Since getting Flight Simulator at the first release, I have been flying using just my old MS Force Feedback 2 joystick. I generally just fly GA single engine aircraft and the joystick has really served me well and has performed flawlessly. But over time I have been missing added capabilities, specifically rudder pedals, toe brakes and more sliders for mixture and pitch. So this Christmas I finally decided to upgrade. After some soul searching and accepting that it is not best in class, I settled on the TM T16000M FCS Flight pack combo. I have now been using it since Boxing Day and thought I would give some first impressions.
1. Installation
This pretty much went flawlessly. Downloaded and installed drivers and the “Target” calibration software and installed both. Looked at the Target software and thought I would leave that for later as my first inclination was to just use the Windows and game interfaces.
Plugged in the devices and loaded the sim. I had drawn up a controls scheme using the available buttons & sliders suited to my use, so first step was to get these programmed. Went to controls options and both the joystick and the throttle - which incorporates the rudders - were present and correct.
Went through the normal slog of working through all the inputs etc. and got it sufficient for a first test. Loaded a flight and - with crossed fingers! - started a first flight in a C172. And everything sorta kinda worked. Nothing wrong with the hardware, just my errors in setup basically. That and taking off without checking the elevator trim. Which ended up being fully forward, leading to a very short and exciting flight with a somewhat controlled heavy landing!
Did some brief remapping of controls to rectify things like crossed over camera assignments and tried again. Much better!
The next few test flights were to review calibrations of sliders etc. and adjust as required. All of this worked basically as required and other than operator glitches I cannot recall any hardware/software issues. Biggest changes were to curves and sensitivities on mixture (flattening out the initial leaning as it was WAY too sensitive) and RPM (likewise).
Yesterday I finally got to the point that the hardware is set up the way I wanted and envisaged it. And it works beautifully! It really makes flying way easier and enjoyable.
Some thoughts about the individual components:
2. Joystick
Biggest issue: I find the centering springs to be too stiff. It is way harder than my old MS FFB stick. I much prefer the MS stick’s feel. But even this has become less of an issue as I have gotten used to it. But even so I still prefer the feel of the MS stick.
Buttons are fine and I really like the slider on the base. I used to have the throttle mapped to the MS slider and mixture to two buttons (leaner/richer) but, because I now have a fully fledged throttle, I set the mixture adjustment to the joystick slider. And after adjusting the curve to my taste it works just beautifully. Just a delight after the messy incremental button pushes.
3. Rudder pedals
Pros: As a former PPL, I find having rudder pedals is HUGE improvement over twisting the joystick. It just comes way more naturally. Also having proportional individual wheel brakes makes a dramatic difference. I found it a huge schlep to use buttons on my joystick for L & R brakes while twisting the stick for steering and then trying to repeatedly press and release buttons set to the two wheel brakes. This alone made the whole upgrade worth while.
The pedals move smoothly and (too) lightly, so no issue there. I have the rudder pedals on carpet and I have not found the pedals moving to be a problem.
Cons: because of the relatively light pressure required to move the rudder pedals, it is hard to keep them centred while flying straight & level. It is very easy to unintentionally depress the one side or the other slightly without realising it. I would prefer somewhat heavier - and progressive! - pressure to move them.
4. Throttle
Pros: Just having a separate throttle has been a fantastic upgrade for me. It was always a huge annoyance to lean across my body with my left hand to manage the throttle on the joystick by my right hand. This, plus having the RPM adjustment on the “Antenna” (what is that name all about??) dial on the throttle makes the whole after takeoff power and RPM reduction an absolute doddle. I also have a rocker for gear up/down and buttons for flap increase/decrease. Fantastic to keep your hands in one position while managing these items during a “busy” time in a flight.
I also have a POV switch to select drone and showcase cameras on the throttle. Drone camera controls are on the hat switch of the joystick while cockpit camera views are on a POV on the throttle. This works perfectly for me.
I read beforehand that the throttle movement can suffer from excessive “stiction”, so I purchased upgrades for the linear bearings and slider. A pleasant surprise: I find the throttle movement sufficiently easy and smooth that, for now, I do not intend installing the improved components.
Cons: Surprisingly, I cannot immediately think of any real cons! maybe as I get over the wonder of the new functionality and I put more hours on the system I will find something.
A minor gripe: I use the rotary dial on the left side of the throttle handle for RPM control. A few times now I have jogged the setting somewhat when moving my hand on the throttle handle. This has required a bit of a mindset change to avoid it but as it has become second nature this really isn’t an issue any longer.
5. Overall impression
I bought the system for relatively cheap (under CAD$270/US$210) as an inexpensive way to test out a more complete control setup. I was not expecting it to be the the absolute greatest so I must admit to being very pleasantly surprised. The connectivity, setup and general functionality was everything I was hoping for. Durability and reliability is obviously still an unknown at this stage,
But overall: so far so good. I am very happy.