Uncommanded rudder kick problem solved

MV8 · Traniee Pilot Joined: Jul 28, 2008 Posts: 1

I have the Saitek controls with twist rudder control. I have had problems with intermittent, uncommanded rudder kick causing the aircraft to turn right. I have found it to be a common problem through searches of various forums through Google. It is frequently attributed to pilot error, winds, calibration of the stick, or a dirty potentionmeter in the stick.

Looking at the tail in external view, the rudder can be seen pivoting to the right suddenly. Slow inputs will deflect the rudder as commanded, but once the input stabilizes at one position, the rudder kicks to the right.

Maximizing null in joystick calibration/dead zone and/or general/nullzones has no effect.

Cleaning the potentionmeter has no effect either. It is burried in the stick handle where dust would be difficult to reach.

The problem is the rotary switch on the side of the throttle quadrant affects the twist rudder input, despite the rotary switch being unassigned. The switch has to be fully counterclockwise. I could turn the problem off and on through movement of the rotary switch while watching the rudder.

I have not found info about this anywhere on the web using Google. Sure, a person could have other problems but this one is easily verified and corrected.

I've had my Saitek for a couple years. It's never been dropped or been abused, so it is highly unlikely that my control is the only one out there with this issue.