Just Flight PA-28R Arrow III
Just Flight PA-28R Arrow III: The stabilator and anti-servo tab motivate reversible yoke resistance.
Aircraft and simulator scope
- Just Flight PA-28R Arrow III · Just Flight · X-Plane 12 · Add-on starting point
The simulator model and controls
Piper built the Cherokee family around an all-metal low-wing airframe, an unpressurised cabin and a single piston engine. Entry is through a right-side door reached from the wing. Engines, wing shapes and landing gear changed across the range.
This profile selects Just Flight PA-28R Arrow III for X-Plane 12.
How this profile feels
The stabilator and anti-servo tab motivate reversible yoke resistance. Spring resistance builds with the selected airspeed response. A separate aerodynamic term adds speed-dependent control load.
The tab supplies pitch trim; its cockpit control location varies by model. Valid trim provides the configured pressure relief. Autopilot following is off.
Controls and trim
PA-28 manuals describe cable controls and an all-moving stabilator with anti-servo/trim tab. Early Cherokee ceiling trim and later console trim identify different cockpits. Manual flaps, diesel/avgas powerplants and fixed/retractable gear retain model-specific scope.
The selected implementation
Just Flight’s Arrow uses the PA-28R retractable-gear configuration with cable controls and a stabilator anti-servo/trim tab.
About the values
The gains are normalized profile settings. They describe the chosen effect balance; hand force depends on the device and its output limits. IAS references are tuning values rather than operating limits. Physical acceptance of this revision remains pending.
Documentary review and sources
These decisions describe the documentary basis and remaining gaps for this revision. Aircraft documentation and a starting setting describe different kinds of evidence.
Aircraft and variant
InheritedThis profile selects Just Flight PA-28R Arrow III for X-Plane 12.
Flight controls
InheritedPA-28 manuals describe cable controls and an all-moving stabilator with anti-servo/trim tab. Early Cherokee ceiling trim and later console trim identify different cockpits. Manual flaps, diesel/avgas powerplants and fixed/retractable gear retain model-specific scope.
Trim
InheritedThe tab supplies pitch trim; its cockpit control location varies by model. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0.
Autopilot and stability
InheritedAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel.
Equipment
InheritedJust Flight’s Arrow uses the PA-28R retractable-gear configuration with cable controls and a stabilator anti-servo/trim tab.
Speeds and limits
InheritedThe indicated-speed references set the profile response scale; they are separate from aircraft operating limits.
Simulator integration
InheritedThe profile targets xplane12. Add-on-specific controls use only the supported references configured by this profile.
Force-feedback settings
InheritedThe settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
Starting settings and their rationale
These configured values are starting estimates. The explanations describe what each setting controls; physical validation appears separately below.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.74 | What it controls and whyThe stabilator and anti-servo tab motivate reversible yoke resistance. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 65 KIAS. store.x-plane.org ↗ www.foxflying.com ↗ store.x-plane.org ↗ aboveallaviation.squarespace.com ↗ store.x-plane.org ↗ www.coyoteflight.com ↗ store.x-plane.org ↗ salmonarmflyingclub.com ↗ www.carenado.com ↗ carprod01.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com ↗ www.carenado.com ↗ carprod01.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com ↗ downloads.justflight.com ↗ downloads.justflight.com ↗ downloads.justflight.com ↗ downloads.justflight.com ↗ www.simcoders.com ↗ www.simcoders.com ↗ www.simcoders.com ↗ www.vflyteair.com ↗ store.x-plane.org ↗ |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.8 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 135 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value135 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value65 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.72 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
All 44 starting settings and their rationale
The settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.74 | What it controls and whyThe stabilator and anti-servo tab motivate reversible yoke resistance. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 65 KIAS. store.x-plane.org ↗ www.foxflying.com ↗ store.x-plane.org ↗ aboveallaviation.squarespace.com ↗ store.x-plane.org ↗ www.coyoteflight.com ↗ store.x-plane.org ↗ salmonarmflyingclub.com ↗ www.carenado.com ↗ carprod01.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com ↗ www.carenado.com ↗ carprod01.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com ↗ downloads.justflight.com ↗ downloads.justflight.com ↗ downloads.justflight.com ↗ downloads.justflight.com ↗ www.simcoders.com ↗ www.simcoders.com ↗ www.simcoders.com ↗ www.vflyteair.com ↗ store.x-plane.org ↗ |
| Spring deadband | Starting value0.045 | What it controls and whySets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.8 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 135 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| QBlend Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it. |
| QSpring Minimum Factor | Starting value0.5 | What it controls and whySets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength. |
| QSpring Start Knots | Starting value8 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value65 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value135 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening gain | Starting value0.15 | What it controls and whyThe high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0.15. It strengthens the permitted spring response above 65 KIAS, with the squared-speed ratio capped at 5. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening limit | Starting value5 | What it controls and whyLimits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.72 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Elevator Authority | Starting value0.3 | What it controls and whyThe tab supplies pitch trim; its cockpit control location varies by model. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0. store.x-plane.org ↗ www.foxflying.com ↗ store.x-plane.org ↗ aboveallaviation.squarespace.com ↗ store.x-plane.org ↗ www.coyoteflight.com ↗ store.x-plane.org ↗ salmonarmflyingclub.com ↗ www.carenado.com ↗ carprod01.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com ↗ www.carenado.com ↗ carprod01.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com ↗ downloads.justflight.com ↗ downloads.justflight.com ↗ downloads.justflight.com ↗ downloads.justflight.com ↗ www.simcoders.com ↗ www.simcoders.com ↗ www.simcoders.com ↗ www.vflyteair.com ↗ store.x-plane.org ↗ |
| Aileron Authority | Starting value0 | What it controls and whyScales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response. |
| Force Trim Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyEnables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification. |
| GLoad Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it. |
| Rate Damping Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot follow authority | Starting value0.1 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Autopilot neutral hold strength | Starting value0.6 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions. |
| Gain | Starting value0.35 | What it controls and whySets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate. |
| Maximum flap index | Starting value3 | What it controls and whySets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3. |
| Minimum flap index | Starting value2 | What it controls and whySets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate. |
| Shaker Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment. |
| Stick shaker amplitude | Starting value0.5 | What it controls and whySets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.4 | What it controls and whySets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration. |
| Gain | Starting value0.25 | What it controls and whySets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact. |
| Gain | Starting value0.65 | What it controls and whySets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whySets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement. |
| Gain | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue. |
| Gain | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects. |
Limits and open questions
- Just Flight PA-28R Arrow III; xplane12. Previously observed titles and implementation identifiers are retained; installed matching remains deferred.
- Cable-operated manual yoke and all-moving stabilator with anti-servo/trim tab. Retain airspeed-dependent feel; no hydraulic primary-control boost.
- Pitch trim relief represents the stabilator tab. Rudder trim is a separate spring-recentring mechanism; no in-flight aileron trim authority.
- Installed avionics/autopilot options remain aircraft-owned; no selected-heading, navigation or annunciator value is a physical servo target. AP servo-follow and neutral hold remain disabled; engagement indicators are not force-demand signals.
- Manual 10/25/40-degree flap selection; movement cues use measured flap position. No stick shaker or hydraulic-failure cue. XP12 Arrow III with IO-360 and retractable gear; separate platform matching retained.
- 135 KIAS is an estimated feel reference, not cruise TAS or a certified limit. No invented Mach, VNE or weight scheduling.
- Read-only native telemetry for aircraft motion and accessory positions. Custom switches, display animations and mode lamps are not calibrated servo targets. No unverified LVars/datarefs or simulator writes.
- Spring 0.74; lateral scale 0.72; trim authorities 0.3/0; per-axis output cap 0.55. Editable engineering estimates, not measured hand forces. No body-rate torque, surface following or fabricated hydraulic-failure loads.
- New physical and installed-product checks deferred by owner. Existing separately recorded acceptance retains its original device, simulator, add-on and version limits. Source review does not broaden custom telemetry acceptance.
- Only actual accessory position changes drive movement texture; static drag and command-triggered kicks are disabled. Select and save an aircraft default when telemetry lacks a discriminating developer/configuration identity.
Physical validation
No physical force validation is recorded in this public catalogue for this revision. Documentary review and software checks do not establish how a particular device feels.



