CH Pro Rudder Problems with FSUIPC

[ryanf]

Hi,

I am new to this forum - hi to everyone!

I am having a problem with my CH Pro rudder pedals and FSUIPC. I recently started using a PFC Cirrus II console but I am using it with my CH PRo rudder pedals. I decided to use FSUIPC exclusively for the rudder axes processing so I disabled joystick support in FS9 and assigned and calibrated the rudder axes in FSUIPC.

I saw two problems;

firstly, when rolling on the runway, the plane keeps pulling to one side and I have to use a lot of rudder pedal deflection to keep it straight. Yet when I check the FSUIPC axis calibration page, the rudder output is zero and the brake outputs are also zero. I also tested the rudder pedals using the CH PRo software and they seem perfectly calibrated there also. When flying, I don't seem to be out of balance according to the slip indicator so I was unsure if it was a small rudder deflection or a brake problem. However, the brake message does not appear on the FS window. Even if I take my feet off the pedals entirely, I still get the plane pulling to one side.

secondly, the brake axes on the rudder seemed very sensitive so I assigned a larger null zone through FSUIPC and what sometimes seems to happen is if I press very lightly on either brake, I get the brake message appearing for less than a second on the FS window before disappearing. I also checked in the FSUIPC calibration window and sure enough, if I do the same thing, the out value momentarily shows a non-zero value before immediately resetting itself back to zero where it should be (since I am still within the null zone).

I used to have the rudders axes assigned through FS and did not have this problem before.

Any ideas?

thanks,

Ryan.

[Pete Dowson]

when rolling on the runway, the plane keeps pulling to one side and I have to use a lot of rudder pedal deflection to keep it straight. Yet when I check the FSUIPC axis calibration page, the rudder output is zero and the brake outputs are also zero.

Thery are zero all the time, no matter what the input is showing? Have you actually calibrated them at all?

Even if I take my feet off the pedals entirely, I still get the plane pulling to one side.

That sounds exactly like either the calibration has not been done in FSUIPC, or you've done it badly.

secondly, the brake axes on the rudder seemed very sensitive so I assigned a larger null zone through FSUIPC and what sometimes seems to happen is if I press very lightly on either brake, I get the brake message appearing for less than a second on the FS window before disappearing. I also checked in the FSUIPC calibration window and sure enough, if I do the same thing, the out value momentarily shows a non-zero value before immediately resetting itself back to zero where it should be (since I am still within the null zone)

That sounds like the brake pedals are not only operating the analogue brakes, but also sending a normal "brake button" control (like the '.' on the keyboard) as that is exactly what that does. Are you sure you aren't using some CH driver too, sending such messages?

Show me the [JoystickCalibrations] and [Axes] sections of your FSUIPC INI file (from the FS Modules folder). You can cut and paste those into a message here.

I also need to know the VERSION numbers of both FSUIPC and FS. If you are not using the latest FSUIPC, please do so first.

Pete

[ryanf]

Hi Pete,

thanks for the **very** quick reply!

The rudder axis outputs are not zero the whole time - just when I steer straight with the pedals i.e. don't push either pedal.

I'll check the FSUIPC & FS (FS9 but not sure exact version) versions and the CH driver and then get back to you.

Many thanks,

Ryan.

[Pete Dowson]

The rudder axis outputs are not zero the whole time - just when I steer straight with the pedals i.e. don't push either pedal.

Okay. and does the "pulling" occur to one side only (which way, the left?) only with prop planes, and is it more pronounced with higher engine revs? If so are you sure it isn't simply the normal effect of the propeller torque and the tailfin backwash? In a real prop you have to apply some rudder to stay on the centreline, and more as you increase throttle.

Alternatively, possibly you have the rudder trim set off-centre?

With a zero input to the rudder the rudder will be central, neutral. Go outside the aircraft and look at it to check.

Pete

[ryanf]

Hi Pete,

does the "pulling" occur to one side only (which way, the left?) only with prop planes

It pulls to the right - I am using a cessna 152 model so the propwash & torque should cause it to pull to the left.

possibly you have the rudder trim set off-centre

I'll double check that.

Go outside the aircraft and look at it to check.

Nice! Why didn't I think of that.....? Will check it thanks!

thanks,

Ryan.

[Pete Dowson]

It pulls to the right - I am using a cessna 152 model so the propwash & torque should cause it to pull to the left.

Okay. Maybe I remember it wrong -- it's a long time since I flew one. Make sure that this is so with the FS simulation -- turn the effect off under "realism" and see if it changes.

Also make sure you do tests with zero wind -- the Cessna is light enough to try to veer into even light winds.

Pete

[ryanf]

Hi Pete,

well I did the following:

1. Removed the rudder axis assignments in FS - I thought FS would just ignore it since the FS joysticks were disabled...not the case though...should have read the FSUIPC documentation more carefully!

2. Removed all wind

3. Checked the outside view of the aircraft and saw no rudder deflection.

With this testing, everything was working fine - no steering off-course and no brake messages. Then I added wind again and still it worked fine. So I think it was a problem that FS was still processing the brake axes.

It's working fine now!

Thanks for your help!

cheers,

Ryan.