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Autopilot query

PostPosted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 2:27 pm
by microlight
Hi all.

I've taken to flying in Cessna C150s for low-and-slow - very relaxing. I have a question though, which I hope my chums out there can help me with.

I'm flying two different models: both with VCs. The most recent, the RanchoJEN C150 has the default avionics stack built into the VC, and it works fine. The other model I have is the fantastically-detailed 2007 model by the French team of Fran

Re: Autopilot query

PostPosted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:49 pm
by Groundbound1
I've noticed something that might be related to the last a/c you mentioned too. If I start the flight in that fancy 150, then switch to a different model, the AP of the second model is on by default. I'm not sure, but it seems like the plane made by the French designers, seems to use the autopilot function to add realism some how. For example, I've noticed that even when there is no wind, and the realism setting of the sim are set to custom, with the torque effect, gyro drift and everything else tuned off or disabled, the plane STILL pulls to the left on the take off roll. That's the only explanation I can think of.

Re: Autopilot query

PostPosted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:36 pm
by Nav
Microlight, you can 'fit an autopilot' to any aeroplane by calling up the 'aircraft.cfg' file.

Just scroll down to the 'autopilot' section (all FS9 aircraft, and 99% of downloads, have one, even if they don't have autopilots) and the first line will probably read:-

autopilot_available= 0

Change the '0' to a '1' and you have an autopilot. :)

No panel, of course, but if you look under 'Keys' you'll find keystrokes for most commands (like Ctrl-H for heading hold, Ctrl-Z for altitude, Ctrl-A for ILS approach hold, 'Z' for disengage, etc.).

Re: Autopilot query

PostPosted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 4:39 am
by microlight
Thanks for the responses, guys. Yes, GB, I've noticed the pull-left tendency, even after it's off the ground. It's responsive enough to easily bring back, though.

Nav, the first thing I did was to check that the cfg file contained that line! Here's the whole section from the French C150:

[autopilot]
autopilot_available=1
flight_director_available=0
default_vertical_speed=500.00000
autothrottle_available=0
pitch_takeoff_ga=8.00000
max_pitch=10.00000
max_pitch_acceleration=1.00000
max_pitch_velocity_lo_alt=2.00000
max_pitch_velocity_hi_alt=1.50000
max_pitch_velocity_lo_alt_breakpoint=20000.00000
max_pitch_velocity_hi_alt_breakpoint=28000.00000
max_bank=25.00000
max_bank_acceleration=1.80000
max_bank_velocity=3.00000
max_throttle_rate=0.10000
nav_proportional_control=9.00000
nav_integrator_control=0.25000
nav_derivative_control=0.00000
nav_integrator_boundary=2.50000
nav_derivative_boundary=0.00000
gs_proportional_control=9.52000
gs_integrator_control=0.26000
gs_derivative_control=0.00000
gs_integrator_boundary=0.70000
gs_derivative_boundary=0.00000
yaw_damper_gain=0.00000
autothrottle_arming_required=0
default_pitch_mode=0
default_bank_mode=0
use_no_default_bank=1
use_no_default_pitch=1
autothrottle_takeoff_ga=1.00000
autothrottle_max_rpm=90.00000

I'll delve into the .air file to see if there's anything unusual in there.

;)