Short manual for the Il-18 panel... The FS2004 updated one to be exact.
1: If you want to play fair, disable the autopilot in aircraft.cfg. If you have it enabled, don't use the autopilot on the panel...
2: The autopilot drives the aircraft by joystick input. Disable force feedback if you don't want wrist injuries
3: Because of the above, the FS trim controls don't have influence on the autopilot.
Main panel
Flight Engineer panel. This one is normally visited 2 times: startup and shutdown
Navigator panel. press Shift-1 to get this one visible. Gyro needs manual adjustment!!! Most radio settings can be done in the cockpit too
Autopilot and manual trim indicators.
Correct startup sequence:
1: power on
2: select channels to control (pitch and/or heading)
3: wait until mode indicators go yellow
4: engage autopilot, indicators go green
5: select autopilot mode (heading OR nav and Pitch stabilize)
6: adjust manual trim until AP trim stays in the limits (no warning light)
RSBN and ADF popups
NAV1 and the selector. Follow instructions as stated. You won't need RSBN outside Russia, that one can be put in OFF position most of the time
The buttons above the RSBN main unit control a few popup screens. Most are available on other panel views too...
The most important checklist item: Gyro calibration.
If you fail to do this correctly, you will get lost.
Calibration procedure:
1: Switch E and D in up position
2: 3-position Selector in middle position.
3: Align the two arrows on gauge A using switch B, the NAV gauge heading indicator will turn too.
4: When the center position is done, put selector in right position, press and hold button C until they are aligned.
5: When that is done, put selector in left position, press and hold button C until they are aligned
6: Put switches E and D in Down position
Technical stuff about this: There are 3 gyros, one is the main one, the other 2 are slaved to this one. Thre is a magnetic compass with a electronic readout, this is fed to the 'M' arrow on gauge A. You will have to align the main gyro (center selector position) with the magnetic compass, so put the 'R' arrow over the 'M' arrow. When that is done, align the other 2 gyros by using the button 'C' which turns the electronic stuff to the same position as the main gyro.
I admit it's over the limit, but i had to keep it readable
