ALS Problems

[Jedra]

Hi there,

 

I am trying to learn the ACLS on the F14, but I am having some serious issues. Most videos I have watched have you switching the autopilot to ALS and then engaging it during the approach. The problem I am having is that as soon as I engage the Autopilot, the stick needs very heavy inputs to control the plane to keep it on an approach vector before getting the command to press the NWS button for the ALS system to kick in. The trim hat seems to do nothing once the ALS is Engaged.

 

The other two autopilot switches (altitude and heading) are off as I believe they should be. I also have gear down, flaps deployed and autothrottle engaged.

 

Most videos make this look easy, but as soon as I move the autopilot switch to 'engage' I have no control at all! Anyone have any immediate ideas as to what I am missing?

 

Thanks

[Scotch75]

I'm thinking you maybe still approaching on the inbound tacan brc radial. This is 9 degrees off from the final bearing (FB) which is the precision part of the approach. So you need to select the AWL/PCD button on the STEER CMD panel (immediately right of TCN button), ensure ACL is selected on the HUD and VDI. This will now show your needles to follow. Maintain 1200 feet till about 3nm (you will be under the glideslope), however, you must laterally fly the localiser needle very accurately. At approx 3nm when you get the CMD CONTROL light, then press the NWS button, the autopilot and data link from the carrier will take over (there may be a slight jink to line up). The critical element is being as close as possible to the localiser, so there is minimal correction required by the autopilot. The system is also not very good in crosswinds

 

Hope this helps.

Cheers!

 

 

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[CoBlue]

Hi there,

 

I am trying to learn the ACLS on the F14, but I am having some serious issues. Most videos I have watched have you switching the autopilot to ALS and then engaging it during the approach. The problem I am having is that as soon as I engage the Autopilot, the stick needs very heavy inputs to control the plane to keep it on an approach vector before getting the command to press the NWS button for the ALS system to kick in. The trim hat seems to do nothing once the ALS is Engaged.

 

The other two autopilot switches (altitude and heading) are off as I believe they should be. I also have gear down, flaps deployed and autothrottle engaged.

 

Most videos make this look easy, but as soon as I move the autopilot switch to 'engage' I have no control at all! Anyone have any immediate ideas as to what I am missing?

 

Thanks

For me AP Engage works really well. Yes it feels quite a bit heavier. I fly often with AP engaged eg. during BVR, ACLS, Marshall stack etc.

 

What if you engage AP in VFR straight & level, can you bank 20deg? climb/decent 5deg? Is AP still uncontrollable?

[Jedra]

Thanks for the replies folks.

 

With ALS engaged, I certainly cannot pitch 20 degrees left or right or 5 degrees climb/descent unless I pull the stick all the way. I certainly would not be able to fly normally in this configuration unless it was straight and level!

 

I have however managed to perfect the ACLS by only engaging the ALS autopilot in the last 3-4 miles of the approach when I am already on speed and at the correct approach vector. So I engage the ALS and then immediately get the command indication to activate ACLS by pressing the NWS button. It is a bit hectic, but I can now land on a carrier at night or in zero visibility.