Learning to fly with pedals

[ozrocker]

The last several weeks I've been trying to get accustomed to flying with pedals,
transitioning from a twisty. I gotta say, it's a challenge.
It's like trying to relearn everything. When to apply, how much,
how pedal movement = rudder movement, so on.
Especially aim is giving me trouble when slipping across target.
For those who have done this;
Did you find it to be difficult/easy?
How long did it take you to become proficient?
Tips?

                                                                                                                                                                        Oz                                                                                                           

[branch37]

ive been flying with pedals for a few months now and im still not used to it.  It seems that when I was using a twisty stick, I was giving a tiny right rudder input without realizing it.  Now all my shots fly wide left. 

[SilverZ06]

I changed to pedals probably a year ago and I still have trouble with it. 

[Shane]

I had(ve) pedals - TM, but havent had em hooked up for years (gameport).

When I first started using them, it didn't take long whatsoever, pedals are much more precise and intuitive than a twisty.

I want my pedals baaaaaack!!!  <runs off to look for GP to usb adapter and wonders if it'll work>

[zack1234]

You need a decent scaling curve on them 

[PFactorDave]

It was the twisty stick that I couldn't get used to, so I finally bought some pedals.  But I have some real world flying experience, so pedals was what I was already accustomed to using.

[Patches1]

I fly with all of my controls at the very top of sensitivity...no curve.

However, I started flying this way from my first day in Aces High, so it is natural to me.

I will suggest that since you are transitioning from twisty to rudder pedals that instead of thinking about scaling your rudder pedals, put them at the top of sensitivity and practice Offline, or in the Training Arena, or Dueling Arena, and fly to what you see and not concentrate on the rudder at all...let your eyes tell your feet what to do. Soon you will recognize when you are slipping, and not turning.

In short, don't think about it...it will soon become intuitive...just like walking down the street, or climbing up and down stairs. But, just like a child first learning to walk, you will fall down and bump your nose. Just don't think about it too much! Let your muscles and brain relearn without pressure to perform like an Olympian and the transition will come naturally.

I hope this helps.

[katanaso]

No scaling for my pedals.  I do dampen them slightly since there's so little resistance when moving them.

I made the transition from 3D-Pro to CH Pedals back in 1996.  It took a couple of weeks for them to become second nature when playing.

Once you hit that point where you don't think about them, you find they're much better than a twisty stick, giving you way more control.

[Soulyss]

It probably took me a good 2-4 weeks to start getting comfortable with rudder pedals (I'm using CH gear), the biggest issue I had was actually releasing the pedal to return to neutral.  I tended to input rudder control then hold my leg there as I crabbed through the air sideways.    On adjustment I made that helped me was moving the resting position of my feet, rather than rest them entirely on the pedal I put my heels on the edge of the base in front of the pedal and control it just with the ball of my foot and toes, I found it easier to make small adjustments this way.

[Shuffler]

The last several weeks I've been trying to get accustomed to flying with pedals,
transitioning from a twisty. I gotta say, it's a challenge.
It's like trying to relearn everything. When to apply, how much,
how pedal movement = rudder movement, so on.
Especially aim is giving me trouble when slipping across target.
For those who have done this;
Did you find it to be difficult/easy?
How long did it take you to become proficient?
Tips?

                                                                                                                                                                        Oz                                                                                                           

Folks are different. It took me a week or less. Coordination similar to a percussionist on a trap set.

[Reschke]

I don't remember not having pedals while playing flight games. Well once I started playing games like Air Warrior and Warbirds is when I bought my first complete TM setup. I played Aces of the Pacific and Europe without pedals but didn't realize they would have helped back then.

[Babalonian]

The last several weeks I've been trying to get accustomed to flying with pedals,
transitioning from a twisty. I gotta say, it's a challenge.
It's like trying to relearn everything. When to apply, how much,
how pedal movement = rudder movement, so on.
Especially aim is giving me trouble when slipping across target.
For those who have done this;
Did you find it to be difficult/easy?
How long did it take you to become proficient?
Tips?

                                                                                                                                                                        Oz                                                                                                           

I'm twisty, always have been, likely always will be.  I just don't like the little plastic pedals (also I'm a relatively big guy, wont take much to snap them I feel if I tried).  Even when I had a bad wrist injury, I tried pedlas but hated them, so I just worked with the gimp wrist until it got stronger.

[Flench]

I had just got a set of CH pedals and used them for 3 month's before my system crashed and was just starting to get the hang of them . So I say three month's .

[DEECONX]

I'm twisty, always have been, likely always will be.  I just don't like the little plastic pedals (also I'm a relatively big guy, wont take much to snap them I feel if I tried).  Even when I had a bad wrist injury, I tried pedlas but hated them, so I just worked with the gimp wrist until it got stronger.

See, that's what kept me from trying it. I'd hate to put money into something like that only for big foot here with his size 15's to snap em 

[Bruv119]

switched to pedals about 3 years ago after flying a good 7 years with twisty's,

It took me 2 weeks  (no joke) the 14th day I was prepared to open my bedroom window and see if they could take flight themselves.  Until something clicked in my brain to use my dam feet!   Soon I was dancing and shooting like a champ.   

Just fly around the DA and get as much target practice as possible once your done colliding into the back of people forgetting to use them it should start coming together.

That being said the rudder isn't some magic weapon all it does is provide a wider band of control and is just more natural IMO.    I guess the best thing is less wear and tear on your flight stick and with mine being CH it is very smooth and accurate.