Johan...
OK, in answer to your question, the brakes are part of the new "BASIC" folder .XML that sets them when the tailhook is down. However, I anticipated this MIGHT happen, here's what you do:
In FSX\SIMOBJECTS\AIRPLANES\SludgeFA18_Basic and FX\PANEL\BASIC (and CS_FA18 and FX, if you have those installed) rename BASE.XML to BASE.XML.BAK, then rename BASE_2.XML to BASE.XML. What this will do is CANCEL the MLG brakes "trick" on touchdown and cat-shots. You'll still get the uptrim 2.0 on flaps down, gear down, and get the auto-up elevator on LAUNCHBAR HOLD EXTENDED, but you wont get any of the brakes "trick". I'm guessing you have brakes hooked up to your trigger and not on done thru rudder pedal toe brakes? I read a few problems areas with this and might just get rid of the "tricks" for now? Its why I release it to you guys first with that secondary .XML ready for quick renaming.
If more people have their Toe Brakes set to a trigger function or something other than actual toe brakes on rudder pedals, let me know, and I'll just send out the Base.XML minus the brakes "trick".
Unstable on approach? Lateral, side-to-side maneuvering? If so, tell me what its like. Also, its getting closer to real as you HAVE TO add a little power before turning to a real-world Hornet, as the LSO guide and everything I've read NATOPS-wise says one of the problems is that the Hornet "settles" on LineUp corrections. So IF its something more than that, and continues past your joystick re-cal, definately let me know. Or is it holding nose up on approach? I intentionally put 2.0 nose uptrim, so that its not entirely trimmed out... as id rather have you pulling a little nose up on approach, rather than nose down. If the "unstability" is still there after your re-cal and its more difficult to hold lineup, let me know.
Yeah, sorry bout the CSW thing. I've been having problems with CSW lately, and havent been able to get it working correctly again. Maybe once this gets these bugs ironed out, I'll work on a FSDT-only CSW release? Like I said, that cat-shot overspeed problem and subsequent "trick" I came up with delayed the release a week. I dont know when I can get CSW up and running again, but once I do and Im confident of WHY it failed, then I'll restart my work to incorporate that into the SludgeCombat, OK?
Still working on getting the MANUAL release out. Will keep you guys up on the status of that... keep the inputs coming... thanks Johan.
Later
Sludge