[mikhael]

Its even more unusual than that. Its got nearly no throw and zero play. The stick doesn't move in the USAF version. A couple of european air forces actually opened up the throw so that the stick will actually move. For a long time serious 'pit builders thought the stick used a pressure sensor for deflection. Turns out that the USAF uses ridiculously strong springs and very sensitive senosrs, so that it only seems like there's no deflection. It gives you a very precise, though slightly unintuitive stick.

There's a few other fighters with side sticks, but not that many. It makes more sense on the side, in my mind. It reduces strain on the right shoulder and lets the pilot rest his arm on something stable for really precise control for things like in-air refueling. He's only having to move from the elbow or wrist, rather than from the shoulder.

[Xelion]

Your right mikhael.., my mistake. I was actually thinking of something I saw in the cockpit of a fighter jet in ID and an F/A-18 Hornet at a Airshow Display. Damn switches

[aldo_14]

Originally posted by mikhael
Its even more unusual than that. Its got nearly no throw and zero play. The stick doesn't move in the USAF version. A couple of european air forces actually opened up the throw so that the stick will actually move. For a long time serious 'pit builders thought the stick used a pressure sensor for deflection. Turns out that the USAF uses ridiculously strong springs and very sensitive senosrs, so that it only seems like there's no deflection. It gives you a very precise, though slightly unintuitive stick.

There's a few other fighters with side sticks, but not that many. It makes more sense on the side, in my mind. It reduces strain on the right shoulder and lets the pilot rest his arm on something stable for really precise control for things like in-air refueling. He's only having to move from the elbow or wrist, rather than from the shoulder.

I actually thought the Harrier had a side stick (as an aside), but i can't find a complete cockpit image to be sure.  It appears not, though...which seems odd as I was positive the harrier had some form of dual-stick system for the VTOL.  

As an aside http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafwittering/news02.htm (this amuses me for some reason)

[mikhael]

That's disgustingly cute.

[Unknown Target]

The Harrier has a central control stick, but that's all I know. The actual stick is still classified.
I sat in an actual Harrier cockpit, but it had the stick removed. However, it did have the opening in the center of the cockpit, not on the side.


Anyway, yes, an F-16 is unusual in that it has two control sticks.

Also, I'd go for a Sytek Cyborg 3D Gold. Tough as rock, and with enough buttons to boot

[mikhael]

Originally posted by Unknown Target
...enough buttons to boot

NO. SUCH. THING.

[Odyssey]

[color=cc9900]GET. A. KEYBOARD. IF. YOU. CARE. THAT. MUCH.
I. SHOULD. SPEAK. LIKE. THIS. FOR. A. DAY.[/color]

[mikhael]

I have a keyboard--but I notice a distinct lack of them in F16 cockpit. On the other hand, I notice a distinct lots of sticks and throttles with buttons in cockpits. There might be a reason for this--oh that's right. I listed the reasons up there.

See, I DO care that much. That's why I spend as much as I do on my HOTAS setup.