5 hours ago, jlund said:

Now i have bought the Thrustmaster TCA pack

The twist axis on this stick can go bad and get very noisy due to a cabling issue internal to the joystick. I went through 2 sticks before I gave up and bought some pedals and disabled the stick twist axis.

Edited November 28, 20241 yr by mobeans10

Anyone who has a twist joystick having issues mapping the rudders, ailerons and elevators?  I had no problem doing this in 2020 but in 2024 with my TCA joystickthey all conflict as they are mapped the same in the settings.

If they are working for you, please let me know how you have it set up. 

For a long time I used the thrustmaster 6000 hotas.

There is a butterfly lever in the front that is perfect  for rudders

Also not a bad Throttle with lots of buttons

 

Yes

I've been flying sims since ye olden days, and I've had 4 sets of rudder devices over the years, each one lasting 5 years or more. First (not really pedals of course) was a twist joystick. Then CH Pro pedals, then the MFG Crosswind, and finally the Thrustmaster Pendular. Each one was much better than the last.

The latter, the Pendular, is well worth the cash in my opinion (significantly less than a 4090!). With each of the other devices, I would have this nagging feeling that the hardware could improve or that I should upgrade. With the Pendular, those thoughts never enter my mind. In fact, I don't ever actually think about the pedals--in a good way. They are just a part of the sim experience that always work as they should, and never cause any problems. And they function more realistically than rudders that slide on a platform.

I like to fly the 747 in the sim, so I don't even touch the rudder pedals in flight (feet on the floor!), but I like using the toe brakes while taxying, and I like "steering with your feet" on the takeoff and landing roll. I also like practicing engine-out maneuvers. Some kind of rudder device is necessary for all of this.

Everyone has different preferences and needs, so I'm not claiming any kind of universality here. Many people will have tons of fun with no rudder controls at all, or with a twist stick. But this is what works for me.

Edited November 28, 20241 yr by prolixindec

I have rudders because I fly a LOT of GA aircraft and helicopters.

They're particularly helpful with helos.

Airliners and other swept wings don't seem to need them as much, especially anything with fly by wire (if it's properly simulated).

1 hour ago, UrgentSiesta said:

I have rudders because I fly a LOT of GA aircraft and helicopters.

They're particularly helpful with helos.

I would echo this - it depends a lot on what you're flying.

Instead, you can turn on the appropriate assists, which is perfectly fine of course, but if you have the itch to keep those turns coordinated or counteract the main rotor's torque yourself, there are rudder pedals in your future. 😉

1 hour ago, UrgentSiesta said:

Airliners and other swept wings don't seem to need them as much, especially anything with fly by wire (if it's properly simulated).

I'm not sure fly-by-wire makes a difference here? On the Airbus, for example, the rudder is entirely conventional, if I'm not mistaken. (It's even in the name: ELAC: "elevator and aileron computer".)

I was always under the impression that jet airlines don't need manual rudder inputs to keep turns coordinated because of a combination of a) roll spoilers and b) the yaw damper, but I'm hazy on this. 

Edited November 28, 20241 yr by martinboehme

12 hours ago, jlund said:

I have used flightsims for more than 30 years (Yes, I'm that old) and I have never had a set of rudder pedals, only a joystick with a stick that can be used as rudders

Now i have bought the Thrustmaster TCA pack, and even though it still can be used as rudders, I'm also considering if I finally should buy a set of rudder pedals to go with it Do you guys all have seperat rudder pedals or do you still use a "twisting"  joystick? And when is it mot critical in flight to use pedals?

 

 

These are what I've been using for the last 2+ years.

https://www.thrustmaster.com/products/tpr-thrustmaster-pendular-rudder/

I'm very happy with them. Great for Airliners, and GA alike. They spoiled me rotten. Would I go back to twisting a stick? No. However the Thrustmaster Pendular rudder system is a bit pricey.

I think they are about $100.00 CDN more today, than what I paid a couple of years ago. They are listed at $599.00 US on the official website right now. 

Before that, I had the Logitech G rudder pedals. I tried them maybe twice a few years back and then back in the box. They just did not do it for me. I should probably sell them on the marketplace or something- a beginner may get some use out of them. 

 

12 hours ago, Bobsk8 said:

At least I am not a pretend pilot that uses a twist grip to try and fly an aircraft. 

An insult directed at lack of realism in a flight control method. 

12 hours ago, Sethos said:

Must be difficult when you're in the sunsetting hours of your life, stuck in front of the computer playing pretend pilot and then someone else not using the same input method as you. I can see why it sparks such ire in you, Bob. I hope you feel better soon. 

An insult directed at someone's age, then credibility, for the 2nd time in same thread. 

I enjoy some logical heated arguments between simmers but I really do not like insults leveled at age, disability etc. 

Call me inexperienced, or stuck in my ways but don't call me a baby or a fossil. Please? 

Calm weather, CH Flightstick Pro joystick, and AutoRudder in the PMDG 737-600. You know it makes sense

12 hours ago, Funky D said:

Didn't mean to knock the CH Pro pedals right after your post, I was writing my post at the same time 🙂 They were also by far the most popular and inexpensive option back in their day. And you make a good point: you will probably get used to the quirks of any pedal that you purchase after using them for a while.

After looking through some YouTube reviews over the past hour, you can also get a bit of a leg workout with how solid the mid to high end pedals are!

The VKB are solid metal and heavy but I set a low spring tension so I don't get much of a workout.

My old CH Pedals (and yoke, joystick, throttle) live still, they went to good home where a young lad is getting into flight simming.

I used the joystick twist grip for many years, and was perfectly happy with it. I now have VKB rudder pedals and find helicopter flying much easier, particularly in DCS, but in FS20 too.  So, are rudder pedals neccessary ? No, I don't think so, but I like mine.

6 hours ago, UrgentSiesta said:

I have rudders because I fly a LOT of GA aircraft and helicopters.

They're particularly helpful with helos.

Airliners and other swept wings don't seem to need them as much, especially anything with fly by wire (if it's properly simulated).

You still need pedals for crosswind

landings

I just started flying helos a couple of months ago.

I cant even imagine flying one without rudder pedals

If Helos are your thing, then without a doubt they are valuable and a great purchase.

2 hours ago, sloppysmusic said:

 

An insult directed at someone's age, then credibility, for the 2nd time in same thread. 

I enjoy some logical heated arguments between simmers but I really do not like insults leveled at age, disability etc. 

Call me inexperienced, or stuck in my ways but don't call me a baby or a fossil. Please? 

 I just ignore anything he says. It's usually pretty worthless.

Edited November 28, 20241 yr by Bobsk8