DC-3 Autopilot

[RacingLad]

Can anyone show me how to operate the autopilot of the DC-3 in terms of heading and maintaining altitude...

Saludos!

[Brett_Henderson]

The DC3 doesn't have an altitude hold..  it has an attitude hold... i.e.  pitch hold. MSFS tries to replicate this as a vertical speed hold.

This is adjusted on the autopilot part that resembles an attitude indicator.  You'll see how pitch (actually vertical speed) changes, when you change that setting.

As for heading.. you'll see a part of the autopilot that resembes a heading indicator. It has two 360 degree indicators. One  IS  a secondary heading indicator (you'll see that it is in synch with the primary headinging indicator.. will drift with it, and reset with it) The other 360 indicator is in effect, the heading bug. The autopilot will turn until the two are lined up.

[Boikat]

All things considered, it's more of a "semi-automatic pilot".

[Staiduk]

Can I throw something in Brett? Not that this'll help much, but a mistake people commonly make with the DC-3 is trying to engage the autopilot before the aircraft is properly trimmed for flight. In more modern aircraft, this doesn't make much of a difference, since the AP takes over and drive the aircraft (in a very unsublte manner, IMO ). The Sperry autopilot works from an initial position based upon the aircraft's current trim. In other words, you get to your altitude (or off the ground, like a lot of sim pilots) and turn the thing on; you'll be wiggling and porpoising around forever. The trick in using the system is to properly trim the aircraft first, then turn it on. The ship'll hold that trim perfectly.

[Brett_Henderson]

Excellent point, Staiduk...

[Staiduk]

I've actually flown a DC-3...once, for about 5 minutes, a long time ago. The skydiving field I belonged to (Swoop Skydiving, Grand Bend, Ontario) had one they'd drag out on Saturdays (50 jumpers in the air at once! Whoopee!! ) I finangled my way on for a fuel run and the pilots let me take her for a few minutes. I was surprised at how responsive and easy to fly such a big plane was. From what I understood; the Sperry is almost never used anyway since once she's cruising comfortably control is fingertip-light. I'd be interested to know if the same holds true for long-ranged flights. Probably. In any case, even on my Pole-to-Pole FS9 flight a few years ago (aborted - engine blew up over Chile), I only ever used it to run to the bathroom.