I’m a tester on the CRJ project. One thing we wish could be added to the SDK would be the ability to disable controller inputs through programming, so that things like ailerons and elevators would not move in response to yoke inputs unless all hydraulic systems were properly configured, but at the moment that is not possible.
That said, the nose wheel steering switch is functional in the CRJ, and does make a difference in taxi behavior. At the moment, the only way to steer any airplane in MSFS is with rudders, and in the CRJ, the rudder steering works whether the steering switch is “on” or “off” — but, if you go to an external view, you will note that if the steering switch is “off”, the nose wheel remains centered at all times, while with the switch “on”, the nose wheel moves left/right with the rudder pedal inputs.
This is not just an animation. The nose wheel friction is modeled, and with the switch “on”, it is much easier to make a very sharp turn at slow taxi speeds, such as when making a 90 degree turn from a taxiway to line up on the runway.
Ideally, Asobo will eventually provide a true tiller axis linked to the nosewheel only.
BTW, the real CRJ can be steered on the ground if the nose wheel steering fails, by using differential braking combined with differential engine thrust, but it would be considered a grounding item if it happens before takeoff.