Auto Throttle disconnect

[FS_Pilot]

When i disconnect the autopilot the auto throttle stays on. Is there a way to make the auto throttle disconnect automaticly when you disconnect the autopilot? Eg: when you press the Z key.

[jb2_86_uk]

This may not be the correct reason why, but I take it to mean the auto-throttle is a seperate unit to the autopilot. I find this very useful on manual approaches in heavies where you may want to bring her in manually from quite a way out but maintaining a steady speed without constantly adjusting the thottle to keep you between dropping out of the sky and having the FAA on ur a$$ for speeding! To turn autothrottle off, just flick the ATT switch at same time as the autopilot master switch

JonnyB

[beefhole]

Yup, the A/T is indeed a seperate system from the AP.  However, there is probably a complicated way to bind both of them to the same key, although I wouldn't recommend it.  Then, everytime you turn on the AP the A/T would come on and that could get annoying.  I would suggest just turning it off manually like the rest of us  ;D

[gn85]

Yes, from my experience, it's probably better that it doesn't disengage with the A/P.  What I usually do as I'm comin' in is set the mouse over the A/T switch and simply click when I want to take the throttle.  Of course I take the A/T off long before that.  

I'm sure if it really bothers you (or me for that matter) that you could set up a key command.  

Especially for the heavies, it's nice to keep it on.  For Lears however, I usually fly the bird entirely.

[wji]

In many FS9 panels, the Flight Director (FD) is the master control for speed (IAS or Mach). Simply turning off the outopilot has no effect on the FD


bill

[JRoc]

shift-r - I think that's the default key command, as I don't remember setting it as I rarely use it - but that's what it's assigned to here.

[BiggBaddWolf]

There have been a few times that I have forgot to disengage the A/T when coming in for an approach  :o

[beefhole]

In many FS9 panels, the Flight Director (FD) is the master control for speed (IAS or Mach). Simply turning off the outopilot has no effect on the FD

Umm.... no, not in my experience.  F/D is controlled by the AP command switch, and A/T has NOTHING to do with either of them.  Not on the default planels at least.

[Nexus]

In many FS9 panels, the Flight Director (FD) is the master control for speed (IAS or Mach). Simply turning off the outopilot has no effect on the FD


bill

Let me add a few things here.

In real life, the FD is NOT associated with any autothrottle system, nor is it designed to be. The only way the FD can be used to control speed is by obeying the pitch commands, and that is only valid in climbs and descents. You will see this in many smaller aircrafts and RJ's that does not come with thrust management.

...But this is just half the thruth, see the AP will work even if the FD is turned off, weird huh. Because what you turn off is the visible command bars, not the actual autoflight function. What really drives the AP is the FCC -flight control computer. The FCCs - usually there are more than one - positions the FD command bars and send control commands to the pitch and roll hydraulic servos (which operate the actual flight controls)

Saying that the FD is the master control for speed is not something I agree with, you can "shut off" the FD and still have speed maintained by either the A/T or the AP (by pitch commands)
The AP and FD are the so called AFDS (autopilot flight director system)...and the AFDS simply consists of two or more FCC's. The Auto Flight System (AFS) is the AFDS and the A/T...confusing eh

[beefhole]

Yes! Nexus is AGREEING with me for once!  :o  ;D

[FS_Pilot]

how did the FD Flight director get into this conversation? I am talking about the autothrottle {speed} button  on the autopilot panel stays on when you turn the autopilot off. Can it be set to turn off automaticly when you press the Z key to disconnect the autopilot?

[jb2_86_uk]

NO! you have to do it manually

[beefhole]

ctrl+r is a shortcut for A/T, just like z  ;D

[FS_Pilot]

Thank you all for your assistance