Push-Back....and how it really works in MSFS.

I am posting this because I've been flying MSFA since FS98, and I did NOT know this.

Jerry



The Official Default Pushback Control Instructions for MSFS
Contributed by Joe Glasper

Note: The instructions should work for the past and present (FSX) Editions of MSFS

For years I have had been frustrated with MSFS default pushback controls. I had searched the forums, asked fellow simmers, and searched Microsoft’s instructions for the answers to use them effectively and efficiently so I could back an aircraft to where I actually wanted it to go. But all I ever saw / read / heard was the typical Shift P then 1 or 2. to turn.

So, I set out to understand the controls and "how" they “really” work, Myself. (Surly If MS put it in the program, it was only a matter of figuring out the pushback path of the aircraft in relation with executing the key commands.)

So here it goes..

The Push back begins with Shift+P. Or a button on your controller, (which is my preferred method to initiate the pushback.) Then the 1 key, a turn to the back and left, or 2 key, a turn to the back and right. Of course, from the flightdeck and the keyboard layout, this makes sense 1 left 2 right. And the Keys (1 or 2) should simply be pressed and released, like a typical momentary switch.

So what’s new about that? You say? ...Nuttin. But what I have to tell you in this Document IS. And more importantly, I'll explain how to use the controls properly.

There are two factors to keep in mind. The distance between the Aircrafts' nose gear and main gear you are pushing back. And when to execute the turn based on the main gear's location.

Step one:

Calculate the distance between the nose gear and the main gear. And where the main gear will be when you want the turn to start.( Also this is when I open a window using the "[" key ,switch to the chase view, and use it like a remote camera because I'm in the flight deck going through the check list. )

Explained: The aircraft will turn when the nose gear has gotten to the point on the ground where the main gear WAS when you've pushed a key to turn after the aircraft has started rolling backwards. **Think out the path before pushing back as you would in the real world.**

Step Two:

Initiate pushback using your preferred method. Shift + P or a button on your controller if you've set one up to do so.

Step three:

Press the 1 or 2 key to turn. ( Remember to keep track of the gears location so you can accurately turn the Aircraft.) The turn will continue until it reaches a full 90 degrees, but not more then 90. You can stop the turn short of 90 degrees if you press the key you started the turn with. Or the "opposite Turn Key" (...I'll better explain that, later) Or if you stop the pushback altogether. And also remember just a quick press of the key to turn.

Step Four:

Press the Key you started the turn with to stop the turn, and to continue backing straight.

Now here are the important parts.

IF you interrupt the turn using a turn key before the aircraft has turned a full 90 degrees, the turn will reinitiate "itself" again, until it has reached a full 90 degree turn (this means the start of another full 90 degree turn). If you allow the full turn of 90 degrees the aircraft will pushback straight after that and not reinitiate another turn.

If you use the 2 Key to stop the turning to the left (and it will) the aircraft will turn to the RIGHT when you’ve traveled backwards the distance between the nose gear and the main gear.

Explained:

Say you start turning to the left with the 1 key. and Turn 20 degrees or so. But Press the 2 key to stop turning left, When you traveled back far enough (the distance between the gears) you’ll turn to the Right instead.

If you wish to pushback straight farther than the distance between the gears of the aircraft, without turning a full 90 degrees. Stop the pushback and restart it.Then turn again when you need to. With a little practice and you can very effectively back an aircraft all around an airport using the default keyboard commands.

A few other details .....

DON'T press shift + P again before pressing the turn keys (1 or 2) Just press it once to initiate the pushback. Then just 1 or 2 after that to turn.

You can pushback straight as far as you want to before pressing the directional keys. There seams to be no restriction as far as time or distance. Some aircraft have contact points that are incorrect. So not all aircraft are going to turn exactly as I have explained. If the contact points for the main gear are aft of the tires you see on the model. The turn will be executed back further than it should. Remember GA aircraft will roll back a much shorter distance then large aircraft will.

There is a good tutorial on adding Lights to where the contact points are actually placed by the modeler of the aircraft at the SIM Outhouse. (Thought I'd drop the name since it was a help to me.)

Sometimes it is needed to turn the aircraft starting from where it sits. For this I use a Free Add-on, FSCopilot 1.6 at MCDU's web site. There is a nice pushback gauge in the package where by you can pivot the AC where it sits for really tight spots. Although there may be other add-ons to fit the need of turning on the spot.

I hope this will help make the Pushback process easier for you . Thanks to all those who've helped me along in the journey of making MSFS a realistic and fun simming experience.

Since I have found no web page, forum, or directions in MSFS or on MS' web pages that reflects this methodology and detailed explanation. I hereby claim the prize of figuring out the default pushback control mystery, on this date August 24th 2007. WOOHOO

The controls have been available all along. I have no claim to have put them in place in the software. But I do claim the intellectual part of figuring out how to use them accurately and creating this Document.

Joe Glasper

Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
This Document may be enclosed with freeware packages BUT IT MAY NOT be changed in anyway.

Contributor's Note: I would also like to thank AVSIM for their help and patience in getting this published to you.
If you have any questions, read this again and practice practice practice. Other than that, there is no additional support.

AVSIM Review Editor's Comments: the above article is the property of the author. AVSIM claims no responsibility for its accuracy. All comments are requested to be sent to the author.

Thanks a million Jerry for the insight you have given us is regards to the ever mystifying pushback controls! You must have spent many an hour researching the subject, of which it shows in your detailed explanation. Even an old pistonhead like myself understands what to look for when pushing back.
Thanks again buddy!!

I don't take credit for this....I just found it and thought it was very informative into the inner workings of "Push Back" that I thought I would share.

Jerry

Nice find Jerry. I had not seen that before.

Thanks for posting this.

Naresh

Good Eye, Jerry! Very helpful! Easy read and easy to understand. thanks