Hi All, I reloaded X-Plane on my new rig after a couple of years since last try. I've tried the nice Fokker F-27 and have been impressed with its flight model. The freeware 737 is nice also. Still, the models tend to feel "light" and relatively twitchy on final approach. Do any of the big payware aircraft (Dash 8, CRJ-200, Bombardier C-300, ERJ-400, in particular) demonstrate a relatively heavier "inertia" model within a 3D cockpit environment? Which payware (if not above) demonstrates the possibilities of a "big feel" aircraft in X-plane, while hand flying? (and yes, I've tweaked the joystick sensitivity values!) Thanks...I'm interested in X Plane 10, but would like to see the "best of" X Plane 9 so far to assess possibilities of aircraft feel.Thanks BillKGHY

Hi All, I reloaded X-Plane on my new rig after a couple of years since last try. I've tried the nice Fokker F-27 and have been impressed with its flight model. The freeware 737 is nice also. Still, the models tend to feel "light" and relatively twitchy on final approach. Do any of the big payware aircraft (Dash 8, CRJ-200, Bombardier C-300, ERJ-400, in particular) demonstrate a relatively heavier "inertia" model within a 3D cockpit environment? Which payware (if not above) demonstrates the possibilities of a "big feel" aircraft in X-plane, while hand flying? (and yes, I've tweaked the joystick sensitivity values!) Thanks...I'm interested in X Plane 10, but would like to see the "best of" X Plane 9 so far to assess possibilities of aircraft feel. Thanks BillKGHY

Try http://xplane10.wordpress.com and ask the guys who run that site. They have reviewed most x plane add ons and can give you a comprehensive answer.I have the CRJ and can honestly say, even though the guy who made it is my competition, it flies extremely well.

Hey Bill, As much as it comes across as self promotion, I think my payware MU2 shows inertia very well. Because of the fuel tip tanks, the Moo has a very pronounced inertia effect and I spent a good deal of time trying to get this right. I would routinely fly the real MU2, get out and be home 20 minutes later tweaking the flight model. (my buddy is a Mu2 pilot) I would agree with Goran though that you get some other opinions as I don't want to sway you based on some financial motive.

If a plane feels twitchy, it's not necessarily because the flight model isn't right. A lot of that is a function of your flight controls. Real flight controls take a certain amount of force to move, and the force often depends on your speed (in the case of most GA aircraft). Most pilots are flying X-Plane with consumer-grade control equipment that doesn't behave the same way. Consequently, a small load on the stick deflects the stick by, say, 20%, which results in a 20% control deflection, and results in the roll/pitch rate commensurate with that amount of deflection. I often find myself marveling at the inertia associated with with the stock F-4 Phantom. Here's a video showing some high speed, high alpha turns through the Grand Canyon with that aircraft:

Keep a close eye on the velocity vector on the HUD in relation to where the nose is pointing. Notice it's tendency to try to return to back to where it was going. Yes, it was a lot of fun to record :)

Oh, I forgot, there is no better demo of interia than taking up a fighter with drop tanks, get it into a honking climb, release the tanks, roll inverted and begin a slow pull. You'll beat the tanks down and can fly loose formation with them on a really good day :)

Thanks so much guys, I'll try the CRJ-200, then (since I've always liked the looks of it!) the MU-2 as my turboprop experience :) Appreciate the help....I continue to try to fiddle with yoke sensitivity settings...but I find, on flare in particular, that it's hard to "feel the inertia", even at slow airspeeds--where even with a sensitive joystick, if I apply a smooth back-pressure, I should not have the nose leap up on me :)Bill

Bill, I'd suggest making sure the 'realism' sliders are set to full realism and that you consider altering the response curves ever so slightly so that the elevator is less sensitive about the center. You can change from linear sensitivity to exponential along a curve. Basically, you can make it 'feel right'. I have no trouble flaring in a Piper Warrior in the sim. The controls are DEFINITELY lighter than the real plane, but once you adjust, the concepts are all identical to real flying.

Most XP designers use default gyration/inertia constants which give the wrong result. Try this http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?autocom=downloads&showfile=8870

Hi Guys, Was able to review the tutorials and then fly the payware CRJ-200, and all I can say is WOW! It definitely is a nice feel throughout the flight range, including flare, and flying a low-minimums IFR approach is SO much more forbidding in X-Plane than in FSX--and is great fun. At this point, I have great hopes for X plane 10, in terms of improving some environment/airport/lighting elements, because I'll definitely be happy flying the CRJ and other quality payware.Thanks for the helpBill