Hi guys!

I've just grabbed this great boatplane and I must say, I've big (*big*) problems with it.

What I found unusual it's the flight model.. it seems to wave left and right, up and down.. 

Is it me? Am I missing something?

Thank you in advance.

I have to fess up.

i have the x aviation DC3 (which has a float version). I put livery on it and called it "The Canso" .  I fly that now when the Canso is called for as the Catalina and I agreed to disagree. So sorry no fix.

I get the feeling there is stuff a little screwy in 10.45 but I cannot define what it is. For instance trying to trim the Otter out after climb out is leading to huge porpoising after very minor change.

Apologies for only being able to offer sympathy and not assistance 

There have been changes to flight model in the 10.4 run that cause some rather awkward issues to a few craft. These issues can only be solved by the individual development teams, so it is in yours and everyones best interest to send messages to the devs about any issues. It is always helpful to check for anything on the Org and Flightsim.com, but in the case of the Canso I do believe that the torque changes are a part of the problem.

I cannot speak for HydroZ but I am certain that STMA is on top of the changes that may affect its craft, including the Otter, and all are almost certainly waiting for the big 10.5 release, which is slated to have so much stuff and changes that it will boggle our minds

Although I am certain you guys know this, it bears repeating that keeping and maintaining previous stable releases, especially ones that prove to be error-free for your experience, is a best practice, as we can always revert to those versions while we await further developments in the 'always beta' X-Plane run.

bc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr2v1AiTDTw

Hehe. ...and there you have it

bc

Thank you guys for your answers and confirmations.
I'll post here what I've already wrote in the catalina's support forum:

I've dedicated more time to this problem.

What happens is this.

Whenever I begin a turn the aircraft slips

Nothin strange you'd say, but it isn't what you'd call a normal slip, it's fast and very.. uhm.. substantial.

Leveling off after the turn, generates a similar slip on the other side.

Even working like a mad with the rudder I'm not able to contrast and make it flying coordinated.

Again, it seems unnatural (actually I'm sure it is ;)) and I think there's a problem that should be addressed.

Otherwise I'd tell that this plane cannot be used.

If you want, you'd could add your experience to the thread I created at x-plane.org

Thank you.

Nicola, I've just spent an hour with the Catalina, admittedly in 10.42, and can "sort of" replicate an issue similar if I turn my stability augmentation down to zero. I usually have it set at 50% in V10 on all axis.

Other than the regular bit of tail swinging that she does (even the V9 aircraft has some of it) - adverse yaw causality I believe- she flies okay for me as it stands.

Q: What are your settings for stab aug? Have you tried increasing them?

bc

Thank you for trying it bc.

I've usually my stab.augmentation set at 25%, but I've also tried 100% on the yaw axis.

I think I'll prepare a video to show the way it flies.

That would be helpful. After supper I'm going to try to get everything over to 10.45 - Internet is weak tonight but I'll try, and see if I can discern the problem with that version.

Joel

My observations with using the Catalina with XP v10.45 on my iMac:

I have all three "Easy Settings" (Engines, Hydraulics, Water Ops) enabled and both "Copilot Settings" disabled.  Sometimes it seems that the engine management is automated (where engine RPM automatically changes after I adjust the throttle), and sometimes not.  As I've noticed with a few other aircraft models, some software features do not activate properly if you load the aircraft after using another versus having it active and then rebooting X-Plane.

Regarding flight, I've experienced very pronounced slewing among all the axes, even when the autopilot is active and fine adjustments are made thereto.  I initially found the behavior very uncomfortable, but given enough time, the Cat will eventually "wobble" its way to desired course change inputs.  I chalk it up to the significant weight and unique aerodynamics of the airframe, as well as the apparent "voodoo code" the developers have implemented.

I have flown the Cat since XP-9 up to XP-10.45 and not noticed any difference with the flight characteristics. The Cat can be a bit unstable with side to side rocking at low speed and during landing on a runway. Other than that it performes very well. It also easily takes off from water with a full load unlike some other water ops act that just become fast boats.

Just to say that after many hours dedicated to this great plane, I can say that much of those problems where due to the pilot.. 

It needs precision and calm.. a lot of calm.

It needs a wise use of the rudders and you cannot chase the ball, or you'll lose the fight with it.

You must give her the respect you owe to a flying grandma.

IMHO there's still something broken in the flight model, but that's another story... nothing is perfect.

I've managed to land it on strips wide as my bed and lakes small as a paddle, and that's all I want, have fun and enjoy this beauty 

Thank you for your time and sorry if I have raised a non problem.

I hope that someone in my conditions can take advantage of this experience.

Blue skies to all of you my friends.

Thank you Nicola. Nothing to be sorry about. It does us all good to review our experiences against others' experiences in  aid of tweaking our own systems and settings to get the most out of them.

Happy flights

Joel

Just to throw some more in the mix, the Cat is interesting.  I have found (in 10.45) it best to pick a line, try to ignore the adverse yaw, and coax her where you want her to go.  If you chase the nose (or ball) you will go around.  The Cat is capable, she just requires some finesse.  Yes the flight dynamics could use a fix, but until then, enjoy her with all her quirks.