How do you use the rudder pedals?

You may want to adjust the sensitivity...or not move the pedals quite as much. The pedals control the nose wheel and the rudder. You use them in the air with the ailerons to change the direction of your a/c.

Some people use the ailerons only, in the air, but for more precision, using the rudder helps.

Oh and another thing, I find that while on the ground I have to push uncomfortably hard on my heels to stop the plane from toe-down braking. Is there any way to make it so that you have to real push down on your toe to brake?

Also what's the difference between "differential brakes" (I think that's what it's called) and just "brakes"? I assume "brakes" just stops the plane quicker?

Thanks for the reply CRASH GORDON.

Two follow up questions to your reply. 1) How do I adjust the sensitivities? 2) Does the yoke control the ailerons?

brakes are the brakes and differential brakes are one at a time,like one differential brake is either the left or the right main gear so it makes the plane turn a bit.Perfect for takeoff-landing correction while on the ground.

So differential brake is a brake only to one side? Like, say I was too far on the right of the runway, would I differential brake the left pedal to go more right and straighten up?

If you were on the right,you would have the left side brake to go left and correct,opposite if you were too much on the right side.

JTH, now that you have rudder pedals, go over the FS2004 lessons again and see what the rudder does. There is good advice and helpful diagrams there.

Basically, if you bank using the ailerons (the yoke controls those) the aircraft dips its wing into the turn and slowly starts "pointing" the nose into the turn too. However, inertia keeps the plane "side slipping" sort of. Which means that if you start a right turn at 300, your heading indicator may read 330 but your track might be 310 still. The turn is not efficient (or correct). To compensate for this, you apply some right rudder in a right turn.

How much rudder? Look under your inclinometer (the bank angle indicator, whether stand-alone or incorporated into other equipment). You will see a vertical "slot" with a ball inside it. When you start your uncoordinated (no rudder) turn the ball veers off. Applying rudder will move it towards the center. In order to execute a coordinated (correct) turn, the ball needs to stay centered all through it.

Did someone say they could fly a real plane? 😛

There are more uses for the rudder. A very important one is when landing in a heavy crosswind. The rudder will keep the aircraft on the right track, even if the nose is pointed off-runway (into the wind). You can use the rudders to sideslip if necessary and to cross the controls if - well, it is hardly ever necessary, but kind of fun, in the sim at least.

Now that you have pedals, experiment with various flight configurations, use wind and power and other control surfaces to have fun and become a better (virtual) pilot!

I see that Bindolaf has the subject well in hand. I'm not needed but allow me one quick hint that may help.

If the ball goes left, apply left rudder. Whichever way it goes, use rudder that direction. " Step on the ball" 🙂

Excellent, thanks you guys for sharing your words of wisdom as usual.

I now have a good grasp of how the pedals work and what you're meant to do with them so I'm going to go ahead and experiment around with using them. Assuming I like the yoke/pedals (which I'm sure I will) I will probably invest in the throttle quadrant sometime in the future. I know that's only really needed for flying jets but I have an ambition to move on to the big boys some day!

Actually come to think of it I do have one more question. How do I access the page where I set all the null zones to zero and all that? Thanks...

Go to Settings/Controls. You can get there from the main screen or once in the air by hitting Alt and selecting options.

One more thing, when you make a turn you will normally also have to use a little up elevator to maintain your altitude. A correct turn is the coordination of all three axis of the plane, roll, pitch and yaw.

Cool thanks 🙂