Bug: Pitch up during refueling probe extension

[Ironhand]

Unless this act somehow alters the aerodynamics of the aircraft sufficiently that this is a feature, this altitude gain as the refueling probe extends is a bug. It doesn't matter how the aircraft is trimmed, the nose will pitch up as soon as the extension begins. A significant downward force on the stick is required to keep the nose reasonably level. Otherwise a few hundred meters of altitude is likely to be gained before the AP levels the aircraft.

 

I know this has been noted elsewhere by several others but I haven't seen it listed specifically as a bug under its own heading.

[miromurin]

Is possible to turn autopilot off during refueling? it was much more better before last update. It is very hard to refuel when tanker is orbiting. Does real Su-33 really refuel only in straight and level flight?

[Ironhand]

Is possible to turn autopilot off during refueling? it was much more better before last update. It is very hard to refuel when tanker is orbiting. Does real Su-33 really refuel only in straight and level flight?

I haven't found a way to turn the refueling mode off. If the refueling rod is extended, you are in that mode.

 

As for the rest, I have no idea.

[Lao Fei Mao]

Maybe you can try extend the probe before using the "H"key.

[Ironhand]

Maybe you can try extend the probe before using the "H"key.

In my experiments, the "H" key made no difference to the outcome. And, as soon, as the refueling rod begins to extend, the AP refueling mode comes online and stays on regardless of any AP mode keys I subsequently pressed.

[blueskunk]

i thought the pitch up when extending the probe was some sort of functionality, as it works like an autopilot (alt hold), i.e. its keeping my plane level and i cannot disengage that and maneuvre normally, unless i retract the probe.

 

(off topic: retracting the probe after aborting refuelling doesn't work)

[Ironhand]

i thought the pitch up when extending the probe was some sort of functionality, as it works like an autopilot (alt hold), i.e. its keeping my plane level and i cannot disengage that and maneuvre normally, unless i retract the probe.

 

(off topic: retracting the probe after aborting refuelling doesn't work)

 

The problem is the pitch up, not the AP functionality. Unless the extension of the probe is actually causing sufficient lift to raise the nose, there shouldn't be any pitch up when the AP takes over in a trimmed aircraft. This is similar to using the "H" key. If you have the aircraft trimmed for your airspeed, engaging baro alt hold will not produce any significant change in pitch, when first engaged.

 

And the probe does retract but not until the fuel remaining in it has been purged (or some similar explanation). Takes about 2 minutes. According to ED, that is how that part actually functions.