[UNABLE TO REPRODUCE] Autopilot Path not working

[CrypticVillain]

Auto Pilot path seems unable to hold a slightly unbalanced airframe on the path. It will slowly lean in the direction of the extra weight on the wing. If I trim it out it will then be able to fly a mostly straight path. Anyone else experienced this? Did something change with the new A-10?

[Ziptie]

Auto Pilot path seems unable to hold a slightly unbalanced airframe on the path. It will slowly lean in the direction of the extra weight on the wing. If I trim it out it will then be able to fly a mostly straight path. Anyone else experienced this? Did something change with the new A-10?

 

I found in the past that it wouldn’t hold path autopilot when the aircraft wasn’t trimmed properly. You should always have the aircraft trimmed properly anyways, so really shouldn’t be a big deal....

 

Anyways, I find the autopilot behavior to be exactly the same as the previous A10C, which is adequate considering the airframe is truly a “stick and rudder” one, compared to the Viper and Hornet for example.

 

 

Cheers,

 

Ziptie

[CrypticVillain]

I found in the past that it wouldn’t hold path autopilot when the aircraft wasn’t trimmed properly. You should always have the aircraft trimmed properly anyways, so really shouldn’t be a big deal....

 

Anyways, I find the autopilot behavior to be exactly the same as the previous A10C, which is adequate considering the airframe is truly a “stick and rudder” one, compared to the Viper and Hornet for example.

 

 

Cheers,

 

Ziptie

 

So I have never set auto pilot without trimming first when the plane is running a really unbalanced loadout. But I have many times set the autopilot with the aircraft ever so slightly out of balance in the original a-10 and never had this massive drift issue. But I will endeavor to trim every time regardless from now on. Just thought I would point out how much of a issue this is or appears to be.

[Emmy]

The A/P on the Hog really only babysits and does not “control” the jet.

 

It’s a very manual aircraft and requires trimming almost constantly. It’s a pilot’s plane and not a robot.

[Faelwolf]

Path only holds the aircraft attitude where it was when activated, so if out of trim, you will drift. The advantage to this though, is you can do things like get into a turn, set path, and have the aircraft hold an orbit for you while you sort something out, or are standing by for tasking, etc. Be aware though that path includes pitch, so if nose up, you will continue to climb until you reach stall point or max alt depending on throttle & pitch settings, and if nose down, it will continue down until you have an "unscheduled landing" :)

If you want to lock in to a waypoint or something and fly hands-free, then use ALT/HDG, and it will override trim and control settings, but you have to be within a few degrees of level flight when activating it (5 IIRC).

[Ziptie]

Path only holds the aircraft attitude where it was when activated, so if out of trim, you will drift. The advantage to this though, is you can do things like get into a turn, set path, and have the aircraft hold an orbit for you while you sort something out, or are standing by for tasking, etc. Be aware though that path includes pitch, so if nose up, you will continue to climb until you reach stall point or max alt depending on throttle & pitch settings, and if nose down, it will continue down until you have an "unscheduled landing" :)

If you want to lock in to a waypoint or something and fly hands-free, then use ALT/HDG, and it will override trim and control settings, but you have to be within a few degrees of level flight when activating it (5 IIRC).

 

For orbiting, I personally use the aft position (ALT) - as you can put some roll into it, level flight, set AP and hold a near perfect orbit while heads down or using Mk I eyeballs out the canopy.

 

Cheers,

 

Ziptie