Due to circumstances out of my control (a Non-simmingGirlfriend) I am unable to buy one of the more realisticyokes on the market and have to manage with a low endforce-feed joystick, but like all simmers I am striving forthe most realistic flight experience with the hardwareavailable to me. As a non-pilot I am constantly wondering if the forces I getthrough my meagre joystick in any way reflect those felt in areal aircraft. Without wanting to sound simple I think thiscould be answered by two simple questions:1 Do real aircraft yokes/joysticks have a centering spring?2 How much free play do real yokes/joysticks have?My current affair is with GA aircraft (May I recommend theMaule M7-260) and as a result fly 99% of the time withouthelp from an autopilot but I would hate to think I amachieving straight-and-level flight by

>1 Do real aircraft yokes/joysticks have a centering spring?No, but then the air moving over the control surfaces tends to keep the stick/yoke in place. Edit: Actually, aircraft with "fly by wire", such as an F-16 & some Airbus's do have centering mechanisms to simulate feel. There might even be a spring or two in some side stick control setups. I just don't remember off hand. But in most small GA planes, there are no centering springs.>2 How much free play do real yokes/joysticks have?Depends on the "sloppiness" & wear of the control system. Connections can be chains, cables/pulleys/bearings, bushings, etc.>My current affair is with GA aircraft (May I recommend the>Maule M7-260) and as a result fly 99% of the time without>help from an autopilot but I would hate to think I am>achieving straight-and-level flight by