i reduced the payload weight in the cessna 182 so that just the pilot at 170lbs is the only payload. no other passengers or baggage. happens in most aircraft when i tried this. after takeoff the plane rolls to the right. fuel weight is equal in both tanks. with the pilots weight on the left side shouldn't it roll to the left since that would seem to be the heavier side? tried rudder trim but i have to keep adding either left or right rudder and that's no fun and sure isn't hands off flying. the other thing is to add another passenger up front to balance it out and that works but doesn't seem to be the way to go. i also tried using more fuel on one side than the other to offset the pilots weight but that doesn't seem to work either. i might not have refined the weight correctly though. any way to get flying straight and level with no roll and only the pilot in the aircraft? william

Did you adjust the payload within FS2004, i.e., Aircraft, Fuel and Payload, Change Payload or manually change it in the affected aircraft's aircraft.cfg file?I would start by ensuring you don't have any bias offsets in your joystick/rudder pedals (especially twist grip rudder pedals on joystick). If you have a registered copy of FSUIPC, you can eliminate any of these offsets. Otherwise, calibrate your joystick as best you can so any offsets are minimal.Start FS2004, select one of the aircraft you intend to test, i.e. C172, C182. Ensure you haven't modified the aircraft.cfg file in any way to change the payload. Select a standard day weather from the weather menu, i.e., (Clear Skies - Clears all weather). Select your airport.Select Slew (Y), select Slew Up (F4) so the aircraft is 3000-5000 ft above the surface, select F2 to stop climb, select the autopilot - set the altitude to the slewed altitude, enable the A/P and the ALT buttons. Deselect Slew (Y), adjust the throttle and other controls to maintain enough power for level flight. Allow the A/P to stabilize the flight on a convenient heading. With the A/P in this mode, it will control roll and altitude.Select Aircraft, Fuel and Payload, Change Payload, and place the copilot weight to 0, OK, OK. Notice the aircraft will turn and correct because of the A/P. Let it stabilize. Deselect the A/P (Z key) or use the mouse. The aircraft should start a turn to the left.Enable the A/P, the aircraft should stop turning and stabilize on a new heading. Select Aircraft, Fuel and Payload, Change Payload and return the copilot's weight to 170lbs and zero the pilot's weight. Conduct the test above. The aircraft should turn right.Try larger weights but don't allow the weight to be over the max gross weight of the aircraft. Remember also that the fuel burned is also decreasing.If you are getting opposite turnings, I suspect you joystick calibration may be the problem.W. Sieffert

Hi William, you could cheat - add a pilot and right seat passenger with 85 pounds of weight each.

This is usually a sign that the auto-pilot is engaged. Check the panel to see if the AP light is on and if it is press 'z' to disengage.

thanks for all the input guys. i tried it again this morning before work and with just the pilot and no one else and no baggage it turned to the left as it should i guess. i added a co pilot and it flew level. so if i want to fly level then i'll need some other weight to offset the pilots weight right? if i fly alone with no cargo then i can except a roll to the left? i didn't think that just the pilots weight alone would cause it to roll like that but it's understandable. william

Hi, it

hi uwe, i have the settings for realism set to realistic so torque and the p-factor are there. so does this mean i will need to apply rudder trim or roll the wing to the right to counter the torque and p-factor? if that's how it's done then no problem here. just tried it in the bravo with only the pilot and it yawed or rolled to the left. i countered with opposite force to get level. it's an on going thing right? it yaws, you counter, it yaws, you counter and so on and so on. like i said if that's how it's done then that's what i'll do. i just want to be sure that's what i need to keep doing. or just put a co pilot up front. how do you do it uwe? william

i'm kind of hoping it's a weight issue and not a torque, p-factor thing since it seems to disappear if the aircraft is balanced. then again it could be a torque problem but is countered with proper weight and balance. maybe. william