Hi everyone,

Every few years I buy a X-Plane edition (in this case 12) to see how it evolves but history repeats itself: I always end up returning to FSX/P3D/MSFS for a number of reasons.

One of them is the excessive yaw in my opinion compared to FS, that is the tendency for single engine prop aircraft to turn left while taxiing or flying, even on top aircrafts such as the Airfoillabs C172 Analog. What do you think? Please note that I am aware of joystick calibration, sensitivity settings, p-factor/torque/slipstream etc.

In the FSX days there were options to tweak the general level of realism for the flight models, the torque, etc. Sadly it is not anymore proposed in MSFS2024. And it never has been available for X-Plane if I am not mistaken.

 

23 minutes ago, Simicro said:

Hi everyone,

Every few years I buy a X-Plane edition (in this case 12) to see how it evolves but history repeats itself: I always end up returning to FSX/P3D/MSFS for a number of reasons.

One of them is the excessive yaw in my opinion compared to FS, that is the tendency for single engine prop aircraft to turn left while taxiing or flying, even on top aircrafts such as the Airfoillabs C172 Analog. What do you think? Please note that I am aware of joystick calibration, sensitivity settings, p-factor/torque/slipstream etc.

In the FSX days there were options to tweak the general level of realism for the flight models, the torque, etc. Sadly it is not anymore proposed in MSFS2024. And it never has been available for X-Plane if I am not mistaken.

 

Maybe ask at the X Plane forum?

56 minutes ago, Bobsk8 said:

Maybe ask at the X Plane forum?

Yes of course, but there are also MSFS aviators using or having tried X-Plane I believe.

It's just different, both sims do it slightly differently. Which is more realistic is the source of incessant and useless debate, so not getting into that. They are just different and both are easy to get used to. Comes down to what you prefer in the end. 

All taken into consideration, they're similar.

FS 2024 can benefit from customized controller axis profiles which can easily be done in a per aircraft or aircraft class basis.

These days I use prop aircraft on both sims which do the torque effects wrongly and other that feel very realístic...

This being said I'm still looking forward for the sim that makes me dance on the rudder as close to reality as possible when it comes to being towed as a glider. Of the 3 I presently use for gliding, Condor3, xp12 and FS 2024, my preferred is FS 2024 in this specific detail.

Edited June 30, 2025Jun 30 by jcomm

2 hours ago, Simicro said:

Hi everyone,

Every few years I buy a X-Plane edition (in this case 12) to see how it evolves but history repeats itself: I always end up returning to FSX/P3D/MSFS for a number of reasons.

One of them is the excessive yaw in my opinion compared to FS, that is the tendency for single engine prop aircraft to turn left while taxiing or flying, even on top aircrafts such as the Airfoillabs C172 Analog. What do you think? Please note that I am aware of joystick calibration, sensitivity settings, p-factor/torque/slipstream etc.

In the FSX days there were options to tweak the general level of realism for the flight models, the torque, etc. Sadly it is not anymore proposed in MSFS2024. And it never has been available for X-Plane if I am not mistaken.

 

Not really. In X Plane, FSX, MSFS 2020, and MSFS 2024, there is a so-called SDK Documentation, and you can modify any variables for any airplane. My experience with X Plane was that yaw reaction is much better. Unfortunately, the problem with the MSFS 2024 stock airplanes is that those files are not available for editing. Some payware airplanes have those open for editing.

 

Basic Aerodynamics

 

Basic Aerodynamics

 

 

SDK Overview

 

SDK Overview

 

 

 

2 hours ago, LRBS said:

Not really. In X Plane, FSX, MSFS 2020, and MSFS 2024, there is a so-called SDK Documentation, and you can modify any variables for any airplane. My experience with X Plane was that yaw reaction is much better. Unfortunately, the problem with the MSFS 2024 stock airplanes is that those files are not available for editing. Some payware airplanes have those open for editing.

 

Basic Aerodynamics

 

Basic Aerodynamics

 

 

SDK Overview

 

SDK Overview

 

 

 

You can edit any file of the default plane in MSFS 2024 and have the MSFS 2024 engine read the changed values. But I think you need to duplicate the folder structure in your Community folder, which requires using the VFS system in Developer mode to figure out the folder structure.

I’ll see if I can find more information on it later, as I am on mobile now and I won’t have access to a PC until later.

Edited June 30, 2025Jun 30 by abrams_tank

Thank you all! I gave a like to all of you for your time and brain. I just wanted to have some opinions and insights specifically on the yaw, the goal was not launch the old debate MSFS vs X-Plane. Regarding the SDK, sure but it’s more a developer thing.

20 minutes ago, abrams_tank said:

You can edit any file of the default plane in MSFS 2024 and have the MSFS 2024 engine read the changed values. But I think you need to duplicate the folder structure in your Community folder, which requires using the VFS system in Developer mode to figure out the folder structure.

I’ll see if I can find more information on it later, as I am on mobile now and I won’t have access to a PC until tomorrow.

It’s very kind of you but please don’t bother doing that only for me, I don’t enjoy tweaking files and alike.

2 hours ago, LRBS said:

Not really. In X Plane, FSX, MSFS 2020, and MSFS 2024, there is a so-called SDK Documentation, and you can modify any variables for any airplane. My experience with X Plane was that yaw reaction is much better. Unfortunately, the problem with the MSFS 2024 stock airplanes is that those files are not available for editing. Some payware airplanes have those open for editing.

 

 

Hi @lrbs and @simicro.  Here is the thread on how to override the CFG files and override other files in MSFS 2024: 

Please note that this works on the default Standard Version planes as those are not encrypted.  For the default Deluxe and Premium Deluxe planes, those are encrypted - it might possible work for encrypted planes as well, but this is something you'll have to try.  Please note that I myself have not bothered to override the values of any of the default planes, but I simply started a thread to discuss how it can be done, and other people in the thread above, discussed the finer details of how it is done.  In any case, you have to mimick the folder structure of the default plane in your Community folder.

For how the VFS file system works, you can refer to this thread here: 

 

 

5 hours ago, Simicro said:

Hi everyone,

Every few years I buy a X-Plane edition (in this case 12) to see how it evolves but history repeats itself: I always end up returning to FSX/P3D/MSFS for a number of reasons.

One of them is the excessive yaw in my opinion compared to FS, that is the tendency for single engine prop aircraft to turn left while taxiing or flying, even on top aircrafts such as the Airfoillabs C172 Analog. What do you think? Please note that I am aware of joystick calibration, sensitivity settings, p-factor/torque/slipstream etc.

In the FSX days there were options to tweak the general level of realism for the flight models, the torque, etc. Sadly it is not anymore proposed in MSFS2024. And it never has been available for X-Plane if I am not mistaken.

 

Then you should fly jets...? 😁

Torque/yaw was one of the notable/surprising killers of WW2 single engine Aviators (even some experienced ones who should've known better).

I've never found it excessive in any of the XP GA add-ons.

And this isn't an XP "problem". For e.g., it's well modelled in the A2A Simulations props in Prepar3D. And you FOR SURE better have it under control for their warbirds.

MilViz modeled it in their P3D props, as well.

DCS World warbirds, which are widely considered to have very good flight models, have it in full effect. It might be excessive there, but then again, the guy who owns DCSW also owns and flies warbirds IRL, so perhaps not.

Finally, in MSFS, the condition is certainly "excessive" for the hi fi warbirds from multiple devs and is present for other lower powered GA props, as well.

E.g., the recent JF Piper Turbo Arrow has it modeled to a significant degree, too.

So, in sum, the effect you're complaining about does indeed exist IRL, and varies significantly depending on the aircraft.

And it has been widely modeled in other simulators & add-ons over the years to more or less the same degree as in XP.

And as MSFS has been steadily increasing the fidelity of their general aero model, we are seeing it more frequently and more "excessively" in MSFS add-ons.

Do you have rudder pedals? Honestly makes a world of difference.

P.s.: definitely stay away from helicopters 😉

26 minutes ago, Simicro said:

It’s very kind of you but please don’t bother doing that only for me, I don’t enjoy tweaking files and alike.

Yes, fiddling with the VFS system and overriding CFG and other files, requires some work and there is definitely tweaking involved.  If you want to keep it simple, it's probably not something you want to spend time on.

8 minutes ago, UrgentSiesta said:

And it never has been available for X-Plane if I am not mistaken.

P.s.: most of the XP add-ons can be edited using the free/included PlaneMaker utility from the XP devs themselves.

Oh, @abrams_tank, I have to give it a try. Some need lots of love. Thank you. 

2 hours ago, UrgentSiesta said:

Then you should fly jets...? 😁

Torque/yaw was one of the notable/surprising killers of WW2 single engine Aviators (even some experienced ones who should've known better).

I've never found it excessive in any of the XP GA add-ons.

And this isn't an XP "problem". For e.g., it's well modelled in the A2A Simulations props in Prepar3D. And you FOR SURE better have it under control for their warbirds.

MilViz modeled it in their P3D props, as well.

DCS World warbirds, which are widely considered to have very good flight models, have it in full effect. It might be excessive there, but then again, the guy who owns DCSW also owns and flies warbirds IRL, so perhaps not.

Finally, in MSFS, the condition is certainly "excessive" for the hi fi warbirds from multiple devs and is present for other lower powered GA props, as well.

E.g., the recent JF Piper Turbo Arrow has it modeled to a significant degree, too.

So, in sum, the effect you're complaining about does indeed exist IRL, and varies significantly depending on the aircraft.

And it has been widely modeled in other simulators & add-ons over the years to more or less the same degree as in XP.

And as MSFS has been steadily increasing the fidelity of their general aero model, we are seeing it more frequently and more "excessively" in MSFS add-ons.

Do you have rudder pedals? Honestly makes a world of difference.

P.s.: definitely stay away from helicopters 😉

Thanks for your extensive reply. I was not aware for the WW2 aviators. Yes I have rudder pedals and it might surprise you but I used to fly the Dodosim and Huey in DCS. Left rudder needed indeed for take off or hover. I was just asking for GA prop aircrafts comparatively for X-Plane and MSFS and indeed you gave your opinion. Yes I am aware the effect does exist IRL, my point was about the intensity.