You're right, real controls don't self center when airplanes
are parked (zero airspeed). However, they do self center in the air. In
other words, the self centering effect varies directly with airspeed. When
I go into a screaming, fabric ripping power dive, it takes all of my
marvelous, heroic strength to move the controls off center and pull out just
inches above the ground. Whew!

Force-feedback simulator controls could be programmed to behave in this
manner, but I know of none that do. Centering springs appear to be the best
compromise currently available.

Why not have the springs removed from your controls and experience the
difference between a stiff stick (they don't call it a "joy" stick for
nothing) and a floppy noodle? Ichabod Mudd (my grease monkey) would
cheerfully de-spring them for you if he weren't busy preparing my ship for
our next death defying adventure.

Happy Landings,

Captain Midnight

----- Original Message -----
From: "Clive"
Newsgroups: rec.aviation.simulators
Sent: Saturday, October 11, 2003 12:23 AM
Subject: Bobe 'sprung' Joystick


In real Aircraft Joysticks/Yokes don't self centre. Are there any
joysticks
that don't have springs to self centre them, or has anyone removed springs
from a Joystick to try this?

Clive