Control deflections and control forces: How do they work?

[BnZs]

I'm kind of curious.

Right now I'm assuming that 100% control throw on the joystick=100% control deflection, assuming control forces aren't too high. I'm also assuming that if my stick is completely unscaled, then 50% control throw will be about 50% full control deflection, etc.

Now those control forces...I've heard the AH "pilot" can pull 50 pounds. Does that mean the sim aerodynamically calculates how much force is required for a given control deflection, and allows full deflection up until the 50 pound limit is reached?

[Skuzzy]

The simple answer.

The rate of the physical movement of the control surfaces is capped at a specific velocity.  During normal flight, you should not be able to tell that is it is capped.

Also note, the physical motion of the control surface may, or may not, match the actual flight physics.  HiTech was a bit too busy to look up that one for me.

[Mar]

Good info, but not sure that's what he was asking about in his post. I think he's talking about stick scaling and planes that don't have hydraulic assisted controls.

Example: the P-38L has hydraulic ailerons and so you can see it rolls faster at higher speeds. The (can't think of a plane to use) rolls slower at higher speeds because the forces on the ailerons the pilot must fight against are much greater at higher speed.

[Bizman]

Good info, but not sure that's what he was asking about in his post. I think he's talking about stick scaling and planes that don't have hydraulic assisted controls.

Example: the P-38L has hydraulic ailerons and so you can see it rolls faster at higher speeds. The (Bf 109) rolls slower at higher speeds because the forces on the ailerons the pilot must fight against are much greater at higher speed.

[Skuzzy]

Good info, but not sure that's what he was asking about in his post. I think he's talking about stick scaling and planes that don't have hydraulic assisted controls.

Example: the P-38L has hydraulic ailerons and so you can see it rolls faster at higher speeds. The (can't think of a plane to use) rolls slower at higher speeds because the forces on the ailerons the pilot must fight against are much greater at higher speed.

Each plane has its own velocity cap for the control surfaces.

[BnZs]

Each plane has its own velocity cap for the control surfaces.

Velocity cap simply means I can't move the virtual control surface as quick as I can move a 6'' joystick right? Makes sense.

I was more wondering about stick movement in relation to deflection on the control surface. Like sitting on the runway, 100% back on the stick will up elevator as far as it will go, yes?

Now control forces, I assume that is calculated aerodynamically as you fly, and trim comes into it. Like you are in a 109 in a fast dive, the pilot can't pull out, you start trimming nose up and the stick forces for a given elevator deflection become less than 50 pounds so you can get that deflection...is that close to how it works?

[Skuzzy]

Velocity cap simply means I can't move the virtual control surface as quick as I can move a 6'' joystick right? Makes sense.

I was more wondering about stick movement in relation to deflection on the control surface. Like sitting on the runway, 100% back on the stick will up elevator as far as it will go, yes?

Now control forces, I assume that is calculated aerodynamically as you fly, and trim comes into it. Like you are in a 109 in a fast dive, the pilot can't pull out, you start trimming nose up and the stick forces for a given elevator deflection become less than 50 pounds so you can get that deflection...is that close to how it works?

Yes, the elevator, or any control surface, will move to maximum deflection if the stick is at full deflection.  This assumes the stick is fully calibrated.

As to the rest, I'll have to wait until Hitech gets some free time for him to root around in his coad.

[FLS]

The controller setup advanced screen shows the actual stick position and the related input that the game sees. With no scaling they are the same after calibration.

If you look at your rudder when sitting still on the runway you can see that you can move the rudder pedals faster than the rudder moves.

When you dive at high speed you can see that aileron and elevator travel is reduced,  full stick movement gives partial or no control surface movement but you can increase it with trim. Trim does not decrease the aerodynamic forces on the stick, those are from your speed. Trim lets the stick stay in position so the pilot's force to hold it there is reduced.