I suppose most of you know that FSUIPC simply is a must have software, especially for its ability to handle controller assignments and calibration. What I have always found sorely missing in FSUIPC though is a smooth way of handling different profiles for different airplanes. I don't know when it was introduced into FSUIPC but I only noticed it the other day that this has been vastly improved. You can now create a profile for eg a single engine prop and each time you fly a single engine prop you select that profile. Or create a new one based on an existing one, make some changes and then save it as a new profile. My main issue before was actually that if you created a new profile specific for an airplane, it only applied to that specific livery! It was possible to copy and paste text strings in the fsuipc.ini file as a workaround but I never got it to work. I haven't checked whether a profile now applies to all liveries, but nevertheless it's a huge improvement.So now I can choose to fly say my Realairsimulation 260 with a stick based profile or in a second change to a yoke based one instead. I love it!So this is how I use it:- flying a single engine prop, the first three levers are for throttle, prop, mixture and the last for flaps- two engine prop, the first two for throttle 1/2, then prop 1/2 and mixture 1/2 while I have the flaps on a goflight LGT module- two engine jet, the first one for speedbrakes/spoiler, next two as throttle 1/2, then two for reverser 1/2 and finally flaps- three engined jet, speedbrakes/spoiler, next three as throttle 1/2/3 and finally flaps. Reversers I now have assigned to the button position on levers 1-3- four engined jet, like above but also the fourth lever that was then unusedadd to that TrackIR5, a number of goflight modules and a Saitek switch panel and I never touch the keyboard.I hope this wasn't Off topic, at least a conclusion is that it doens't have to be either or when it comes to stick or yoke! :D

Edited January 27, 201214 yr by Krister

Well, you guys are right. Stick for Stick, Yoke for Yoke, but my TM X36 is terminal. So, I guess I will need to invest in a good stick. Dang, I thought I was done buying. Honey...........I uh need something else, and heres why. I am sure glad I married this woman because all she will say is "I found this wonderful restaurant".Bob

I've gone from "well, I could always pick up another hobby like veteran cars that will keep me out of the house every night" to "what I learn from buying and using this stuff, really can help me become a better pilot and perhaps save my life". I know, I am nasty... ;)

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro because those yokes are so expensive and not suited for every aircraft. Neither is a stick, of course, but it does the job and I rather use my money for FSX addons (or MS Flight DLC :( ). Spending LOTS of money on something I might only use for a few aircraft is a shame...I do think about getting rudder pedals, though (Saitek Pro Flight Combat) because they can be used with every plane and they would finally enable me to use wind while flying. But somehow I am afraid that using pedals is too much work and I don't know if I will get used to it...

CH Flightstick Pro USB joystick. Almost indestructible, and great for FSX.

What I have always found sorely missing in FSUIPC though is a smooth way of handling different profiles for different airplanes.

For many many years FSUIPC featured "aircraft specific" assignments and calibrations. A few years ago (Feb 2009 in fact), "Profiles" were introduced, which work in a similar way but which are more user-friendly. That's now the default method.

You can now create a profile for eg a single engine prop and each time you fly a single engine prop you select that profile.

You don't need to select a profile each time -- once an aircraft has been assigned to a profile it is automatically applied when thet aircraft is loaded.

My main issue before was actually that if you created a new profile specific for an airplane, it only applied to that specific livery! It was possible to copy and paste text strings in the fsuipc.ini file as a workaround but I never got it to work

All you needed to do then was change the parameter "ShortAircraftNameOk=Substring" (now defaulted in any case), and change the assignment and calibration section titles to a short version of the aircraft name, like "737" etc. This isn't needed with profiles as the profile name is used and the full name is just indexed to it.

I haven't checked whether a profile now applies to all liveries

Since FSUIPC can only select a Profile according to the aircraft name, then the name would need to match. If all your liveries were named the same you wouldn't be able to select them either, just as FSUIPC can't. Isn't that logical? Only you can recognise that the name refers to the same aircraft type, unless you tell FSUIPC the correct abbreviation to use.With profiles, though, you just assign to the profile already created.RegardsPete

I only use my HOTAS setup.I have had my TM Cougar setup for over 10 years now. About 6-7 years ago, I modded it with the U2 NXT gimbal mod, along with hall sensors for the stick. I also added hall sensor to my Throttle , and my Elite Rudder Pedals as well.Originally I flew mostly stick aircraft - EECH, IL2, DCS Black Shark, with a little FS, Now my flying time is somewhat limited due to my job, so it mostly consists of FSX, and pretty much mainly the tube liners. I find my setup still to be very satisfactory for me in flying these.I had thought about getting a yoke system years ago when I first got into FS, but then realized why add the expense and deal with making room for it and setting it up when needed, when my current setup works so well...

For many many years FSUIPC featured "aircraft specific" assignments and calibrations. A few years ago (Feb 2009 in fact), "Profiles" were introduced, which work in a similar way but which are more user-friendly. That's now the default method.

That's a bit strange since I've never seen that profiles popup before when I have "chosen aircraft spefic" and I have always tried to keep FSUIPC updated to the latest version, THOUGH I've haven't installed any of the updates released during the last 6-7 months. I definitely have been looking for and missing it! But anyway I'm happy now!

You don't need to select a profile each time -- once an aircraft has been assigned to a profile it is automatically applied when thet aircraft is loaded.

Yes, I noticed that, But what I really meant was it's such a big help when you have lots of say one engined props and and you can simply point to that profile and voilá it works. Yes, you could have that as a default profile too, but then again I have loads of twin engined jets and their profile has been my default one.

All you needed to do then was change the parameter "ShortAircraftNameOk=Substring" (now defaulted in any case), and change the assignment and calibration section titles to a short version of the aircraft name, like "737" etc. This isn't needed with profiles as the profile name is used and the full name is just indexed to it.

Aha, didn't know that and never asked you either so I can't complain! :DAnyway, thanks for your comments!

I use a yoke (and rudder pedals) for all types of aircraft that I fly, except for Airbuses in which I bring out the old joystick.

Say, you said you are looking for immersion.Did you ever think of PFC?I'm gonna order it pretty soon, just waiting for the offers from european vendors. Gonna set me back quite a lot, bur I read that the immersion factor is second to none. Especially compared to any platic yokes, pfc is kinda like warthog.

That's a bit strange since I've never seen that profiles popup before when I have "chosen aircraft spefic"

As documented, you needed to change the "UseProfiles" prarameter in the INI file. There's was no way I could make the change automatic -- the two methods are fundamentally different. When you change that with settings using lots of different specific assignments you'd get a different profile for each aircraft, with each profile named by the aircraft title (or its abbreviation). It would sometimes be easier/better to simply delete the complete INI and start again.In current versions, starting with a fresh INI (i.e. if you delete yours), profiles are enabled by default, as is "ShortAircraftName=substring". If I'd thought of the Profile system originally I wouldn't have made the aircraft-specific method and things would have been cleaner for original users. but later is better than never. ;-)RegardsPete

I've been using the MS FFPro 2 for years as well. Just within the last month or two I picked up the Saitek Yoke/ throttle set and recently obtained the Saitek rudders. So now I try to fly the stick for stick aircraft and the yoke for yoke aircraft. It really makes a HUGE difference for me, in terms of immersion.

+1 FF2 for Airbus/Light Aircraft with a stick, Saitek Pro Yoke for others. CH Rudder pedals for all. I can't imagine simming without them.

I have several yokes and joysticks and try to use what feels closest to the aircraft I fly at any given time. I usually only fly one aircraft for a long period of time though, so there is little switching involved.

I've gone from "well, I could always pick up another hobby like veteran cars that will keep me out of the house every night" to "what I learn from buying and using this stuff, really can help me become a better pilot and perhaps save my life". I know, I am nasty... ;)

I really have to show some self control sometimes as I find things I just have to have. If I walk away for awhile then the saneness returns and my wallet a little thicker. The impulse must be fought!!Bob

I have used a yoke most of the time and find that it gives a good sense of reality.