Problems with autopilots

[bahbee]

In a number of the aircraft in my stable, the autopilot works exactly as expected - CRS, HDG, and IAS all increment by single units and ALT and VSPEED increment in hundreds. However, these same gauges placed in panels with other aircraft increment in 10's for CRS, HDG, and IAS and in 1000's for ALT and VSPEED. I use FS Panel Studio to design panels, and I've looked hard in both the aircraft.cfg and *.air files to try to find a solution to this, but can find nothing that seems relavent.

I'm pulling my hair out! Please help before I go bald!!!

[RollerBall]

This is very common when 'old' FS98/2000 panels are used in newer sims. I've found this very often because I'm not a fan of VCs and still prefer many of my 'classic' FS98/2000 2D panels.

There can be several reasons, ranging from the need to install 'old modules' in the cfg file that you have forgotten about through to there being incompatible gauges and even switches on the panel in question.

For example, gauges like 'gear wind noise'. I have also found that many older HGHB switches cause this problem, including even dummy switches and warning lights. When you remove them the panel works fine and you then either have to live without them or find newer replacements that do work. Almost all 'old' autopilots also have the same effect.

Finding where the problem is is an art form! The way I do it is to open up the panel.cfg file with Wordpad, select a large 'chunk' of gauges, copy them to clipboard, delete them and save the file. Then I run the sim and if the problem is still there I copy them back and remove another 'chunk'. Eventually the problem does go away so you know the offending switch or gauge is among the ones you've just removed. So you replace them and take a smaller chunk out than last time. Eventually you can home in the problem one(s).

But be warned, I have found in the past after scratching my head for hours that there were 2 switches or gauges (can't remember) in a panel, when one or the other was removed the panel worked fine so there appeared to be no problem switch/gauge. However, the problem only returned when BOTH of the switches or gauges were in the panel together!

So you can see there's no easy answer and tracking down a problem is really only for people who either know their way around a panel, or want to learn

Roger

PS by way of encouragement, I still use all but one of my classic FS98 panels after making the sort of changes I've mentioned so with a bit of effort it can be done. The 'problem' one was a much loved early 737 panel which had a great startup sequence involving 2 fuel switches. These were the root of the same problem we're talking about and I've never managed to find replacements that worked with the startup. The panel is usable but just isn't the same without it.

[bahbee]

Thanks. Many and mysterious are the ways of  MSFS! I'll give that a shot.

[bahbee]

Yup, that was it. There were two "Vapor Trails" activation gauges in the first Virtual Panel section that were messing up the autopilot. I got rid of them, and everything works fine, now. So, for those of you out there with this problem, the gauge doesn't even need to be active at the same time as the gauge that isn't working correctly. Thanks again, Rollerball!!

Grateful in Vermont

[garymbuska]

 I have had the same problem but dont usually have the patience that rollerball has I just replace the gauges that do not work with one that do. Or if it is reall a hassle I square file 13 the panel and look for another one.

[RollerBall]

[quote]

[garymbuska]

Rollerball
I comepletely agree with you on some of the old panels.
I have a B707 that has a old panel in it and I had to practley redesign the whole thing in order to get it work but I changed a lot of the bitmaps to help preserve the old look. It was a lot of work but in this case it was worth it. But some of the panels are so hap hazardly stuck together that it is just not worth the pain.

[bahbee]

Rollerball, I'm with you. The panel I was working on is for the FA-18C Hornet, and when completed will have Eric Marciano's HUD and Radar guages (for chasing those pesky 707's  ;D) as well as at least 3 different screens in the MFD's. The DVC's I've seen in some recent aircraft are getting pretty darned good, though, so I don't know how much longer I can hold out before I dive headfirst into those!

[RollerBall]

some of the panels are so hap hazardly stuck together that it is just not worth the pain

You've got it there Gary. But people like Eric Ernst and Frank Elfert produced masterpieces almost every one - may do still for all I know but I guess I don't spend as much time looking now as I used to.

Most of the ones that are chucked together are made by the sort of panel 'designers' I mentioned - you know, think it's just like a car dashboard and don't know about the 'T' layout. Just think they can plonk gauges anywhere to suit themselves.

I've just redone a B1 panel which was hopeless so I can use it for IFR flying and a while ago I redid a