Physics and Aerodynamic on Directional Stability - Part 2 - Getting to the Root of the Problem

[Alec246]

@hobanagerik

I’m probably doing something wrong here, so thought I would check.

I have tried playing around with the “rudder_effectiveness = x” value for the 172 G1000, in a 9kt crosswind. I’m using dev. mode to re-load the plane between making changes to the file.

I have tried values from 2 to 0.01, and have not felt a significant change in the way the plane handles, during takeoff or landing.

I even loaded the classic, then switched back to the G1000 version in case the changes were not being loaded correctly.

There’s a huge factor in the way the Sim handles Crosswind right now, that makes it impossible to have a realistic experience during takeoff and landings. When the plane is stopped, the Sim removes all Crosswind Effect on the simulation, probably to avoid the issues with the extreme Weathervaning that happened during early builds.

As you increase your speed during takeoff roll, the Sim gradually injects more of the Crosswind, up to a point where it achieves the proper value that will be used in flight. During Landing, the same happens but inversely. Open the Speed Debug Tab in DevMode, and check the Crosswind speed there!