Why is this?

[Michael Carter]

Maybe I'm really clueless here, but why do some of us spend untold amounts of money on commercial panels, PM software, hundreds of dollars on interface cards and other hardware...

Only to end up with a CH or Saitek yoke and throttle sitting amidst all of this high-end electronics, software, and equipment?

I really don't understand this. The yoke and throttle are two of the most important controls in the aircraft and I see these beautifully built cockpits that you couldn't tell from something at Flight Safety International until you look at the flight controls and throttle.

I tend to think of these two items as must-haves, even if your panel is not up, or all of the electronics are quite interfaced. After all, this is what you use to fly the aircraft.

To make a cockpit as real as it gets if you are spending thousands on the rest of the cockpit, doesn't it make sense that the flight controls be as realistic as the rest?

Just something that crossed my mind.

Opinions or thoughts? Reasons?

[spitfire9]

I agree 100% .

As a pilot in R/L I always like the feel of the yoke and rudders etc to be as close as possible to the real thing.

[737NUT]

I am with you 100%!!!!!! I see it over and over in the online pictures. That is the FIRST comment my friends had when they flew my real 737 after using my old CH yoke hacked onto a PVC pipe. The weight of the yoke and clm made it seem more realistic and easier to fly. I used to say, it should feel real because it is! LOL Point is, you are right, spend the money on a good control system first. At a minimum, attach a yoke to some pipe like you did. This is how I feel things rate on importance, Yoke, TQ, MCP,CDU(if flying the type), rudder pedals, MIP, avionics,Overhead.

[Michael Carter]

I agree 100% .

As a pilot in R/L I always like the feel of the yoke and rudders etc to be as close as possible to the real thing.

Maybe you're right. It might be a pilot thing.

[Tomlin]

Because some people hit a financial wall and cannot move forward for a bit. Some people like the CH Yoke, and some have no choice. I would be willing to even go as far to say that some people dont care...the CH Yoke definately meets the 85% rule.

That's the best answers I can think of.

[Michael Carter]

But don't you think for something as basic as flight controls that those items would be higher up on the list than say the overhead or radio stack?

[ivar hestnes]

But don't you think for something as basic as flight controls that those items would be higher up on the list than say the overhead or radio stack?

Not really I think, because with a joystick or saitek/yoke you actually can use the flight controls.

Most people want as much functionality as possible as fast as possible. Thats why many people have all the other items in the cockpit at a higher priority than realistic appearing flight controls. That goes for me aswell

But as you say, realistic appearing flight controls is very important for the complete result. And I guess most people want it badly

I have now functioning MIP, overhead, CDU and some radios.

Throttle is in place now.

Will move forward to yoke/pedals and tiller very soon. That is the next to do in my setup. After I build the interior

[andarlite]

Most people want as much functionality as possible as fast as possible. Thats why many people have all the other items in the cockpit at a higher priority than realistic appearing flight controls. That goes for me aswell

But as you say, realistic appearing flight controls is very important for the complete result. And I guess most people want it badly

I agree with this completely. Back before I even considered a cockpit, I got a CH yoke and throttle because I wanted to fly. Then I decided it would be nice to have a cockpit. If I were then to blow a couple of thousand $ for a real yoke and throttle, I wouldn't have any money to start the cockpit for another year or so. I would rather spend the money to get as much of the cockpit functionality going as quickly as possible.

Regards,
Henry

[Michael Carter]

I think that may be part of the thinking behind this. Some don't consider the realistic controls as part of the cockpit and would rather have the panels up first.

Nothing wrong with that. I asked for reasons and that's what I've gotten.

Thanks for everyone's input.

[AndyT]

When you first start, you are flying a desktop and one day you decide to get a little more realistic. So you get a yoke and pedals. WOW you think, how much better this is! Then a bit later you decide you want some switches because you already have a yoke and pedals. So you get a peice orr two of GoFlight or maybe Desktop Aviator, or something homebuilt. Then you stumble on MyCockpit and think, Ok, I gotta have it all! So you pick up with what you don't have and build from there. Once you get the MIP and overhead finished, you start looking at better controls.

They were first on the list, and they are last on the list.