Rudder Pedals

[HighGTrn]

I've spent some time searching (which isn't easy using AH's search feature cause you can't specify advanced options like date and such) the forums for some information and couldn't really find what I was looking for.

My box of Saitek rudder pedals is coming via UPS today (finally).  I've heard all kinds of urban legends about the use of pedals and would like the straight scoop.  Right now, I have a twisty stick.  There are alot of information about setting up the pedals and getting it to work but I did not see much about the actual use of the pedals.

Some of what I heard goes like this:

1.  You're gonna get shot down alot the first few weeks of using them cause they are gonna do terrible things to your flying.
2.  Your aim is gonna go right out the window till you get used to them cause they do terrible things to your aim.
3.  You're gonna stall alot so that means you are gonna die alot.
4.  You're gonna die alot anyways cause you are not used to using them.

As you can see the common thread here is that I'm gonna die alot because I have to get used to them.  Ok, I'll take that as a given.  However, what I want to know is if there is any advice I can implement that will shorten that learning curve.  I know there are alot of pedal users out there and I've seen them do some pretty crazy things in the game. 

One more note.  Most of my kills are done without using any rudder input (as much I know anyways).  If this is the case, the pedals shouldn't matter right?  Also, should I change my scaling for yaw since I'm gonna be using the rudders?  If so, anyone recommend some settings?

Thanks in advance.

S1n1ster

[PFactorDave]

When I got my first set of pedals, it seemed much more natural to me...  I always hated the twisty stick.

[mtnman]

Generally, I think if you're getting killed more because of your new pedals, it's due to two things.

1- The "New Toy" syndrome.  You'll use/overuse them because you're excited about the new toy.
2- You just aren't used to them, and are somewhat "uncoordinated" yet.

Both of those problems go away eventually.

You can't do anything flight-wise with pedals that you can't do with a twisty stick.  No "crazy things in the game" rely on pedals.

You can easily feed in some accidental/inadvertent control inputs with a twisty stick.  That's a big argument for why some prefer pedals (I do).  On the other hand, you can inadvertently feed in some control input with the pedals too.

Gunnery- See # 1 and 2 above.  Will your gunnery improve with pedals in the long run?  Maybe.  I wouldn't say gunnery is pedal-dependent.

Not using rudder- I RTB when my rudder gets damaged.  I may stick around for another kill, or to get out of the fight, but I consider the rudder to be as important as any other control surface.  It gets used A LOT.

Scaling- I scale it like my elevators and ailerons.  Straight line across the top (no scaling).  Some prefer to do otherwise.

[Anaxogoras]

In a month you'll wonder what you ever did without them.  All I can say is practice, practice, practice.  They won't cause you to be shot down more often, but once you get the hang of them you will start winning scissor fights that you would have previously lost.

[Chalenge]

Your pedals are going to make things easier for you but continue to spread the fear so no one else catches on to 'the big secret of uber pilots.'

[L0nGb0w]

First thing I noticed a big difference is the last second before you squeeze the trigger.  You'd be amazed how big of a difference just a tiny rudder input makes and don't realize it until you twist your stick and nothing happens. 

[CRYPTIC]

Don't give up you will learn them. From squad mates that have added them it has taken about a month. At first you may not be as good but in the end you will wonder how you ever flew without them.

[Sol75]

When i got mine it felt SO much more natural.  Maybe this is from flying in RL? who knows, but within a day I was MUCH more precisely maneuvering the aircraft!

Sol

[shiv]

Something to watch for:  For a while when I got them I was forgetting to take my foot off the pedal after I fed in some rudder.  So I'd fly for a while and be losing more speed until I noticed I was still on the pedal.   Not sure how common that is but it took me a while to learn how not to do that.

Also, I never used the Saiteks but with CH pedals it works better to just push the pedal with your toes, as opposed to having your whole foot on the pedal.  At least for me that is.  Except for landing, then I'll put my feet on them so i can use both the rudder and toe brakes.

[TequilaChaser]

Something to watch for:  For a while when I got them I was forgetting to take my foot off the pedal after I fed in some rudder.  So I'd fly for a while and be losing more speed until I noticed I was still on the pedal.   Not sure how common that is but it took me a while to learn how not to do that.Also, I never used the Saiteks work but with CH pedals it works better to just push the pedal with your toes, as opposed to having your whole foot on the pedal.  At least for me that is.  Except for landing, then I'll put my feet on them so i can use both the rudder and toe brakes.

The bold part is Absolute TRUTH .... Great Tip you pointed out  and it is VERY Common

As for scaling, I scale the same as mtnman, 100% all sliders cross the top.......... yes this is SCALING, the game is not default to these settings...

I also add a tad bit of Deadband for I rest my feet on my pedals, this helps me avoid in unwarranted input.......

Good Luck .... You gonna be glad you got Pedals  

hope this helps

[Lusche]

  For a while when I got them I was forgetting to take my foot off the pedal after I fed in some rudder.  So I'd fly for a while and be losing more speed until I noticed I was still on the pedal.   Not sure how common that is

Been there, done that

Learned not to wear any shoes when playing AH 

[HighGTrn]

Ok, got my pedals last night, installed them and got online.  I felt like so uncoordinated.  I found myself twisting the stick vs. pushing pedals.  It took 10 or so sorties before I finally got a kill.  Spent the rest of the night in the DA trying to get used to them.

I never realized how much rudder input I used to line up shots until now.  To me, looks like most of the things I heard were true.

[100Coogn]

I had to put a lot of dead-band in mine, because I always rest my feet on them.  I end up triggering the rudder one way or the other, without realizing it. 
Seems to work pretty good for me now.

[Spikes]

I've spent some time searching (which isn't easy using AH's search feature cause you can't specify advanced options like date and such) the forums for some information and couldn't really find what I was looking for.

http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=search;advanced;search=
Advanced search .

[Latrobe]

Took me about 1 week to get used to my pedals. It's a lot easier to change from twisty stick to rudder pedals than it is to change from the hat switch to TrackIR (Though I do recommend getting both. Pedals to increase gunnery accuracy and TrackIR for better SA).

For me my gunnery was better the instant I used pedals against planes, but ground targets will be harder. Just don't worry about how long it will take you to get used to the pedals because once you do, you'll love them!