Can't get Hold Selected Altitude Autopilot to work

[imacken]

I watched several videos and read manuals, etc., but I just can't get this sub mode to work.

 

One video says to set an altitude less than 1k from current, then go into at least a 5 degree pitch, then set the AP mode.

 

Well, nothing I do works! Is this bugged atm? Or is it me?

 

Any help appreciated.

[john4pap]

No, it isn't bugged as far as I can tell...

 

Just to go through it again:

 

You have to select the desired altitude, climb/descent towards it, press shift+h and the ap will level you there. Of course you have to have the basic ap engaged beforehand (leftmost button - A key on keyboard).

 

Sent from my SM-J510FN using Tapatalk

[imacken]

Thanks but, no, it is certainly not as straighforward as that.

 

AFAICS, it seems to depend on the altitude difference between your current and target as to whether this works or not. That can be seen quite easily by inputting your desired altitude, adjusting your pitch accordingly, putting the mode into standby, and then by adjusting the selected height on the dial as you go, you can see at what height the mode goes green.

 

However, if your selected height is within around 1000 - 1500 ft of your current height, then it all works OK.

 

For example, fly at 20000ft, input 21000, pitch up, switch on AP mode, then goes goes green immediately. Try the same thing for 25000ft selected, and it doesn't. It stays amber. Change the selected height downwards and eventually, you will see the light go green.

 

I'm very confused by this.

[john4pap]

Well it isn't supposed to go green immediately in your last example (20000 to 25000). It will stay amber until you're closer to the desired altitude and then it'll go green and level the airplane.

 

In other words, you're at 20000, you select 25000, start climbing, hit shift+h and the airplane never levels at 25000 but keeps on climbing? I'm sorry but never encountered anything like it.

 

Sent from my SM-J510FN using Tapatalk

[myHelljumper]

It's working as intended, the light is supposed to stay amber until your reach just below the desired altitude and then it goes green to say that the autopilot takes control of the pitch to level at the desired altitude.

 

Are you sure you checked the manual ?

 

Here is the Altitude capture mode part of the manual :

 

This mode requires first setting an altitude value on the ALT SEL. At the moment of

mode selection:

 

The amber AFF annunciator light up. The AP is armed for altitude capture.

 

PITCH: The pilot must set the desired flight path angle towards the desired

altitude with the trim control hat or by overriding the AP. The AP then holds

this pitch. When approaching the target altitude, the AP takes flight path

angle control for capture (green ALT annunciator lights up) and adjusts the

pitch in order to capture the altitude. Once reached, he ALT AFF capture

mode is cancelled, and automatically replaced by the ALT hold mode

described above

[imacken]

Guys, thank you so much. Yes, I didn't realise that it wasn't till 'approacing the target altitude' that the green light came on.

 

I'm happy now!

[john4pap]

No problem and happy flights!

 

Sent from my SM-J510FN using Tapatalk