I have Saitek‘s flight controls (X52 Pro and rudder pedals) and I fly Carenado’s SR22T in FSX.

 

 

When the plane is level and I move the stick sideways, the plane banks….when I release the stick to center, the plane stays banked.

 

 

When the plane is level and I move the stick forward, the plane angles down and starts to descend ….when I release the stick to center, the plane stays angled down…(putting aside the effect of trimming).

 

 

My problem is the rudder when maintaining the localizer on an approach...

When I am heading 080, I use right rudder to a heading of 090….when I release the rudder, the plane almost snaps back towards my original starting point giving me a heading of 085 when I was originally shooting for 090. Why does the plane not stay at 090 when I release the rudder?

 

 

I am not sure if I should use the rudder, ailerons or both to maintain the localizer / runway heading on an approach to a landing. In using the aileron, I am not always level when making contact with the runway.

 

 

What am I doing wrong?

You shouldn't turn the plane using the rudder. You should correct your Heading using a combination of aileron to bank the wings, and rudder to keep the ball centered and consequently your aircraft flying coordinated. It will not make your aircraft turn. You end up turning if you press the rudder long enough, but it's just a sloppy uncoordinated turn.

 

If you want to learn more about this, I recommend the excellent FAA Airplane FLying Handbook. I learned many things from there.

 

http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aircraft/airplane_handbook/

 

It goes through all basic maneuvers, in a very easy to understand language!

 

Hope this helps

That's normal behavior. 

Thanks to both of you!