plane icon Welcome to Microsoft Flight Simulator’s SDK Q&A Platform!

We prepared 3 new YouTube tutorials about Audio! They are available here.
You have questions regarding the SDK? DevMode Tools? SimConnect? You would like to submit an idea for future improvements, seek help or exchange knowledge? You’re in the right place.

Please take a moment to read the platform’s guidelines before you get started!


question

GrimPhoenix9349 avatar image
GrimPhoenix9349 asked FlyingRaccoon commented

Why does Free Castering not work correctly?

I queried this directly back in October with the Reno package, as I noted the problem on the P51. I went into detail about what I saw and how it was wrong. I was assured that it was fixed and working correctly. It was not and is not.

Free castering is exactly that - there is no direct control over the wheel's angle, you have to manipulate it via other influences. Unfortunately, the way it has been set up in the sim is that application of a small amount of power and then a dab of either left or right brake turns the wheel in the direction of the applied brake. We have had reports of incorrect handling with the JF Hawk under test with free castering ( the actual comment, from a Hawk instructor, was "it's exceptionally unrealistic I'm afraid"), so I sat it on its tail, applied power and dabbed the brakes. What should happen is the wheel should remain exactly where it is. What actually happens is that it steers with the application of brake. See the following video:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JsPEiprB2gX0-4aDxQST-JgWpD2J7OcE/view?usp=sharing


Is there any chance we can get this properly fixed and working correctly? I am looking at it with regard to the JF Hawk update, but I know there are other aircraft close to first release that need a correctly-implimented free castering wheel and the devs are scratching their heads!

flightmodel
10 |10000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 5 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 4.8 MiB each and 23.8 MiB total.

2 Answers

·
FlyingRaccoon avatar image
FlyingRaccoon answered

Hello @GrimPhoenix9349

I just ran some tests using the Hawk but I don't repro the behaviour you describe. Using the brakes didn't have any influence on the nosewheel position.
However, as soon as I used rudder input, the wheel was rotating, which is not supposed to happen if the wheel is configured for free castering.

14.gif


Could you show us how your CONTACT_POINT section is configured please?

Regards,
Sylvain


14.gif (18.8 MiB)
10 |10000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 5 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 4.8 MiB each and 23.8 MiB total.

GrimPhoenix9349 avatar image
GrimPhoenix9349 answered FlyingRaccoon commented

Hi Sylvain,


You won't see the behaviour because the release version had nosewheel steering implimented - at the time of release, free castering was not an option and only became 'functional' at the same time as the Reno package. I am working on JF's first flight dynamics patch for the Hawk and trying to impliment a free-castering nosewheel (which should act like a shopping trolley wheel) in the same way that it was done for FSX but with the extra lines in the steering / castering section:


point.0 = 1, -5.383, 0, -4.3, 1900, 0, 0.71, 180, 0.104, 6, 0.55, 1.3, 2.8, 0, 200, 240, 1


(where a 'steering angle' of 180 defines it as free castering)


max_speed_full_steering = 0 ; 15
max_speed_decreasing_steering = 0 ; 40 Defines the speed above which the angle of steering stops decreasing (in feet/second).
min_available_steering_angle_pct = 0 ; Defines the percentage of steering which will always be available even above max_speed_decreasing_steering (in percent over 100).
max_speed_full_steering_castering = 20 ; Defines the speed under which the full angle of steering is available for free castering wheels (in feet/second).
max_speed_decreasing_steering_castering = 50 ; Defines the speed above which the angle of steering stops decreasing for free castering wheels (in feet/second).



There should be no ability to directly steer a free castering wheel in any way at all. The use of left / right brake OR a single brake and offsetting the rudder are the two possible steering options with free-castering.


Happy to send you the full file for you to try if it would help?

3 comments
10 |10000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 5 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 4.8 MiB each and 23.8 MiB total.

FlyingRaccoon avatar image FlyingRaccoon ♦♦ ·
Hello @GrimPhoenix9349


Sorry for my lack of availability.
Unless you have solved the problem, yes the source package would be helpful so I can repro and investigate.

Regards,
Sylvain

0 Likes 0 ·
MartynJF avatar image MartynJF FlyingRaccoon ♦♦ ·

I couldn't find a way to message you here.


Thanks for the help,
Martyn - Just Flight

0 Likes 0 ·
FlyingRaccoon avatar image FlyingRaccoon ♦♦ MartynJF ·

You can provide a link in a comment visible only to moderators.

More explanations here: How to report a bug or crash - MSFS DevSupport (flightsimulator.com)

1 Like 1 ·

Write an Answer

Hint: Notify or tag a user in this post by typing @username.

Up to 5 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 19.1 MiB each and 23.8 MiB total.