concerning the lack of realism that commercial systems have to offer and in some cases of poor quality. To solve this problem I decided to design my own yoke, rudder pedals and throttle base on my experience as an amateur aircraft builder. I am in the process of building a prototype and I will post in a near future some pictures as my project goes along. I was away from the flightsim world for quite a while. I am waiting my new hardware I ordered last week and I am eager to take the air again. (AMD 64 socket 939 3500+ ASUS A8N-E 1G Kinston Video card ASUS N7800GTX ULTRA, 120 Go Western Digital Hard drive)I will use my old Logitech Joystick until I complete my yoke and rudder.CheersGeeBee

The main problem I see with the CH Yoke design is the use of a single set of springs for both pitch and bank. Two sets of spring would probably improve the feel and an adjustment knob for each set would let us tune it to the type of aircraft we are flying. Of course it would also be nice if they used a aluminum shaft and bronze bushings. The problem is, how many simmers would be willing to pay additional $ for these improvements?Dale

All things considered, I think that for the money, the CH yoke and rudder pedals do an adequate job. I keep my yoke lubed with a silicone type spray and it works smoothly and the back pressure from the springs, while not the same as a real aircraft, does add partially to the realism in my opinion. I cannot stand flying with joysticks, or without rudder pedals anymore.... If you lay out $1,000+, you can probably get some Yoke-Rudder combos that are better, but to me, it is not worth that amount of money.......

Hi,I have a PFC Jetliner Yoke, I am happy with it. For the price, it should come with Optical Encoder technology instead of potentiometers.If PFC goes the route of Optical Encoders in the future, I hope they offer an upgrade option to existing PFC customers.Standard USB controllers provide a maximum of 255 increments of translated movement. With Optical Encoders, your looking at approximately 1500 points of movement.That