"Marc" wrote in message
news:kPNfb.679792$YN5.538941@sccrnsc01...

I had two of those, and no problems with the bolts. The bolt itself is a
stainless steel standard piece of hardware -- type SBY, which can be
obtained at a hardware store. It is epoxied into the knob. The socket into
which the bolt fits is brass and pretty durable. I don't see anything
poorly
made about these parts, but they are easy to replace if they should go. In
any case, I would not judge a flight yoke by the bolts that hold it to the
desk, that is a pretty minor part.

It may be minor to you, but it's a major hassle when it becomes impossible
to attach the damned thing to the desk, and hardware isn't exactly rocket
science - I'll go elsewhere when a supplier can't get THAT part right.

I have held off getting the rudder pedals. Are they useful? Seems like a
lot
of money for something that doesn't get used too often. In a crosswind I
just land a little kilter -- unlike the real thing, there are no repair
bills for damaging the virtual main struts, at least not so far.

OK, now you've identified yourself. You're not a pilot, you're a gamer.

Sure, you can avoid all the hassle of control devices and just try to fly
with your keyboard. How realistic do you want it to be?

Real airplanes have rudder pedals. If you want realism, get rudder pedals.
If you don't care, check the box for autocontrol. Your choice.

Question, do any of the virtual airplanes accurately simulate a forward
slip
using the rudder pedal - including rapid loss of altitude, etc.?

Yes, to varying degrees, just like the real thing