Wobbly Autopilot

[rrohde]

Just wondering if the super wobbly autopilot is a beta/half-baked issue, or is that something new we need to learn to work around in the new PFM of the Su-27?

 

Yesterday I was trying to use the autopilot to fly a simple route and oh boy did that thing go crazy on me... constantly inputting rudder and elevator, making me reach for my barf-bag. :)

[Shaman]

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=133344

yep, just try to get leveled and trimmed, and engage Attitude hold, see what happens ;)

[rrohde]

So that issue was in open beta, and still in the public beta? Not sure if that's a bug report worthy thing or already worked on, since that's so obviously "bad". :)

 

Yeah, the AP tries to kill me simply following a route, flipping me into a flat spin and all that fun stuff while climbing, etc, etc.

 

Can't hold alt nor att, trying ILS approach is also quite harrowing. :)

[Ironhand]

So that issue was in open beta, and still in the public beta? Not sure if that's a bug report worthy thing or already worked on, since that's so obviously "bad". :)

 

Yeah, the AP tries to kill me simply following a route, flipping me into a flat spin and all that fun stuff while climbing, etc, etc.

 

Can't hold alt nor att, trying ILS approach is also quite harrowing. :)

Very interesting. I experimented with the various modes this morning and didn't experience a single problem. Everything worked as it should without any of the wild bronco stuff you experienced. The only 2 things I didn't try were a transition from enroute to ILS and also "Panic Mode". I wonder what the issue is.

 

 

Rich

[159th_Viper]

Not sure if that's a bug report worthy thing or already worked on, since that's so obviously "bad". :)

 

Yeah it's a known issue. The AP logic is being worked on. In the interim, as I stated in another thread, be sure to be trimmed properly before engaging any AP mode - seems to eliminate most of the wobbles from what I have seen/experienced.

 

Edit: As Ironhand also confirms, trim and you'll see the difference.

[Ironhand]

Yeah it's a known issue. The AP logic is being worked on. In the interim, as I stated in another thread, be sure to be trimmed properly before engaging any AP mode - seems to eliminate most of the wobbles from what I have seen/experienced.

 

Edit: As Ironhand also confirms, trim and you'll see the difference.

Ahh...so trim--or lack thereof--is the reason for the difference.

 

Wonder if a lack of trim screws up "Panic Mode", too. Now wouldn't that be a hoot. :)

[rrohde]

I think that I trim well enough before engaging AP ("A" key), however, the initial climb to altitude for the first waypoint was a disaster (again, that flipping me over into an inverted flat spin comes to mind). So was approaching finals using AP.

 

I noticed that my AI wingman was also oscillating like mad. At least it's good to know that they have the same struggle. ;)

 

Well, chalking it up to beta status here. Otherwise, I am in love with the "new" Su-27. :) Talking about being in love -- everyone is talking about the Cobra, but TAILSLIDES... tailslides are so much fun now! And they work rather well.

[159th_Viper]

I think that I trim well enough before engaging AP ("A" key)

 

Well no wonder you're getting killed then. Try toggling the appropriate AP mode by having regard to LAlt 1 through to LAlt 6 and note the difference.

 

Edit: Oh yes, and reset/cancel AP with LAlt 9, otherwise you're just digging yourself another grave.

Edited November 14, 2014 by 159th_Viper

[rrohde]

Well no wonder you're getting killed then. Try toggling the appropriate AP mode by having regard to LAlt 1 through to LAlt 6 and note the difference.

 

Edit: Oh yes, and reset/cancel AP with LAlt 9, otherwise you're just digging yourself another grave.

 

Wait -- doesn't "A" follow the route and maintain the expected altitude for that route throughout the waypoints? That's what I want it to do.

 

Unless there's something new that I missing in regards to the updated Su-27 and her AP modes... Could you shed some light on that in a nutshell?

 

Yes, the cancel AP is mapped to my HOTAS as well, and I use it a lot.

[159th_Viper]

LAlt 6 is Route Following mode IIRC. It's listed in the Controls screen under SU-27/Autopilot - have a looksee :)

Edited November 14, 2014 by 159th_Viper

[rrohde]

Now, route following does not maintain alt if I remember correctly, that's why I use "A" instead. Is there a way to combine the route following with altitude hold? Or is "A" the oscillating solution for that? :)

[Ironhand]

IIRC, Route Following mode also tracked the altitude, when I engaged it this morning. I remember that, in the past, the "A" key being an issue for aircraft having the full AP suite. Avoid using it in the Flanker now.

 

If I'm wrong about Route Following mode also tracking altitude, try using it in conjunction with Barometric Altitude Hold. I know I had it engaged prior to engaging Route Following this morning and don't remember if I actually disengaged it. I might have had both engaged during that period. Experiment and see what you come up with.

Edited November 14, 2014 by Ironhand

[159th_Viper]

...try using it in conjunction with Barometric Hold.

 

This.

 

Engage LAlt 6 and then LAlt 4 to hold altitude whilst following waypoints.

[rrohde]

IIRC, Route Following mode also tracked the altitude, when I engaged it this morning. I remember that, in the past, the "A" key being an issue for aircraft having the full AP suite. Avoid using it in the Flanker now.

 

If I'm wrong about Route Following mode also tracking altitude, try using it in conjunction with Barometric Hold.

 

Roger that. I'll check it out.

 

PS: I only recently stumbled across your training lessons, and I have to say they are simply stunning. For me, learning about the various F-15 radar modes and how to employ them was priceless. The way you teach makes me think you're real-life instructor of sorts -- or should be. Very effective!

[rrohde]

This.

 

Engage LAlt 6 and then LAlt 4 to hold altitude whilst following waypoints.

 

Fantastic. Thank you! I will un-map "A" from my stick and add LAlt4 instead. :)

[Ironhand]

Roger that. I'll check it out...

Hope it solves your issues.

 

...The way you teach makes me think you're real-life instructor of sorts...

:) Thanks. Neither an instructor nor an instructor wannabe. I do, however, enjoy watching someone's eyes light up when they realize that what they thought was beyond their ability, wasn't.

[Svend_Dellepude]

airflow seems to impact the autopilot too.

When i'm in good speed, trimmed level and not too high, the autopilot seems more stable.