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#4526435 - 06/20/20 11:16 AM Rudder pedals for helicopters  
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Loke Offline
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I'm assuming this mus have been discussed in the past but I have spent some time searching the forums, and didn't find anything.

I haven't flown DCS much in the last few years, and I'm getting back into it. However, my old pedals broke and I need to get a new set.

I'm mostly flying helicopters (Ka-50 and Huey), so my primary requirement is that they work well for helicopters. I do fly some airplanes too, so I guess I'm going to need adjustable tension?

What are the recommended pedals to get? I'm not terribly budget-constrained, although cheaper is of course better.

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#4526441 - 06/20/20 12:09 PM Re: Rudder pedals for helicopters [Re: Loke]  
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Vaderini Offline
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For helicopters-only I would go for the VKB IV rudder pedals. I use the MFG Crosswinds but they are kind of overkill for helicopters. The VKB one is inspired by helicopter pedals and should be much more comfortable to use for helicopters, let alone cheaper and smaller as well.

#4526480 - 06/20/20 04:15 PM Re: Rudder pedals for helicopters [Re: Vaderini]  
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Loke Offline
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Thank you. Does it have adjustable tension? Also, do you know if the Crosswinds have that, and if so, if you can untension it all the way to make it good for helicopters?

#4526528 - 06/20/20 09:38 PM Re: Rudder pedals for helicopters [Re: Loke]  
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Vaderini Offline
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The VKB Rudder mk. IV has adjustable tension, although I haven't tried it out myself

The Crosswinds also have adjustable tension, although for the lightest setting (pretty much no tension) you would need a separate spring. I personally find the softest spring way too light for the DCS Huey, since the arms of the rudder are quite wide and the sensors even detect the slightest movement.

In any case, if you live in Europe: I'm selling my MFG and it also has the optional soft springs

#4527307 - 06/25/20 06:46 AM Re: Rudder pedals for helicopters [Re: Loke]  
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leaf_on_the_wind Offline
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I have the MFG's and I fly helicopters a lot in DCS, I bought the softer springs to go with them, the feel great and are easily adjusted



Ferengi Rule of acquisition #1 Once you have their money ... never give it back.

#4527575 - 06/26/20 03:17 PM Re: Rudder pedals for helicopters [Re: Vaderini]  
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Loke Offline
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Originally Posted by Vaderini
In any case, if you live in Europe: I'm selling my MFG and it also has the optional soft springs


Thanks for the information. I live in Singapore, and I doubt you'd be willing to ship it here.

I'm clearly going to pick one of the ones you have recommended in this thread. I just haven't decided yet.

Regards,
Elias

#4527576 - 06/26/20 03:20 PM Re: Rudder pedals for helicopters [Re: Vaderini]  
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Loke Offline
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I'm looking at the Crosswinds pedals on their site, and it's not clear from the pictures what it's made of. Is it plastic?

#4527646 - 06/27/20 01:54 AM Re: Rudder pedals for helicopters [Re: Loke]  
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Sokol1 Offline
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Not plastic, but composite material, Formica® like.

#4527666 - 06/27/20 06:31 AM Re: Rudder pedals for helicopters [Re: Loke]  
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Loke Offline
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Thanks everybody. I just ordered the Crosswinds. Hopefully it will be a good choice.

#4527701 - 06/27/20 04:40 PM Re: Rudder pedals for helicopters [Re: Loke]  
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Sokol1 Offline
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You can make MFG Crosswind a goo helicopter pedal with two mods.

- Loose spring and add a motorcycle steering damper. Damper will allow pedals keep position instead return to center.

https://www.reddit.com/r/HOTAS/comments/5m0p2o/mfg_crosswind_hydraulic_damper_mod/
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2045059
https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=258036


- Replace their floating foot rest, with "combat" foot rest, that allow use heels on floor.

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=277125&page=3

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=229861








#4529400 - 07/10/20 08:07 AM Re: Rudder pedals for helicopters [Re: Loke]  
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FlyingToaster Offline
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I have a fairly cheap pair of Saitek pedals, and they work really well. One crucial thing is that I removed the centring spring - with that in place there is a very strong centring force that makes helis a real pain; without it you can hold an offset easily.

#4529429 - 07/10/20 03:02 PM Re: Rudder pedals for helicopters [Re: Loke]  
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Sokol1 Offline
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Replika are developing "combat" foot rest for MFG Crosswind pedals, and support for (motorcycle steering) damper.

[Linked Image]

Including a "Huey".

[Linked Image]

#4529532 - 07/11/20 03:49 PM Re: Rudder pedals for helicopters [Re: Loke]  
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Viper1970 Offline
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Bavaria, near Munich
I use old Elite Rudder pedals, that I also have modified with differential brakes for airplanes. I have also removed this unrealistic self centering in the middle.

I used two springs inside the chassis, connected to each pedal-side, which have both an initial tension. This way the pedals do a center, but without this unrealistic "notch" in the middle. They are really smooth to use now.

I did something comparable to my DIY flightstick base. I connected four springs at the corners of the base, which are also connected to the Flightsticks axis. They are connected in a 45° upwards chevron from the base to where they connected to the axis. This gives the stick also a selfcentering without any unrealistic notch in the middle.

I'm happy with this setup for helicopter flying.

I'm still working at my collective, which isn't perfect at the moment. I have experimented with a counter weight and springs to held it in position if you leave your hands off, but this needs also a relatively high friction at the mounting point, which makes it not very precisely to control.


Last edited by Viper1970; 07/11/20 03:51 PM.

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