Folks,I would really appreciate some assistance here. I'd really love to learn how to fly using FS2004 but at a loss as to how to go about doing so. I see the tutorials offered in the program, but I find that control is almost impossible using my USB CH Yoke or Combat Stick. I've calibrated them, but still no luck. Are there any on-line resources to help learn the following:(1) Proper setup of the CH USB Yoke(2) Learning to Fly the Cessna up to the 747?(3) Instrument FlightAny help is appreciated. I'm so eager to learn, but can't seem to get on the right track at this point.I'm very grateful for any advice!

I am not sure why you are having control issues. Try making all of your inputs small and not radical. It does not take much to turn the planes in the sim. As far as learning to fly I may have just the site for you. I tried using the sim but I felt it to be lacking. Try this site:http://www.navfltsm.addr.com/index.htmIt worked for me.

You don't say in what way you find control almost impossible which makes offering advice a tad difficult.If your controls are not doing what you expect maybe it is just a matter of adjusting the null zones and sensitivities from within FS.

The FS Flight School is actually a good way for a first broad overview on learning to fly (apart from a couple of broken mission scripts in the instrument flight section). If you're new to flying I'd highly recommend it before delving deeper into the matter.Besides it's fun. ;) Regards,http://www.bremmekamp.com/img/misc/avsim.jpg

I have always found it easier to flying using the keyboard.I do own a CH yoke and Logitech FF stick. I have found that if you don't have a decently-sized null zone set up, then you will have a hard time flying with them.Keyboard, I am a master pilot :). Joystick, heh, it's an adventure.Rhett

>You don't say in what way you find control almost impossible>which makes offering advice a tad difficult.>>If your controls are not doing what you expect maybe it is>just a matter of adjusting the null zones and sensitivities>from within FS.>Thanks,In general the CH USB Yoke is way to sensitive. I wind up all over the place when trying to fly. This is mostly with pitch, but ailerons are twitchy as well.

Reduce the sensitivity from within FS until it feels OK. As you progress you may be able to increase sensitivity.Practice :-)

For control learn to also use the TRIM. (Its one of the most often neglected option by a newbie). Once you trim the plane, it'll fly by itself and you can take your hand of your Yoke. And thats a lesson even for real world flying.For Navigation and Instrument flying, here is a wonderful site. Which was what got me into flying for real. Yup..I was reading this ....and felt that since I understood how they navigate and land using ILS. I should fly for real and thats what I did.http://www.navfltsm.addr.com/basic-nav-general.htmIts got tonnes and tonnes of information and its so well explained. IMO.Mannyand here is another nice one:http://stoenworks.com/How%20to%20Fly%20Flight%20Sims.html

What planes are you using? RealAir Simulations freeware upgrade for the default 172SP found here http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?FileName=ras172_fs9.zip is a great choice for flight training. It's got excellent flight dynamics (including the ability to side slip) and may be a little easier for you to control.And while you are at it repaint it with the Daniel Webster Aviation College paintscheme from my home airport (KASH) found here http://library.avsim.net/search.php?Search....zip&CatID=root by W.A. Lipscomb.The default aircraft can be a little twitchy compared to some of the other offerings out there.I've never bothered with setting the null zone on my CHProducts Yoke and Rudder pedals. It may take a little getting used to making just very small motions and waiting for the plane to react. I will tell you the feel is definately different from flying a real plane. When I was in flight training, I found it a little hard switching between the two.Thomas[a href=http://www.flyingscool.com/FC_StartJava.html] http://www.flyingscool.com/images/Signature.jpg [/a]I like using VC's :-)

>In general the CH USB Yoke is way to sensitive. I wind up all>over the place when trying to fly. This is mostly with pitch,>but ailerons are twitchy as well.Really... http://smilies.vidahost.com/contrib/ruinkai/icon7xx.gifMy first two controllers were joysticks, MS and then a Logitech. They were both so sensitive with everything, even add ons. I'm talking irritating, especially without pedals to rudder.The CH Yoke has always been very moderate compared to joysticks, and that's on more than one computer. Fact is, the sim is senstive, so you aren't going to be able to remove that element and fly good IMO. I've reduced the sensitivity, created nulls, and even used FSUIPC to tweak it some more, but I've found reducing the overall response to input make important and critical adjustments very difficult this way.An important thing to remember is that a lot of add on planes are not so touchy like the default Cessna 172. The Cessna Caravan is a little better if you're stuck with default. The default Boeings are extremely heavy feeling and not realistic at all by the way.If you can look into the simple GAs like RealAir's taildragger series; The amphibious Scout is a perfect balance of flight dynamics and easy instruments. Only draw back is some people don't like how slow the taildragger/Scout's are. I think for practicing and learning, as well as simple low altitude sight seeing type of flying, it's great. http://www.realairsimulations.com/products..._2006/index.phpAnother would be some of the Flight One GAs. They have a couple very basic single-engine props, and even a Cessna 172. I don't own it, so I can't say how touchy it is. I do have the 177 and it's very sensitive. Ask around if you're interested in any of them. http://www.flight1.com/products.asp?product=esd172Perhaps a little more complex to some, but perfect flight dynamics and excellent real world GPS from Garmin. I find it very easy to use, but it's not something I'd recommend learning in per se. Just a great step up from the non-turoprops. http://www.flight1.com/products.asp?product=esdmer

Thanks guys... Keep the advice coming! :)

You must realise your not driving your bus but operating a lively aircraft?Dave T. .........On the Devon Riviera and active 'FlightSim User's Group' member at http://www.flightsimgrpuk.free-online.co.uk/http://www.captainsim.com/user/dl/c130/c130_captain.gifhttp://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/supporter.jpg