WingFlaps wrote:
On Feb 10, 8:25 am, Dudley Henriques wrote:

It's interesting to note that the control pressure differences should
offer no problems for the pilot going from the actual airplane into the
sim, but could easily cause problems going the other way.


I agree, I could fly the simulator easily and even land first time
straight on track it but I find the real thing much harder. I'm
guessing but the reduction in data input (to the model and to the
"pilot") coupled with the simplicity of the model makes it easier to
operate. I thought it did not simulate ground effects well either.

Cheers


What happens is interesting, and involves the mental/physical process
acquired when learning to fly in the real airplane first before coming
into the simulator.
Although when using aircraft controls there most certainly is a vector
involved when applying them, the learning process in the actual airplane
involves a constantly changing control PRESSURE dynamic as the controls
are applied at various airspeeds. (one could consider the dynamic as a
function of slugs per/sq.in. load vs response on the surfaces if
inclined in that direction :-) (We're talking un-boosted controls here
of course :-)
Once you have become acclimated to control use in the actual airplane,
the pressure needed becomes second nature and an educated reflex as you
determine the desired pressure to achieve the desired result regardless
of the airspeed.
What's interesting in this equation is that the vector required
(direction plus length) of control use is not really an important factor
in the actual airplane after the direction needed has been learned.
Bringing this from the airplane into the simulator loses the pressure
factor but retains the vector learning curve.
The pilot coming into the sim moves the joystick using the right vector
in direction and uses a visual cue for result acquired from the monitor.
The only thing missing in the equation here is the pressure.
Going the other way, from the sim into the aircraft, the vector factor
is a known, but the pressure dynamic is missing.
It's the pressure in the changing energy dynamic that the sim pilot
moving into an airplane must learn.
This is why I always recommend that instructors encourage new student
pilots who use the simulator to NOT use it during the initial period of
dual instruction before solo. After that, the sim has uses that can be
beneficial in the flight training environment.



--
Dudley Henriques