Flying the FSLabs Airbus with PFC yoke and throttle

[ErichB]

It feels odd flying a Boeing with a joystick and it feels really odd flying an Airbus with a yoke. I've had the PFC yoke and throttle unit for about 2 years now and it really has been one of the best investments I ever made during my 20 years of flightsimming - apart from a 55'TV.  But because it was such an expensive and decisive choice of controls - in my clinical view of  my  flightsim world, it limited me to 'yoke only' aircraft.  I did buy them specifically for the PMDG and A2A hangars only anyway. 

I've been reading various commentaries regarding the FSLabs Airbus and although I have never been an Airbus fan (in the flightsim sense), there is alot i like about the FSLabs version - it seems like it'll be a must have for P3Dv4.

With that out the way, is anyone else flying Airbus with yoke controls?    I remember when I bought the Aerosoft Airbus 2 years ago, it was a real problem to calibrate/sync the throttle unit position with the VC thrust leaver detents - which kind of put me off.   Apart from getting over the idea of hand flying the aircraft with a yoke.

I could just buy a joystick unit, but that feels like a waste of money apart from having to swap over controls every time I fly - which is a pain. Has anyone else used the PFC unit before with the FSLabs version (using P3Dv3) - and if so, were there any issues?

thanks.

 

[WebMaximus]

I'm very interested in hearing what people has to say about this too because I'm in the exact same situation but with a Brunner yoke.

[ErichB]

3 minutes ago, WebMaximus said:

 I'm in the exact same situation but with a Brunner yoke.

Now that's a great piece of kit.

[Julkensen]

It is absolutely possible  to fly the fslabs a320 with a yoke, although you'll have to adjust  your technique. With FBW you don't maintain  an attitude with  a continuous input  on the  yoke,  you set  the aircraft in the attitude you want  and  then release the controls,  the plane  maintain  the attitude on its own.

As for the throttle, fslabs has done a really amazing job and you can set them to your liking. Finding the detents is quite easy if this is done properly.

I've set mine this way: 

0% - 50% manual range

51% - 75% CLB detent

76% - 95% FLEX detent

96% - 100% TOGA detent

Set up like this  you get a  fairly large range for every event  so its very easy to find the right one, and the snap  from one position to another instantly so you don't get any warning from the plane  because the throttles are in the wrong position.

All in all  the fslabs a320 is a fantastic product and you should definitely give it a go.

 

EDIT: check out this thread on fslabs forum for setting up the throttle, its done  for the saitek throttle quadrant but should work with any throttle (appart from the reversers settings): 

https://forums.flightsimlabs.com/index.php?/topic/12655-saitek-throttle-quadrant-setup-for-the-320-without-fsuipc/

 

[ErichB]

1 minute ago, 238932 said:

As for the throttle, fslabs has done a really amazing job and you can set them to your liking. Finding the detents are quite easy of this is done properly.

I've set mine this way: 

0% - 50% manual range

51% - 75% CLB detent

76% - 95% FLEX detent

96% - 100% TOGA detent

That's good news.

 

So an additional question - are there any known issues calibrating your throttle controls using FSUIPC when using the Airbus?

[Julkensen]

I don't use fsuipc,  it works  just fine with the P3D settings,  but   many people use it  and no problem has been reported.

The fslabs manuals gives recommendation on the settings to use to get  a feel close to the real thing for  P3D or fsuipc.

[SAS443]

I switch my PFC saab yoke with my Warthog stick whenever I fly the FSL bus.

The fbw simulation felt odd with the yoke....while the joystick (which accomodates smaller inputs) is a perfect partner with the G-load demand input in the A320.

[mikealpha]

I also have a Brunner Yoke, but found it too weird to operate the 320 with a Yoke. I used a Thrustmaster T16000 initially. Not ideal due to its light resistance, but quite reasonable, you can even change it to left hand handling with a kit. More ideal, because quite stiff, means much more control feel : The ACC A320 Sidestick (available at Simmarket).

Currently I use a Throttletek G737V2 Throttle also for the 320. It has very long travel, so it's easy to set up detend zones. Throttletek also sells a 320 Throttle, but I am not happy with their 737 Throttle. The Potis seem to have low quality. Sometimes you move the throttles by a centimeter, but don't get any response in P3D. Also with both levers in identical position, thrust differs by more than 5% in P3D, on top of that both are not linear. FSUIPC sync function helps, but to get them synchronous over the entire range is almost impossible. Probably the PFC throttle is much better in this regard.

Would love to build a homecockpit around the FSLabs A320, but unfortunately FSLabs leaves users a bit clueless regarding that. No more info/news regarding their professional version since several months :-(.

[westman]

22 minutes ago, SAS443 said:

I switch my PFC saab yoke with my Warthog stick whenever I fly the FSL bus.

The fbw simulation felt odd with the yoke....while the joystick (which accomodates smaller inputs) is a perfect partner with the G-load demand input in the A320.

I use the PFC Saab for PMDG and a modified Warthog for FSL A320

https://www.dropbox.com/s/l4orok0yzfoh649/Foto 2017-10-12 14 59 50.jpg?dl=0

[Nyxx]

Warthog for FSL A320 is just perfect.

[Christopher Low]

I fly the PMDG 737/747/777 with a CH Flightstick Pro joystick. I don't have the spare cash (or indeed the desktop real estate; I have a Logitech G27 steering wheel clamped to it) to buy yokes and throttles. Having said that, the throttle wheel on my joystick is starting to "stick" with increasing regularity, which is rather annoying. I need "one tenth of one per cent" precision with the throttle (particularly on the ground), and the CH Flightstick Pro is usually excellent for that.

[WebMaximus]

Thanks guys for all good input!

Just remembered Brunner released a stick not long ago.

https://www.brunner-innovation.swiss/product/cls-e-joystick-a320-captain-including-grip/