The roll rate is not a problem. I have a sturdy (CH) HOTAS with rudders. I've gone to extremes and even slammed the stick to the stops and I just can't keep up with the roll in a sharp break in either direction. Before I can catch the roll it has exceeded 90 degrees and when I do catch the roll it it rolls opposite thru 90 before settling. Maybe its a practice makes perfect kinda thing but I've not had this happen with other virtual jets, pay or free.
Do you have the stick's Sensitivity full right? And the Null Zones full left, except maybe the rudder?
Do you calibrate the stick with CH software of some sort, or do you use some kind of FSUIPC settings? It's best, if you have the payware version of FSUIPC, to ensure all the joystick settings are default, or not changed in any way. It's also best not to use any sort of CH software to align the joystick. Only use the SIM's Controls menu, the Calibrate button, to do the stick's calibration.
Finally, and this may shoot down two birds with one AIM-9X: Are you using the default, default flight? It's best to allow the default flight that came with the sim to load in to the Free Flight menu window, THEN select the location, and Aircraft.
At worst, use the default flight's plane, the trike in FSX, in cold-n-dark, Avionics ON, magnetos ON and, most important, Mixture full rich.
Once you have the default plane saved off that way in a saved flight, still use the sim's default, default flight, and once the Free Flight window loads up, load up the default plane in the cold-n-dark configuration saved flight you created.
If you prefer, you can use the default C-172 to establish the cold-n-dark configuration. Save it off as a flight, but not the default flight. Let the sim's default, default flight load up in the Free-flight window, the load the cold-n-dark C-172 you created. Once it's fully loaded into the world, switch to the Hornet.
To start, Battery ON, Generators ON, APU started, and allowed to stabilize at it's full speed. Select the Right engine start with the Engine Crank switch by the APU panel. You want the right engine first, because the HYD2 system, which operates the Parking Brake, among other things, is run off the Right AMAD. Watch the Engine page on an MFD, and when the N2 comes up to 20%, then crack the throttle out of the Cut-Off position to Ground idle. Notice, you need to wait for the APU to spin the engine up to 20% N2 before you open the throttle. Also note that it's at this point the reason for having the Mixture Full Rich on the cold-n-dark plane you first loaded becomes apparent. On jets, the Mixture is the Fuel Control. If the engines don't start spooling up once you open the throttle, try hitting CTRL+SHFT+F4. You may not have saved your cold-n-dark flight in the C-172, or whatever plane you chose, with the Mixture Full Rich.
Once the engine spools up to a stable 65% (approx), the Crank Switch will automatically go to OFF. You can then start the Left Engine. Once they are both running stably, hit the FCS Rest switch. Then continue with the Before Taxi checklist.
Yes, the Flaps switch in the VC is non-functional. It's just eye-candy, ATM. You need to use the F5-F8 buttons on your KB. F7 advances the flaps to 1/2, for Take-off for example, then to full, say for landing. F6 will decrease the flaps one setting. F5 is Full Up, and F8 is full down. Handy in the break to select full flaps quickly and easily.
You may also use joystick buttons, of course, to accomplish the same thing.
Roll Trim: There isn't a switch or knob modeled in the VC. In the real plane, it's the Hat Switch on the stick. In the sim, it's CTRL+NumPad 4 or 5 for left or right. Naturally, you can assign the Roll Trim to two buttons on your joystick.
Normally no Roll Trim is needed, though. Just make sure it's set to 0° before you load the Hornet up.
As far as your pitch Trim, check the MFD Checklist page, and make sure it's at 0° Nose Up/Down before you take off. I suspect that either your saved off default flight has the pitch trim set to some nose low degree, or you accidentally trim nose down manually during some phase of your ground checks or take-off procedure. You shouldn't need to touch the Pitch Trim, on the keyboard OR joystick, at any time. The Pitch Take-Off Trim button on the Rudder Trim knob SHOULD be the only pitch trim you ever need to use.
It's automatically set by the FCS when switching to PA mode. IE: Slowing to 250 KIAS, dropping the gear, and going to Full Flaps, while continuing to slow to about 135 KIAS, depending on the Plane's Gross Weight. The FCS will set the Pitch Trim to +8.1°, as displayed on the HUD.
Finally, make sure you wipe the controls just before you start your take-off roll. Last thing to do before you advance the throttles, or before the cat is triggered. This ensures nothing is stuck where it shouldn't be.
Oh, make absolutely certain your cold-n-dark saved flight has no form of Autopilot setting engaged. No FD, AT, Heading Hold, nothing. Not even the Yaw Damper.
Now my fingers are cramping. I hope all this helps somehow!!
Pat☺
