What the hell is wrong with the ####### autopilot!

[Ex-RoNiN]

Irregardless of model and irregardless of settings, at some point the autopilot will try climbing with a 40 degree bank angle or do other silly maneuvers!?!? >:( >:( >:(WHY!?!? Why isn't it able to simply follow the programmed instructions ::)

[beaky]

Not to doubt your competence, but every time I've had that sort of problem, it was because I hadn't set things up right. If it happens no matter what plane you're flying... well... triple-check yourself. Here's my personal list of AP errors:
#1 mistake: when using the Nav receiver for heading,  causing the AP to turn for the reciprocal radial instead of the one I want ("to"/"from" confusion).
#2: Selecting "Hdg" when it should be "Nav" or vice-versa.
#3:Selecting "Nav" when it should have been "GPS, and vice-versa"

And on a lighter note: "Irregardless" is "reredundant"...

[beefhole]

Ronin, chances are you set a VS that the plane couldn't handle for the given speed-eg. a 777 can't climb 3000fpm at 140kts.  In real life, it wouldn't allow itself to do this, but in FS the plane will continue to pitch up to try to achieve a VS of 3000 fpm even though it's not going fast enough.

[Ex-RoNiN]

Well, I always make sure I have enough speed, so set the airspeed at something between 250 and 300 for the climb, and I usually try climbing with 2000 to 2500.

In my eyes, a good autopilot would stick with these settings and max out the engines if it can't maintain the speed.

A bad autopilot drops power to 60% and tries to climb at a 50 degree angle.

Ironically, I haven't really had any problems with my headings...speed and esp. climbing are a problem.

Is there anything in the aircraft config that I can fix, because I think it just might be because it might be an FS2002 model

[beefhole]

In my eyes, a good autopilot would stick with these settings and max out the engines if it can't maintain the speed.

A bad autopilot drops power to 60% and tries to climb at a 50 degree angle.

FS autopilot SHOULD be maxing out thrust-in RL, in most modern airliners, when you have A/T engaged, it imposes thrust limiters on itself and won't give 100% maximum thrust, instead pitching down to avoid a stall (you really should NEVER use 100% available thrust unless it's an extreme emergency).

[Ex-RoNiN]

Mind you, I don't think its to do with my settings, because I use the autopilot in the same way irregardless of teh plane (climb and speed are adjusted for plane types) and, for example, the IDFG Airbusses are behaving just fine, whilst I had problems with an A300 (not IDFG) and also the POSKY A320.

[beefhole]

Oh, we're refering to freeware addon planes here... you should've clarified that  That explains everything.  They are NOTORIOUSLY unreliable.

[Antei]

lol

[Souichiro]

Soui's four step guide to using the autopilot....


Step 1: Turn plane right way up

Step 2: Climb to prefered altitude and bank towards the right heading.

Step 3: Get out ductape

Step 4: Tape everything stuck!



Now you can ease back and relax. There may be time for you to nap a little.

Have fun

[TwoLow]

I know I cannot use 2500 or 3000 climb setting in a large jet when I'm hitting 30,000 feet or better. Once I get up that high I keep it between 800 and 1500 or the speed just drops off too fast and I have the situation your having.

In fact, in a large jet I never exceed 1500 at any time. Anything above that and my 747 wants to drop speed and give up the second I'm not keeping a close eye.

[beefhole]

In fact, in a large jet I never exceed 1500 at any time. Anything above that and my 747 wants to drop speed and give up the second I'm not keeping a close eye.

Actually, larger the jet, faster the climb rate should be (I freakin KNOW there are exceptions, I'm just making a point)-747 has some power behind that thing-I routinely climb it at 3000 fpm below 10,000 ft, fully loaded-the 747s published climb speed is 340 kts (I don't buy it-I climb it at 310 kts).

[hsthompson]

I actually have no problem taking off its landing for me. I've turned on the visual flight path but once its over the airport it disappears! Nothing showing me what runway to use and when i do land it does not show me where to park at to end flight. What am i doing wrong?

[Nav]

hsthompson, that sounds fairly easy to solve - you don't mention Air Traffic Control. To contact ATC, press the ~ key (top right) and press the appropriate numbers.

Flying IFR (under full ATC control) ATC will give you the landing runway, and then give you courses, heights, and vectors to a point where you can intercept the runway line. Flying VFR, contact ATC at 30 miles out and they'll give you the runway - then use the map or the GPS screen to line yourself up.

Once on the ground, you'll be told to contact Ground Control and they'll give you the route to parking or gates. Press the relevant number and a pink path will show up for you to follow.

One of the early lessons in FS9 covers ATC procedures quite well. For more gen on landings, see:-

http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb/ ... 1111322151

Obviously the Visual Flight Path won't be visible when you're OVER the airport - it will be there all right, but it'll be directly below you!

[hsthompson]

Thansk Nav but i did a short flight and landed but still no info on where to park. I'm using a small Cessna and landing at a small airport. I received a runway but once on it i cleared myself and got no reply.

[beefhole]

Is it a controlled airport?  If there's no tower or ground frequency, then there's nobody to tell you where to go-you have to figure that out yourself, just like a real GA pilot