I think you make some very strong and valid points. The equipment is critical. I have been a sim car racer for years. Getting good equipment and a sim that properly implements force feedback makes a huge difference.
In this case, I have a basic Logitech yoke system and it’s not good. The throw is pitifully short and it’s not smooth. Trying to make fine adjustments can often lead to lurches – it sticks then releases and you pull further than you wanted. On center, there is virtually no spring resistance for at least an inch.
Having said that, I can be at cruise in a GA aircraft and move the yoke a certain amount and get a particular reaction from the aircraft. I can then slow the aircraft, put in some flaps, and then stabilize. I can move the yoke the same amount as before and get the same basic reaction. The only difference is it obviously stalls out quickly at the slower speeds.
That’s just not right. Control authority should be less at slower speeds. That’s just physics.
It could be the yoke and the silly way we have to trim that’s making it worse than it is, but I think the sim itself has aerodynamic issues. I could be wrong given all the other factors, but it’s the way it behaves.
One thing that would make things better is if the yoke just had a way to recenter the spring. When trim is used, it should physically move the center on the yoke. That would make feel a million times better.
I guess I should look for a better yoke.
Thanks for the comments.