Yak-1 drifting left, controller calibration

[mattswe]

Hi! 

From what I understand it's normal for those ww2 planes to roll slightly left due to the engine torque. But sometimes I feel that the rolling is worse than other times (I mostly fly Yak-1). This can even happen between missions. This makes me wonder if I might have calibration issues.

 

What is you routine for calibrating your controllers? I use to push all the axes to their end positions before taking off the first time in a game session (after starting the sim). Do you think that is good enough? Do you experience changes in calibration between missions? 

 

By the way, I use TM Warthog stick and throttle, and TM TPR rudder pedals. 

Edited July 17, 2021 by mattswe

[Dragon1-1]

Are you sure it's not the wind? It can produce a similar effect, and it varies from mission to mission. Calibration is usually done once, and then it holds, unless there's something with the stick/pedals.

[mattswe]

Just now, Dragon1-1 said:

Are you sure it's not the wind? It can produce a similar effect, and it varies from mission to mission. Calibration is usually done once, and then it holds, unless there's something with the stick/pedals.

Is there a way to learn the wind direction and strength at mission start? 

[AEthelraedUnraed]

28 minutes ago, mattswe said:

Hi! 

From what I understand it's normal for those ww2 planes to roll slightly left due to the engine torque. But sometimes I feel that the rolling is worse than other times (I mostly fly Yak-1). This can even happen between missions. This makes me wonder if I might have calibration issues.

 

What is you routine for calibrating your controllers? I use to push all the axes to their end positions before taking off the first time in a game session (after starting the sim). Do you think that is good enough? Do you experience changes in calibration between missions? 

 

By the way, I use TM Warthog stick and throttle, and TM TPR rudder pedals. 

I don't really need to calibrate at all, and if your hardware is still in good shape, neither should you. If you still need to calibrate your hardware after you set it up, it's likely faulty hardware.

 

As Dragon1-1 replied just before I could, a sidewind can also push the nose left or right.

 

Just now, mattswe said:

Is there a way to learn the wind direction and strength at mission start? 

Sometimes the mission briefing gives those, but not always. The game will try to put you on the runway with a headwind, but if an airfield has only a single runway that may still give up to 90 degrees sidewind.

[mattswe]

I recently bought a new base plate for my Warhog stick since the last one was worn out (didn't center correctly and I had to write a TARGET script in order to correct it). The pedals are new so the hardware shouldn't be faulty.

[Jaegermeister]

29 minutes ago, mattswe said:

I recently bought a new base plate for my Warhog stick since the last one was worn out (didn't center correctly and I had to write a TARGET script in order to correct it). The pedals are new so the hardware shouldn't be faulty.

 

 

@mattswe You can download the Warthog calibration app to recalibrate the axis' on the Warthog. They should give it to you with the controllers, but they don't.

 

I recently had to recalibrate the secondary throttle axis that I use for mixture control

 

Warthog Calibration Tools.zip

 

 

Edited July 17, 2021 by Jaegermeister

[mattswe]

16 minutes ago, Jaegermeister said:

 

 

@mattswe You can download the Warthog calibration app to recalibrate the axis' on the Warthog. They should give it to you with the controllers, but they don't.

 

I recently had to recalibrate the secondary throttle axis that I use for mixture control

 

Warthog Calibration Tools.zip 389.75 kB · 0 downloads

 

 

Now that's interesting. I'll check it out, thanks. 

[AEthelraedUnraed]

3 hours ago, mattswe said:

I recently bought a new base plate for my Warhog stick since the last one was worn out (didn't center correctly and I had to write a TARGET script in order to correct it). The pedals are new so the hardware shouldn't be faulty.

If your hardware is new, you should calibrate it once using software such as those which Jaegermeister mentions, or even the default Windows "Set up USB game controllers" app. Note that calibration should happen outside of IL2, and that unless your calibration app specifically tells you to move your joystick, pushing all axes to their maximum position has zero effect.

 

Again, calibration should basically happen once (or afterwards perhaps once a year or so as your gear slowly wears). If you need to do it much more often than that, there's definitely something else going on - whether that's sidewind, faulty hardware, faulty software or something else entirely.

 

Let us know if this helps to solve your problem!

Edited July 17, 2021 by AEthelraedUnraed

[danielprates]

I am guessing that, after calibrating as suggested, you will still feel the same deviation. Torque is a mighty force, and it differs a lot from plane to plane. Its not only about the engine, some planes have control surfaces that are only effective above a considerable speed like the hs 129 where you have to use both rudder and brakes until you pick up speed. 

 

Do try to see if it is indeed a hardware issue, but if its not, no biggie: start practicing more on the specific plane that is giving you a hard time.

[I./JG52_Woutwocampe]

Russian propellers rotate counter clockwise and the torque pulls you to the right, not the left.

[mattswe]

Thanks, I'll look into calibrating the way you describe. I'll post the result. But first a week of vacation traveling. 

[mattswe]

Some reflections.

When starting down the runway the yak-1 turns to the right (engine torque), and using the rudder pedals works fine for correction. When getting airborne and climbing, the plane usually start to roll to the left, more or less. 

 

Using calibration tools the joystick and rudder looks like they are calibrated. 

[AEthelraedUnraed]

Glad to hear your gear seems to be calibrated properly.

 

Yes, every powered aircraft will experience some kind of roll due to torque. They're usually trimmed for a specific amount of it (or even designed - the left wing of the MC.202 is 21cm longer than the right). That means that if the torque is either more or less than that, your aircraft will roll. This can be especially apparent (and even dangerous) when suddenly increasing or decreasing engine power at low speed and level (e.g. on final).