problem with aircraft control

[okieav8r]

I've been using Realflight 5 successfully on a Toshiba laptop computer for the last few years. The laptop is an Intel core i3 machine with 4 Gb memory and Nvidia GeForce 310M graphics. The simulator worked great until recently when airplanes that I fly started acting erratically in the roll axis. They randomly try to roll off to one side or the other. At best, the airplane is twitchy in the roll axis. Attempts to trim the plane do not help. If I access the channel mapping window, the blue bar in the roll axis window is bouncing around in the window erratically, while all the others are still. Once in a while, the airplane will fly fine, but this is rare anymore. The issue is a problem probably 95% of the time.

Is the problem likely with the Interlink controller, or is it likely something else? any help or advice would be appreciated.

[jeffpn]

Does the Iterlink also flutter in the Windows joystick calibration window? It may be faulty. Call tech support. They can help you.

http://gpsoftware.com/contacts.htm

[okieav8r]

Originally Posted by jeffpn

Does the Iterlink also flutter in the Windows joystick calibration window? It may be faulty. Call tech support. They can help you.

http://gpsoftware.com/contacts.htm

Yes it does Jeff. And when you look at the airplane on the ground, the ailerons are fluttering. I've also sent an email to support to see about a fix.

[jeffpn]

Originally Posted by okieav8r

I've also sent an email to support to see about a fix.

They are much easier to deal with by phone than by email.

Heat generally doesn't have anything to do with your issue. You can confirm this by running RF first thing when you boot up your computer, after it's been off for a couple hours. I think you'll still see your problem even when the laptop is cool.

[Fly_electric]

Yes, it sounds like the internal pot for the roll stick has started to wear out (or become dirty) and the contacts have become intermittent. That axis is heavily used during flight and you have been flying with that controller for years, so it all adds up as a likely cause. There are position sensors that will last virtually forever (such a optical), but for reasons of cost I suspect they use the old standby, potentiometers.

okieav8r, please give us a report on how it goes with tech support and a controller repair or replacement. Due to space limitations I pack up the controller when not in use, so I know sooner or later the wires in the USB cable near the controller could fail (but hopefully not for a long time), and it would be nice to know what the general repair/replacement policy is. It would have been better if the top of the controller had a built in USB socket so a standard off the shelf USB cable could be used rather than hard wiring it to the box, but that's the way they made it.

[Hab]

Started having the same problem with mine. Not with the ailerons, rather the elevator.
Same thing. Bar for the elevator showed it was "bouncing" after starting to feed
+ / up elevator, too about half way through it's travel.

Having the plane on the ground, it showed this erratic bouncing in the elevator.

Acts as if it were dead servo in an r/c. It does effect the landing qualities when flying in wind.

Contacted support. Bottom line, new transmitter for mine (an older interlink) out of the warranty period .....
was $65. They don't repair. Just send out a new one once they recieve yours. But, transmitter has to be registerd to the owner. ( Interlink serial #)
Haven't had the time to bother sending for one.

[okieav8r]

Originally Posted by Fly_electric

okieav8r, please give us a report on how it goes with tech support and a controller repair or replacement. Due to space limitations I pack up the controller when not in use, so I know sooner or later the wires in the USB cable near the controller could fail (but hopefully not for a long time), and it would be nice to know what the general repair/replacement policy is. It would have been better if the top of the controller had a built in USB socket so a standard off the shelf USB cable could be used rather than hard wiring it to the box, but that's the way they made it.

Tech support is going to replace the controller. I couldn't be happier.

[okieav8r]

Originally Posted by jeffpn

They are much easier to deal with by phone than by email.

Heat generally doesn't have anything to do with your issue. You can confirm this by running RF first thing when you boot up your computer, after it's been off for a couple hours. I think you'll still see your problem even when the laptop is cool.

I got an email from tech support 5 minutes after I sent my initial email to them outlining the problem. The matter is being taken care of and I am very happy with the result.

[jeffpn]

We're just customers here, like you. You have to call tech support.

[flexible]

Lap tops over heat on the sim. They do not get good air flow because of close enviroment. Add in a little dust. Set it on you're lap. The heat builds up, and things don't work as they should. It worked when it was new and clean. Blow air in all the orfices with compressed air. Allso try placeing a cold gel pack on it some where after you have cleaned it out.

[jeffpn]

My only suggestion other than tech support is to recalibrate your Interlink.

[Maj. Numbskully]

Please share what the problem was

[jeffpn]

Good to hear. I don't think I've ever gotten something other than an automated response from any company within 5 minutes.

[Fly_electric]

Originally Posted by jeffpn

Good to hear. I don't think I've ever gotten something other than an automated response from any company within 5 minutes.

Have seen it a few times. Smaller companies tend to have the better response as they are more motivated for helping customers. For them, your call , email, or sale is simply a larger percentage of their business. Not saying larger companies cannot be attentive, it's simply a larger percentage thing for smaller ones.
Actually, it's also not unlike the classroom: did we all learn better in a small or large one?

[jeffpn]

I have read here many times that email to GP goes unanswered. Phone calls have historically been the only effective way to get help. That is why I said what I said. If they've improved things, great. I've been around a little while.