Well,After all these years of heavy iron the Realair C172 mod for the default C172 has finally caused me to cross over to the joys of the Daaark Siiieeede :)Question - why do some GA planes have a permanent aileron deflection with controls centered (result is a left bank)? - the wonderful Maule is like this, and an Archer I just removed, but not the TimAir C206, the Realair C172 or even the default GAs. Is this realistic?I don't think i have a control problem as it's not all planes - aileron trim for the sim is centered as far as I can tell from the default 737. Any help appreciated.regards,MarkXPHomeSP2/FS9.1/3.2HT/1GIG/X700pro256

I believe what you're referring to is P-factor. See if you have that enabled in the REALISM section. P-factor affects all prop aircraft.

Hi Mark,Assuming that your controls are calibrated and centered, your realism sliders are all the way to the right, and you're not using autorudder...It's not aileron deflection. It's Torque and P-Factor. Both effects are most pronounced at high angle of attack and high power settings (e.g., climbing with full power). Torque creates a swirling airstream going in the same direction as the propeller rotation. When the airstream hits the vertical stabilizer, it pushes it to the right (assuming clockwise propeller rotation), causing the nose to yaw to the left. P-Factor occurs because the propeller blade coming down on the right side cuts through the air at a higher angle of attack than the propeller blade going up on the left side, again causing the airplane to yaw to the left. So you need to hold right rudder to center the ball and maintain heading. Once stabilized in cruise, the effects are minimal, but they're still there.You may not have noticed it in the RealAir 172 and others, but it's there. Next time you takeoff, see if you don't have to hold some right rudder to stay on the centerline and to maintain heading in the climb.Best,Ken

Thank you both for the replies, and yes my settings are just as you describe Ken. While I'm sure you are correct about the effect I should have been clearer - I actually see the ailerons slightly deflected while parked on the ground with engine off - using the stick or keyboard I can cancel the deflection with right aileron input, but it comes back when I center the controls :-zhelp regards,MarkXPHomeSP2/FS9.1/3.2HT/1GIG/X700pro256

Hi Mark,Ah... I haven't seen that, but I'll have to take a closer look next time I start up FS :)Good Luck,Ken

The Maule is just fine -- considering only the pilot is in the plane. A couple hundred pounds left of the centerline will pull ya to the left. If ya go into the aircraft.cfg file and add a passenger the plane straightens out quite nicely.Not sure if this applies to the others but since the Realair Cessna 172 FDE is modeled very accurately, I'm guessing that might be the case as well.-------------------Racartronit means something, but I just can't remember what

Ken,Your reply contains a 2 for 1.>Torque creates a swirling airstream going in the same direction as the propeller rotationTorque is actually the force that counteracts the rotation of the prop. A prop, at least in the US, turns counterclockwise when viewed from within the cockpit. This counterclockwise turning makes the aicraft want to rotate the opposite direction, or clockwise/left. On the ground, the left wing will drop the slightest bit, which will put more pressure on the left main wheel, which in turn cause more friction and a turn to the left. In the air, it simply rolls the aircraft. An easy way to visualize it is to imagine holding on to the propeller with your hands and seeing that the aircraft would then rotate to the left.Your description of torque is actually that of the spiraling slip-stream effect.

Hi Travis,Thanks! You're absolutely right... except that the propellor turns clockwise when viewed from the cockpit (counterclockwise when viewed from the front). Check out the photos on Cessna's site, and you can see it from the blade pitch:http://skyhawk.cessna.com/gallery.chtml#There are exceptions, of course. Everyone who owns RealAir's fantastic Spitfire knows that the late model Spits turned in a counterclockwise direction. And P-38's had counter-rotating props, so the torque and P-factor effects cancelled out.Thanks again,Ken

You are correct sir.So Wednesday is not opposite day where you live?

Hah! Yes... I mean No... I mean... :)Best,Ken

ah so - ok thanks much - I'll check that - I don't see why that should affect the visible control surfaces on the ground but - who knows.thanks again.regards,MarkXPHomeSP2/FS9.1/3.2HT/1GIG/X700pro256