The Importance of Control Touch in flying and some thoughts on Dry Clutch | DCS World AH-64D

This video went through several iterations while I was filming so it may seem a bit disjointed. Overall though the point is to examine both control touch as well as some pitfalls and positives from using a Dry Clutch set up for DCS Helicopters.

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Hardware:
intel core i9-13900k, 64GM RAM, Zotac 4090 GPU
Joystick: VKB Gunfighter III with 20cm extension
Pedals: Virpil ACE
Throttle: Virpil Mongoose 3

[MattWagner]

Good stuff, thanks, Casmo. We have some new FM/SCAS improvements coming very soon.

[twifosp]

Good video! The other problem with dry clutch is how long it takes to transition back to fixed wing aircraft. If someone would make a base where you could toggle it on or off with an external switch without taking it apart, that would be a game changer.

[prichardgs]

Practice? Come on Casmo! I appreciate the input tips. I had mine set in the 10 range-frequent over controller in a panic situation. Then ground kisser.

[Niko-qssl]

Hey Casmo. Just wanted to quickly chime in, in case by some offhand you get to read this. Nyogel 767A will solve the issues you are describing. I have the WinWing SuperLibra with extensions, similar setup to yours. The grease is thick and consistent enough to make it feel like some of the real helicopters out there. The problem with dry clutches is stiction and inconsistent force requirements to overcome it and then the decrease of the required force to continue the input. This solves it. Give her a whirl, you won't regret it. Thank you for the videos and all your efforts

[ingemarlundgren]

i have a Virpil cm3 with 20cm extension with dry clutch (dead stick) and can use the hold modes just fine. You just need to use trim first and set it to "Joystick Without Springs and FFB" which was specifically designed for this. You will not feel any effect when you press trim but something happens to stabilize things a bit and also the hold modes start working.

[thorstenh]

Good summary ...i Like the Cam View ..checking your Input helps alot. Thought you are using the mongoost...😮

[octanejimmy]

Crotch Cam, best cam.... Ty from us ground pounders lol. Thanks for the video.

[PluckyUnderdog]

Good video, also good to hear you're involved with the Kiowa testing.

I watched your interview with Mover that you did a while a go, earlier today, very fascinating to learn more about your background. I'm not American, I'm British but I thank you for your service and am always humbled in the presence of people who flew military aircraft for their country, being obsessed with military aviation. Particularly the Apache, and using the IHADSS. Especially at night with the PNVS, that must've been taxing.

[TheSkipjack]

I've been pondering how to explain to people how to be smooth with inputs, for me I think the revelation was after switching to a Virpil setup (and especially after getting the 20cm manhood compensator for it). Thinking about inputs in terms of pressure rather than movements might make it easier to understand how to handle the stick.
The good ole mantra of "the best pilots move the controls the least" also diminishes tendencies to PIO by making mayonnaise with the controls while hovering or refuelling.

[TheGalahad]

This is something I learnt very quickly (although not before smashing several Apaches to bits...): small corrections work waaay better than moving the stick all around. However, I still struggle with this fantastic beast and am really amazed at how smoothly you expert people fly it!

[ryanw]

With Crotch Cam! That was the laugh I needed today

[mr_beezlebub]

This looks cool as hell. Maybe I should get DCS

[metaldetector]

Thanks ! I have no idea if the FM is realistic but i find the ka50 to be the easiest helo and most stable to fly.Those 20% stabilizers work just great.

[hidayatoceandar]

Small movement until one SA-15 missile coming at you lol

[Kevin-sgxc]

I have the exact same stick and I didn't know I could accomplish that with the clutches. Thanks for showing me. Though, I will probably leave it self centering because I fly fixed wing as well and don't want to be constantly messing with the clutches. I need to get a collective at some point because I'm using the F18 Winwing throttle as a collective. The movements are so small for a large increase in collective pitch.

[Hidden-Force]

I had a friend who flew Hueys in Vietnam and he told me that the (top of the) stick doesn't (typically) move more than the diameter of a dime. I was incredulous, but I've always kept that in mind ever since. Now am I able to keep stick movements to within a dime? HA!

[PercentAllAmericanMan]

You have made my day. I assumed that my stick throw was not enough so I set a larger curve. I have been fighting with the Apache since day one. I do not like the dry clutch thingy. I have a Virpil Warbird with the 75mm extension with my Hornet grip. Had a WW Orion 2 Stick. It broke. I also have the WinWing Ka-50 collective with extension. Would love to send you a picture of my pit. Thanks again. AOC(AW)retired.

[OzDeaDMeaT]

i think the extension would make a difference to the amount of movement as well. Thnx for the vid m8

[Honosuseri]

Appreciate all the content you do Casmo! I've been doing this since day 1 with the Apache. I have VKB's Gladiator NXT EVO a cheaper flight stick, which also has the dry clutch mechanism. In the early days I don't think the SCAS and hold modes were properly implemented in DCS. So I preferred using the dry clutch than constantly trimming but now with the SCAS it seems to want to be trimmed by design.

Hopefully now you've drawn attention to this ED can do some patches and improvements. Keep up the great work!

[ImpendingJoker]

With my Saitek X56 Rhino, I have the lightest spring that it comes with installed, then I have made it even lighter by using two zip ties to compress the spring a little bit. This really helps with micro movements as I don't have to fight the spring to make inputs. I think that the heavier springs are good for WWII aircraft but for modern aircraft with hydraulically boosted flight controls and fly by wire that the light springs are way better.