Autopilot altitude hold behavior

[Donut]

Is the behavior of the autopilot altitude hold correct?

 

I have the Tomcat trimmed out, steady speed, VSI at 0...I engage the altitude hold and the aircraft will nose down a bit before leveling out then climbing a bit to get to the altitude that I engaged it at. Is this oscillation correct? It does it every time.

[mkosmo]

It seems to be doing a dumb thing of trying to start nose-level and then nulling out the rate and holding the altitude.

 

No idea if it's correct. I'm sure one of the real-world guys can let us know. I wonder if that changed between AFCS/DFCS, too?

[Buschwick]

I was surprised when I saw this happen...because BMS does the exact same thing when altitude hold is engaged. That makes me think it's intentional.

 

I actually like that it does this because it lets me know that I had all the switches corrct and it did, in fact, engage.

Edited April 30, 2019 by Buschwick

[Longiron]

Wait until you try the auto carrier landing, it’s pretty violent when it engages.

[Donut]

Wait until you try the auto carrier landing, it’s pretty violent when it engages.

 

Thanks for bringing that up...I tried it once and yes, I do remember it being strangely violent when it engages.

 

Maybe there is something off about how the autopilot engages...