Can someone explain how to operate auto pilot?

[imacken]

Can someone please explain to me how to work the autopilot system on the Tomcat?

It looks simple, with engage, altitude, heading etc. switches, but...

If I select altitude, then engage, and then press the NSW button, the plane levels off ok. However, if I try to use anything else, like heading or attitude, then nothing happens. Can't get them to work at all.

What am I not doing here?

[imacken]

I'm bumping this, as surely someone can offer some guidance here!

[3VL]

+1

[Rudel_chw]

Here is a nice tutorial:

 

YzML6bouo2E

[imacken]

Thanks for that. However, that video is of very limited use as he only really demonstrates altitude which I already knew. He does sort of demonstrate heading mode - which is what I was most interested in - but he does it at level flight which wasn't really useful.

However, I have worked out that the heading mode does work ok, but only at very small bank angles. The manual says it must be less than 5 degrees, and although it seems less than that to me, it does work as described.

The GT ground tracking mode doesn't work, as when it is selected the A/P REF light doesn't come on, so it can't be invoked.

I'm guessing some aspects of the A/P are WIP.

[RustBelt]

It’s not an airbus. You have to put it where you want first before turning it on. For GT you have to establish a track before it can hold it. If the INS isn’t aligned right it won’t ever be able to determine a track.

[imacken]

It’s not an airbus. You have to put it where you want first before turning it on. For GT you have to establish a track before it can hold it. If the INS isn’t aligned right it won’t ever be able to determine a track.

 

Not really sure what you are talking about, but re heading hold, don’t know anything about Airbus, but certainly other aircraft in DCS hold heading even when in a significant bank.

[VampireNZ]

Not really sure what you are talking about, but re heading hold, don’t know anything about Airbus, but certainly other aircraft in DCS hold heading even when in a significant bank.

 

Now I am not sure what you are talking about! lol. HDG HOLD while in a significant bank?:huh:

 

As per NATOPS -

 

2.23.4.3 Heading Hold. Heading (HDG) hold is

engaged by setting the HDG-OFF-GT switch to HDG.

After maneuvering the aircraft to the desired reference

heading, release the control stick at a bank angle of less

than ±5!. The autopilot will then hold the aircraft on the

desired heading. Heading reference is obtained from the

AHRS via the CSDC®.

 

So you can see, NO you cannot operate HDG HOLD with a 'significant bank angle' like these 'other' aircraft you speak of - sorry. AP is designed to reduce pilot workload on long boring transits - not fly knife edge passes at an air show or evade missiles :lol: JKS

[RustBelt]

Not really sure what you are talking about, but re heading hold, don’t know anything about Airbus, but certainly other aircraft in DCS hold heading even when in a significant bank.

 

I mean the Tomcat doesn’t have an advanced 1990s+ fly by wire intigrated flight control system. It’s Late 60’s early 70’s transistorized basic as heck autopilot tacked onto the stabilization dampers and the probably still physical gyroscope INS unit.

 

It cant work magic. It’s primitive and simple. If the MIG-21 autopilot works like you say it’s as fake as an honest politician.

 

The Tomcat is still of the era of the pilot works for the plane, not the modern plane is built to work for the pilot.

 

So level out, trim up, then turn on the very basic autopilot, because the Tomcat isn’t trying to be your friend. It’s trying to kill you.

[Cake]

So heading mode doesn’t follow the heading bug if you set it? That stinks.

[DocSigma]

You have to manually set the aspect - alt hold, heading hold, etc.. - switch to on - flip the switch to the up position; engage the autopilot and the plane will fly accordingly. Once you disengage autopilot, the alt hold, heading hold, or alt/heading switches revert automatically to the off position. The next time you want to engage the autopilot, you have to make sure you re-engage the topmost switches again before turning the autopilot back on.