Mastering Your Flight: AVA Base Configuration Tutorial

[@aquamich129]

As a Virpil user, I must confess that changing the whole springs and cams in 5 min with a cheap allen key is impressive!! I am really looking forward to have someone around buying it for test! inyrigued about their upcoming stuff and grips!

[@Vortex31415]

I sold my Virpil kit; it just didn't live up to the hype. The AVA actually looks good.

[@LuisFelipy]

But the plastic nut guimbal remains...

@@LuisFelipy What is the problem exactly? I never heard about any problem with this part. 🤔

[@LuisFelipy]

It wears out with years of use, sometimes it breaks because people use some poor quality extensions or apply too much force.

@@LuisFelipy Do you have some number, idea of how many cases per unit produced presents this issue?

[@markps97]

Happy for Thrustmaster for finally modernizing their lineup. That was what I'm wishing for some years ago.

[@mikegoldman9023]

Very happy with mine!

[@FlightSimRedArrows]

Very flush base and the fact its so easy to change things in such a short space of time is... interesting! I actually love this...

[@CptCanada]

This looks very interesting! Love the customizable options, very important for those who fly civil and military jets! Great job guys.

[@jaromirandel543]

Hve you ever heard about Virpil or VKB or Winwing?

[@tenevas666]

@@jaromirandel543 Oui ...et surtout de "Real Simulator " qui est un produit incroyable qui reproduit véritablement le stick du F16

[@XP72official]

Wow, so we’ve reached a new level of customization for flight sim hardware 😮. Great work guys, keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in flight simming.

[@jaromirandel543]

Not very new. Vipril, Winwing and VKB have this and better for almost 10 years.

[@jaromirandel543]

Also those offers adjustable soft clutch dampeners. If you want, you can remove springs and use dampeners only. Which is great for helicopters. Thrustmaster simply fell asleep. And now it has finally offered something that matches the quality of its strong competition.

[@aquamich129]

@@jaromirandel543 lol 10 years! come on, more 6 or 7 years tops! I have a Virpil Warbrd for some years but these company started to exist while Thrustmaster was already here rockin' with the hog

[@jaromirandel543]

@@aquamich129 Virpil started as modder. First they had released T-50 grip as addon for Warthog base. Later they made their first base and T-50 grip with analougue brake. I still own one of the first ever producet T50 CM1 bases. Serial number 000153

[@aquamich129]

​@jaromirandel543 that is the issue. They operated as molders selling prototypes for a long time. It's only from the first warbrd which I own that they became serious. Now their nenesis is more winwing

[@BluGames]

You are a natural on camera! lol This base looks good! but more importantly it feels great!

[@moiluck]

Very well done. Thanks for listening to the comunity and making such a great quality product. I can’t wait for trying my warthog grip on that awesome mechanical base.

[@javigtc2]

we need FFB and extensions

[@testthepest6259]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqXKlmSJfLufsKM

[@i7rooper]

Great work, TM! One question: Is the black part (where the stick is screwed on) plastic?

[@fixitman2174]

They stated the only difference between Warthog and AVA is the customization. Based on that statement, the visuals, and the lack of an answer from anyone, I'm convinced it's plastic. I won't be wasting my money to find out.

[@sleveille4]

it's metal with black coating

[@elektronischermeister]

Next: Make AVA base with FFB

[@markps97]

@@NATO_BelieverForce feedback

[@Bloboii]

@@markps97ooo 1000USD

[@KayoMichiels]

@@NATO_Believer Yeah, it's very rare to find it because of a patent troll...

[@testthepest6259]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqXKlmSJfLufsKM 35nm

[@zsoltmolnar1143]

@@KayoMichielsthose patents expired already

[@RicheUK]

I’m waiting patiently to see what you come up with to simulate a cyclic pitch control

[@cutlass6332]

Without clutches that might be tricky, unless the damper will help

[@MCP2002]

I would pre-order, but it really depends on what grips TM will have in the future. B8 for Phantom, Kiowa grip, Apache grip? I'd pre-order asap.

[@tomcatvrkalisz820]

What about extension to grip and mount to desktop for in between legs mount?

[@navyao]

I have a Virpil F-14 stick on the original Thrustmaster base. Can I buy the AVA base and still use the Virpil stick?

[@cutlass6332]

Helicopter grips !

[@ColinDyckes]

My AVA base is due to arrive in 5 days. REALLY looking forward to this upgrade. The existing Warthog base works perfectly with a stick extension to overcome plastic to plastic stiction, but this will overcome that completely using metal cams and ballraces, plus add customisation cam and spring customisation.

[@ptmavic8995]

So what do you think so far?

[@ColinDyckes]

@@ptmavic8995 VERY impressed! I changed the springs to the medium ones supplied and use them at near minimum tension. That pretty much matches the standard base with a 6 inch extension in both feel and centre 'bounce' but with zero stiction. The 'bounce' isn't an issue because you should never just let go of the stick except at centre. The only thing that would improve it would be RC Car type dampers on the cams (I'm not sure how TM's variable dampers will work when available). Check your existing grip first to make sure you don't have movement between the handle and shaft in the pitch axis. If you do then a few wraps of PTFE plumbers tape might work but I added some JB Weld to the shaft. I had that issue on my F18 grip but the A10 grip was OK.

[@tenevas666]

When the product is released, will there be bases to put on the desk and to target the product there? or does this not exist when the product is released and sold next

[@Guardian179]

We need to be able to adjust the stick angle. The 0°, straight forward stick is good for side stick setups, but you need a ~15° offset for an ergonomic center stick setup. You also need a slight forward tilt on side stick for wrist alignment. Cams and springs are cool, but it's ergonomic adjustments I'm really interested in to be able to quickly and easily swap from center stick to side stick.

[@jaromirandel543]

There is adapter by which you can set offset.

[@jaromirandel543]

Actually they came too late. Because most people I know already have Virpil or Winwing or VKB which have all those features + adjustable dampening.

[@Guardian179]

@@jaromirandel543 I've been running a Virpil base with my TM Warthog for a couple years now because it's got all the adjustability. Stick pitch angle offset is easy enough to get when mounting a stick, but the center stick offset is what I really like, since I primarily fly center stick.

[@Sundowner111]

@@jaromirandel543 dampening is not done well in any of those, I will keep my eye on the AVA system if as mentioned some sort of dampeners will come for it. Because dampening by friction is not very good, and we also had it in TM products for a very long time now (TM Cougar throttle had that).

[@aquamich129]

​@Sundowner111 dampening for what purpose? I hate the sticktion from clutch. For heli the clutch are really adding a lot of resistance which decrease the precision. I wonder what Ava has for that

[@Jo3-Gillian]

@THRUSTMASTERofficial Gib ambidextrous joystick or one for the right hand and another for the left, with lots of buttons and twists that can be locked for space simulation ! A bit like the Virpil joystick, get ready for the release of Roberts Space Industrie's Squadron 42 !

[@TrueBlade-1889]

So when are new sticks coming ? It's been 6 months. Would like some clicky buttons. The F18 and F16 sticks have very mushy buttons... like the 15-year-old Warthog stick.

[@artsolano6762]

Can we get a base from Thrustmaster supporting Z access twist sticks and will Thrustmaster offer a stick with twist?

[@ptmavic8995]

If you can afford the higher-end Thrustmasters, why haven't you spent some money on rudder pedals? Real aircraft don't use twist sticks to control the rudder.

[@artsolano6762]

@@ptmavic8995 Although I do like vintage WW2 flight sims, I’m coming from the Space Sim market. I need 4D in a stick. The rudder controls don’t give me the same level of control . Space sims users are going more and more with a dual stick setup not hotas. If Thrustmaster wants to compete in this market segment, it needs a left stick and z axis support.

[@mr.u3078]

why are you not attacking the space sim market with left stick options and twist functionality? it should be obvious

[@thomasnoack5680]

Could it be mount on the „old“ Platform for integration at sim cockpits?

[@THRUSTMASTERofficial]

There are different mounting options available and sold separately. If you are referring to the warthog plate, it is compatible.

[@ColinDyckes]

Received the AVA base today. Initial impressions are of a weighty well built item, BUT my unit has a noticeable 'click or clonk' at each end of a central deadzone in the pitch axis. Roll axis is perfect with no physical deadzone movement. Edit: On taking the top off and checking the mechanism the cams seem to work perfectly. My issue seems to be play between my FA18 grip and the shaft down to the connector, but only in the pitch axis. The grip hasn't had all that much use, though bought a good while back, and the AVA base revealed the 'slop'. I need to try to fix that first before I use the AVA base or it will drive me mad 😢 Edit 2: Disassembled the grip and noticed the connection shaft doesn't have positive location in the body of the grip. Ordered some metal filled epoxy to glue the shaft into one side of the grip. TM: I'm afraid the stiffer base exposes a weakness in your grip design in the pitch axis :(

[@sebjvr561]

same problem with mine and the legacy warthog stick... 🙁awful noise inside

[@ColinDyckes]

@@sebjvr561 I dug out the Warthog stick and that was OK. I think the issue is one of tolerances between the diecast parts. If too loose then pitch axis is only held by friction between the two grip halves. I noticed my Warthog grip centre post had been ground slightly on the roll axis sides, presumably as it was found to be too thick during assembly. A wrap of ptfe tape would possibly suffice but I'm going the JB Weld route and adding thickness and location.

[@rapidrapid01]

I'm in, they had to follow the rest.

[@MrPezzaaa]

so does it mount to desk mounts like the warthog

[@THRUSTMASTERofficial]

There are different mounting options available and sold separately

[@joshfredr7846]

is it for an airbus stick as well ?

[@THRUSTMASTERofficial]

We'll be announcing further grips, extensions and add-ons for the AVA range at a later date.

[@stevechopping3021]

@@THRUSTMASTERofficial Is there any hope for MFCD bezels for the warthog like the Cougar ones

[@tenevas666]

Il était temps… Thrusmaster était vraiment un bon, mais très vieux produit que beaucoup de marques comme Vipril et surtout "Real Simulator" qui est le TOP des produits pour le F16. Mais j'attends de voir avec cette base AVA....effectivement manque encore et toujours le retour de force dans un produit comme cela ...

[@stiggywiggy5594]

Plastic isn't a problem unless it's a wear n tear part.

[@MAXsenna00]

Ever opened a Warthog to grease it?

[@martynfaller8252]

I won't hold my breath for the extra grips, springs and dampers, maybe check back in a few years

[@jklee3339]

fssb please.....

[@MsTheCops]

I just got an AVA delivered today ...next day service ...got here in 24 hours. I'm looking forward to setting it up, but I have questions. What about the "dampers"? I didn't get them. My rig is set up for helicopters with a floor mounted Warthog stick base & a 250 mm (about 11 inch) extension that is off set back toward the pilot. It is a replica from the MD-500 heli. The weight of the Viper grip & leverage of the extension causes it to be floppy ...very little resistance. The Warthog base is not adjustable & it comes with a 20 degrees limit plate or "mask" that allows almost too much travel. The AVA smallest mask is 30 degrees. This for sure will allow too much travel at the top of the grip. I will need a 20 or even 16 degrees mask & I hope max spring tension will cure the floppiness. I understand that the dampers help in this regard. They were on the parts sheet ...but were not included. I will wait before ripping my rig apart & trying the AVA ...I'm certain it needs a smaller mask. Where can I get these? You failed to mention the dampers ...what about those??? What do they do exactly & where & when can I order them?

[@THRUSTMASTERofficial]

Hey, if you think something is missing do not hesitate to contact our tech support team here: support.thrustmaster.com/en/contact-en/

[@MsTheCops]

@@THRUSTMASTERofficial They were not missing ...lol ...they WERE installed in the base. My mistake. I simply got ahead of myself & was wrong about the mask as well. I installed the small mask & the deflection is perfect. (I use a long extension) The AVA base is simply a great product ...I had a Warthog & the improvement is vast. I think it could use stronger springs ...are there others coming I wonder?

[@fastfed]

Forcefeed back is coming guys, i get this is probably a great base, but FF bases will take over the sim market like nothing before! hope you all have that in the works

[@slvrstanggt]

Missing FFB

[@Scotters1000]

I don't get it. Who would want to do all that work every time you want to fly a different plane or sim? I already own a Warthog stick base. Why not save up for the FSSB Mk2 force mod? If this was a force mod stick at a competitive price, then this would make more sense.

[@boysen01]

Would you say that the default configuration mimics the resistance of the current Warthog base. I prefer Warthog-level resistance so I wouldn't want it looser than that

[@hornetj3777]

Why isn't this Xbox compatible.

[@zsoltmolnar1143]

Do FF now!!!

[@MAXsenna00]

I still see plastic parts. Sitting this one out until there are no more. Interesting though!

[@jaromirandel543]

Better outer plastic than inner plastic. Even my Virpil has plastic parts. And it is the best in market.

[@PaddyPatrone]

@@jaromirandel543 Plastic on virpil internals? I had the WarBRD and now the WarBRD D and there is no plastic in there. What Base do you have?

[@jaromirandel543]

@@PaddyPatrone Moongoos T-50 CM1. If you mean the plastic center, I don't care. Still there are ball bearings, cams, e.t.c... This small part does not matter.

[@aapje]

Real airplanes use plastic for their sticks. Metal is only important for the wear parts.

[@MAXsenna00]

@@jaromirandel543 Point being that the piece you stick the grip to, looks just like that Warthog one. And that contraption will develop play. In case you didn't know.

[@bradule1980]

Just buy Virpil CM3 not this...