Working on Lesson 3 in FS2004 - using the CH yoke (USB) I pulled it all the way back to idle when told to do so and the engine sounded like it went to idle. In fact, I'm sure he did. Later he said to reduce speed and reduce to idle. It was in idle position and yes the assignments are correct as is the calibration (Z axis). He continued telling me to reduce to idle so I had to use the mouse on throttle control. Shortly afterward he told me I was distracted and ended the lesson.What happened that I have to use two throttle controls, the lever on the yoke and the mouse on the control in the cockpit? Is there someway I could have inadvertently "killed" the throttle on the yoke?Thank you.Louis

Due to the presence of "control spikes", the throttle at times, even when calibrated (in the Windows calibration) in the idle position, will not really go to idle--or at least the sim will not sense it is in idle. To overcome this, when calibrating bring the throttle back toward the idle position, but DO NOT bring it all the way to the stop. Leave a little bit of slack, say about 1/16th of an inch. Then click on the button or whatever to finish the calibration. In the future, when going to idle during flight, pull the throttle all the way to the stop. Should now work properly. Of course, you can alwatys hit F1 (check teh assignemnts listing in FS9 menu under Options). This is also necessary when attempting to use reverse thrust. Throttle MUST be in idle for Reverse Thrust to work, this will allow it to do so. Just as a suggestion, check out FSUIPC utility (ver 3.x), find it at schratti.com (may also be available here at the Avsim library--not sure). For FS9, this is payware, about $24 euros, if you want to use all its features. Well worth the price, I would not sim fly without it. One of the capabilities is being able to calibrate ALL controls, with much better fine adjustments than standard Windows calibration gives you. Has an extensive readme, which is mandatory reading if you want to use it. HTH,Paul

PaulJust to be sure we are on the same page, this calibration technique will work with CH Yoke? When you say to click on the button I guess you mean during the settings wizard.I do have FSUIPC and while I am now working my way through the User's Manual someone told me to leave it be for awhile being the novice I am because it will be too advanced for me to be concerned about now.Louis

Hi Louis,Whilst many of the FSUIPC settings may best be left for now, if you can calibrate the yoke using the standard Wizard you're quite capable of doing it from within FSUIPC ! The above "trick" works just as well and you get much better control. Just remember that if you leave a little play at the end of the throttle's travel you're reducing the physical distance that the throttle moves over which will make it proportionately more sensitive.Try it and see. If you find that the throttle is now too sensitive you can always go back and re-calibrate.Cheers,Alastair

You beat me to it by a few minutes. :-)Louis, he is absolutely right. You can use the same "trick" of a little slack in the throttle when calibrating with FSUIPC. I am using the same yoke you are, also use FSUIPC and have calibrated the throttle (as well as all other controls) in it--never have any problems. Read The Fine Manual ( :-) ) and you should be just fine. Remember though, eat the apple one bite at a time. :-)Post back if you have any more questions--lots of folks here to help. Paul

This whole experience and it is a good one is a good lesson in humility. I can't recall ever feeling so inept and helpless.Anyway, I guess I don't know how to calibrate. Using settings I did the method you suggested and it still goes back to zero but the other two levers, prop and mixture show some red all the way back toward me. Another thing that happens when I think I am calibrating is that the yoke goes off center so I have to reset defaults.What is exact method to calibrate then. I assume that wizard is involved in the process I just may not be understanding it or using it correctly.The only thing I have to calibrate with that I know about is the Game Controller in the Control Panel. There I go to settings and calibrate and fumble through the wizard not knowing what I'm doing.I don't know how to use FSUIPC yet.Wanishi!*Louis *Thank you in Lenape.

I just solved a similar problem by increasing my "dead zone", the amount of movement you're allowed before FS considers it to be intentional.It's under the controls > sensitivity section of the menu.CheersAndrew

Is that in FS itself under Settings or the settings tab under Game Controllers??Someone else suggested that and I haven't been able to figure it out.Thank you.Louis

When I still used CH (for my home setup, I still use them on the road as I travel every week, "keep em in the trunk") I had a simular issue as well as a few others. After typing my brians out in the forums and not getting anywhere (please note this means it my fualt) I called CH tech support. I wished I would have done this step first as they fixxed the problem and more. The tech person had me go into some different areas, re-setting different parameters and the yoke, peddle, and pro-throttle work great. I even hook up the pro-thottle (usb)up at home to my PFC ( http://www.flypfc.com/pcatds/cat%20ii/cat%20ii.html )setup. I use the pro thottle for extra assinments as in multi-player.If you can get thru the week-end with out getting to frustrated, give them a call Monday or when-ever. I am sure all the mentioned advice tips work great but I am not that big of a copmuter wiz and have learned from past mistakes that I can make things alot worse real fast. By working with the CH tech support if a unforseen error comes up, at least the tech person knows exactly what we did and I am not siting ou there alone trying to re-create every step.Please take this in the context that it is meant. The forums here are great and I always learn alot. However, with a particular hardware issue like this the tech support can have you up and running quick. Hey, it came as part of the product when you purchased it.Take Care.

That is good advice. I will do that if I don't get this ironed out this weekend. I have called them several times already on other things with basic questions and frankly am beginning to feel like a nuisance.In this Forum too albeit that EVERYONE has been above and beyond.Louis

Hi Louis,You aked:>Is that in FS itself under Settings or the settings tab under Game Controllers??Yes it is in FS and it is still under the Options menu but this time click on "Controls" and then select "Sensitivities. . ." Now you should see the Controls - Sensitivities screen and the yoke should be selected. Notice the first three Axes are displayed and the last one is throttle. If you scroll down, the prop and mixture axes are displayed. The elevator and ailerons should have there "Sensitivity" sliders about halfway up and the "Null zone" slider set to about 25%. Throttle, prop, and mixture sensitivity sliders should be set to 100%. I set those null zones to 0 (zero). You can experiment if you wish.While you are on this screen, you can look at your pedal settings too. Sometimes adding some endplay to the toe brakes is helpful (move the null zone sliders to the right a bit). I hope that this is helpful.R-

RonThe settings are as you suggest except that there is no option for a mixture setting. There is prop and throttle though.Louis