Hello,Can someone explain me how to use the rudder?For example, if the wind is blowing you to the right, I presume to switch the rudder to the left...How do you know if you have to put your rudder all to the left, or just a bit, or ...?All information is welcome!!!!!Ciao,Alexander

Alexander, this is a basic stick and rudder question. May I suggest you learn to use the rudder is the C172, and take the MSFS tutorials. You'll learn about adverse yaw and how to use slips in crosswind landings.

Hello,Can someone explain me how to use the rudder?For example, if the wind is blowing you to the right, I presume to switch the rudder to the left...How do you know if you have to put your rudder all to the left, or just a bit, or ...?All information is welcome!!!!!Ciao,Alexander

I agree with the above post. Work on landings in something a little less complex - like a C172, and then come back to the B737.Here's some more info to check out:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crab_landinghttp://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviatio...hapter%2005.pdfHave fun!

To be fair, there's no P-factor in a 737, so the 172 isn't entirely the same beast, although on landing, it shouldn't matter. But, you're right, you should know how it works at 90k before you do it at 160k.

I had a similar question when I started taking flying lessons. When I asked my instructor, a commercial 737 pilot for a budget Irish airline, he shrugged and said he had only used the rudder twice in his career.

The Air Force aero clubs have inside jokes about having to teach jet jocks how to use rudders.

I had a similar question when I started taking flying lessons. When I asked my instructor, a commercial 737 pilot for a budget Irish airline, he shrugged and said he had only used the rudder twice in his career.

Impossible! At speeds above 30kts, it is not allowed to use the nose steering wheel to control the direction of the aircraft. Unless his 737 can run out of the runway with no damage, it is a vital obligation for him to use rudder.

Yeah I think the guy was just joking with you, no need to use the rudder in most regimes of flight but you do need it for engine out, Runway centerline on T/O & landing and I doubt he flew his entire career without performing a crosswind landing :)Rob

Rudder pedals ought to be mandatory equipment for all flight simmers. The day I unchecked the "auto-rudder" box in FS9 options and rudder-steered that nosewheel on the take off roll for the first time, I only began to understand how much hand-flying realism I'd been missing up till that point. The best came later though, when I finally started to get the hang of crosswind landings. For some reason, the most ferocious crosswinds I've found so far in Fs9 are when I select the weather to "major thunderstorm" and "maximum rate of change" for a hand-flown ILS approach over the San Francisco Bay into KSFO runway 28R. The intensities and sudden shifts in crosswind direction during that approach make for one heck of a rudder workout, and with my right hand on the TQ6 throttle levers to keep the airspeed in check, and left hand trying to tame the ailerons as the winds buck the aircraft like a bronco, there is a feeling of real exhiliration after each smooth rudder de-crab and landing. Failure of any flight simmer to own a good set of rudders with toe-brakes would be punishable by at least a few months of probation, if I had my way.Tony Selario

You think cross wind is fun? Try it with an engine out!Best regards,Robin.

Oddly enough, Robin, I've never tried an engine out in any conditions. I imagine a fair bit of flailing about will be required to keep her on the glide-slope. Maybe I'll start off my engine-out practice in clear weather before taking on a good storm. RegardsTony Selario

I think that there are some people who want to clear some things out, it seems...We know that it's used to "correct" a heading, give the airplane a twist, ... But the answer on the question how frequently pilots use it, is not that clear...Ciao,Alexander

Depending on what you fly:Cessnas - all the time (co-ordinated turns, cross-wind landings)Turbo props - all the time - co-ordinated turns and cross-wind landingsJets - if equipped with a yaw damper, slightly. If engine out, yes, or if yaw damper U/S then yes to maintain co-ordinated turns, and also for cross-wind landings.Airbus - only for engine failure or loss of Normal Law (you lose auto co-ordination) and cross-wind landing.When landing with engine out, remember that as the thrust comes back to idle to STEP ON THE DEAD ENGINE! This will keep her straight for the rollout.Best regards,Robin.

Depending on what you fly:Cessnas - all the time (co-ordinated turns, cross-wind landings)Turbo props - all the time - co-ordinated turns and cross-wind landingsJets - if equipped with a yaw damper, slightly. If engine out, yes, or if yaw damper U/S then yes to maintain co-ordinated turns, and also for cross-wind landings.Airbus - only for engine failure or loss of Normal Law (you lose auto co-ordination) and cross-wind landing.When landing with engine out, remember that as the thrust comes back to idle to STEP ON THE DEAD ENGINE! This will keep her straight for the rollout.Best regards,Robin.

Thanks for the information!!! This brings some clearness...Thanks!!!Ciao,Alexander

My old man is moving to the 777 with Qatar next month, I've had my head buried in his training docs while out here on holiday. Has anyone heard of 'thrust asymmetry compensation' it's a neat little feature of the 777 No need for rudder input if the engine fails on T/O the Aircraft does it for youRegardsRob