nickexists Posted February 15, 2015 Posted February 15, 2015 I'm new to this module and I've just figured out how to use the autopilot. I'm a little confused about how the altitude channel works though. If the collective is set a little higher than needed than I can see that the autopilot compensates by lowering the collective pitch. However, if the collective is set too low then the autopilot does nothing, is the autopilot unable to increase collective pitch? When I hold down the "increase altitude" switch the helicopter briefly climbs but then gradually settles back down to the original altitude. If I hold down the "decrease altitude" switch the helicopter will descend until the switch is released, then it gradually climbs back up to the original altitude. Is this right?
AlphaOneSix Posted February 15, 2015 Posted February 15, 2015 The altitude channel can both increase and decrease collective pitch, not sure why it's not increasing if you are at low pitch. Do you mean when it's bottomed out? If so, try adding just 1 degree of pitch with the collective lever and try again. The increase and decrease switch you're talking about sounds like the test switch. When engaged, the altitude channel will attempt to hold the helicopter at its current pressure altitude, you cannot set a new altitude without depressing the collective trim release (collective brake), which disengages the altitude channel, and then re-engage the altitude channel at your new desired altitude once you've reached it and the aircraft is more or less stable (i.e. not climbing or descending too much when engaged).
nickexists Posted February 15, 2015 Author Posted February 15, 2015 Thanks for the clarification about the test switch, Alpha. I'm still confused why the autopilot won't raise collective for me though. Here is a track showing what I'm talking about.Mi8 autopilot.trk
Cibit Posted February 15, 2015 Posted February 15, 2015 The way I use the altitude channel is when I am trimmed for level flight and at my required height. Even without it the Hip sits nicely for hours if you get it trimmed right. For descending I trim for a gentle decrease in height. For landing I try to be down to 300 feet on approach and slow correspondingly. I don't know if real life pilots use this method but it works for me:) i5 8600k@5.2Ghz, Asus Prime A Z370, 32Gb DDR4 3000, GTX1080 SC, Oculus Rift CV1, Modded TM Warthog Modded X52 Collective, Jetseat, W10 Pro 64 [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Adding JTAC Guide //My Vid's//229th AHB
nickexists Posted February 16, 2015 Author Posted February 16, 2015 Bump and additional question. It seems like the bank and pitch autopilot channels drift over time. I'll start this them totally level and then 20minutes later it'll be trying to tilt me over 10 degrees or so, has any one else experienced this?
AlphaOneSix Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 In-game? No, but maybe I need to try harder. In real life? All the time! Super-annoying, right? Our pilots just hold in the trimmer button and rotate the knob on the control desk to recenter the trim indicator.
nickexists Posted February 17, 2015 Author Posted February 17, 2015 Well if it's a real life "feature" of the helicopter then I guess I can't complain. Out of curiosity, why does the pilot need to hold in the trimmer? As far as I can tell in the sim the trimmer button has no effect on the autopilot.
AlphaOneSix Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 You don't have to hold the trimmer. But when you start turning the knob on the control desk to center the trim indicator (the white bar), you will need to input opposite cyclic to counter the movement in the hydraulic actuators, and that's easier to do with the trimmer button pushed in. In other words, if the trim indicator has drifted over to the left, and you start turning the centering knob to the right to recenter it, you'll need to input left cyclic or the aircraft will start rolling right.
dresoccer4 Posted January 8, 2017 Posted January 8, 2017 sorry to bump and old thread but i'm having the exact issue as the OP and it looks like it was never explained. if i'm too low my chopper won't raise collective to compensate with altitude AP engaged. it will however lower it to drop us down. Acer Predator Triton 700 || i7-7700HQ || 512GB SSD || 32GB RAM || GTX1080 Max-Q || FFB II and Thrustmaster TWCS Throttle || All DCS Modules
MaxDamage Posted January 12, 2017 Posted January 12, 2017 (edited) It works one way: if you start gaining altitude above the selected value it will reduce rotor pitch, making the helo retain the altitude. However you have to understand that it wont increase the pitch more then what you have set initially before engaging the AP. Therefore it wont help you if you have a pitch setting that is not sufficient to begin with and the helo will start to descend. So to hold alt you need to set pitch that is a bit more then required (not less) and then engage the autopiolot. Edited January 12, 2017 by MaxDamage
MaxDamage Posted January 12, 2017 Posted January 12, 2017 In-game? No, but maybe I need to try harder. In real life? All the time! Super-annoying, right? Our pilots just hold in the trimmer button and rotate the knob on the control desk to recenter the trim indicator. he he he thats why you have a second pilot :D and even the 3rd
Recommended Posts