[BUG] A10A Autopilot not working again

[Fanki 17]

I had this problem last year but they patched it pretty quick and everything worked as it should.

 

Now it looks like there is the same bug again which causes that the Autopilot is not working like last year.

I took a small break from DCS so cant tell which update causes this bug. I just wanted to mention that because its really getting annoying.

[cfrag]

Which one? I initially thought the same, but then realized that the "A" (unlike the C) only has very limited otto support. I think it only supports attitude and altitude hold, not path. And IIRC you need to first select the mode (attitude, alt) and then engage it. I'll try and check later.

 

-ch

[N22YF]

On 3/10/2021 at 5:28 AM, Fanki 17 said:

I had this problem last year but they patched it pretty quick and everything worked as it should.

 

Now it looks like there is the same bug again which causes that the Autopilot is not working like last year.

 

Hm, I'm running 2.5.6.61527.3 (latest version) and haven't run into any issues myself. What exact problem are you having?

 

On 3/10/2021 at 7:54 AM, cfrag said:

I initially thought the same, but then realized that the "A" (unlike the C) only has very limited otto support. I think it only supports attitude and altitude hold, not path.

 

Maybe you're thinking of the F-15C? The A-10A has altitude/bank hold, altitude/heading hold, and path hold autopilot modes.

[cfrag]

Unfortunately, the OP does not elaborate on what they think is bugged out. I checked the A's manual (June 2020 update), and (on page 47) it talks about two auto pilot modes: PATH HLD (which follows the set course, better called "(limited) vector hold"; it will not fly towards the next waypoint autonomously), and ALT HLD which keeps current altitude. Now, the controls interface in the game support three modes: altitude/bank, altitude/heading and path. Checking in the cockpit, I can see it works with ALT, ALT/HDG and PATH, so it seems to me that there is nothing intrinsically wrong, although I cant shake the feeling that PATH is a bit wonky. It's also a shame that the switches don't animate on the thrust panel, but that's just eye candy. 

Edited March 13, 2021 by cfrag

[N22YF]

9 hours ago, cfrag said:

I checked the A's manual (June 2020 update), and (on page 47) it talks about two auto pilot modes: PATH HLD (which follows the set course, better called "(limited) vector hold"; it will not fly towards the next waypoint autonomously), and ALT HLD which keeps current altitude. Now, the controls interface in the game support three modes: altitude/bank, altitude/heading and path. Checking in the cockpit, I can see it works with ALT, ALT/HDG and PATH, so it seems to me that there is nothing intrinsically wrong, although I cant shake the feeling that PATH is a bit wonky. It's also a shame that the switches don't animate on the thrust panel, but that's just eye candy. 

 

The A-10A manual hasn't been updated since 2013, unfortunately - I imagine sometime since 2013 the autopilot implementation was improved, and the manual was never updated to reflect this.

I haven't run into any wonkiness with path hold (which IMHO is appropriately named, since it holds your current flight path - as opposed to e.g. the Flanker autopilot mode that flies towards the next waypoint automatically, which is described as "route following") myself, but I also haven't examined its behavior too closely.

I wish the autopilot mode switch animated too, but I would say it's more than just eye candy because, without that animation, it's impossible to tell what autopilot mode is selected when the autopilot is not engaged ☹

[NeuralBlankes]

There are times that I've run into problems where the auto-pilot simply ceases to function.   I select any of the given modes, and then ensure the aircraft meets the requirements regarding pitch and roll, and then nothing happens (undamaged aircraft btw).   Quit mission, restart, and everything works as expected.

 

Update on this issue:  A mission starting cold vs a mission starting hot can affect the armed status of the EAC, which will result in the autopilot not functioning while in flight.

Edited June 11, 2021 by NeuralBlankes

[Zippa]

Good day all,

I am getting back into DCS and using the A10A.  I am with a small group and have created a few missions.  The problem is, after creating the mission and watching many tutorials about auto pilot, we are not able to use it in the A10A.  We have followed all the parameters but to no avail. I can join a instant action mission with the A10A and AP works.  Does anyone know the reason why?

Zippa (John)

[Ironhand]

1 hour ago, Zippa said:

I can join a instant action mission with the A10A and AP works.  Does anyone know the reason why?

I assume the instant action is an air start? If so, that's why. The EAC is already on in an air start. If you're starting dark and cold, you need to turn it on (keyboard "A" toggles it on/off). But another question is what AP function are you attempting to engage? There are only two: Altitude/Heading Hold and Path Hold. A third option, Altitude/Bank Hold, is listed in the controls listing but doesn't exist in the sim. Not sure why it's there because the A-10A sim manual only refers to those first two.

[Zippa]

Ironhand,

Thanks for responding to my situation.  I always start from the ground.  I tried your suggestion, and it still did not work.  Is there anything within the creating of the mission that could be the reason?  

[Ironhand]

12 hours ago, Zippa said:

...Is there anything within the creating of the mission that could be the reason?  

No, there's not.

Just to make sure we're on the same page, do the following. Do your startup procedure and take off. Once established in flight, select EAC Arm (LAlt+4). Next select LAAP Altitude/Heading Hold (LAlt+2). Finally, LAAP Engage/Disengage (A). Did it work?

EDIT: It's been a long time since I've been in the A-10A pit. I realized this evening that there are three steps, not two as suggested in my previous post.

EDIT 2: Forgot to mention. Make sure you’re in fairly level flight before steps 2 & 3. Not sure how finicky the AP is.

Edited December 1, 2023 by Ironhand

[Zippa]

Ironhand,

I tried your directions to the T and it work perfectly?   Thank you so much for your suggestion.  The small team has tried it and everyone is ecstatic!  Eventually, we are going to be moving up to the A10C and want to have the basics down first.

John (Zippa) C.

[Ironhand]

3 hours ago, Zippa said:

I tried your directions to the T and it work perfectly…

Excellent. Wish I had realized that there were three steps, not two, sooner. But at least you and your team have that squared away. Enjoy. And thanks for letting me know.

[Zippa]

IronHand,

I have a friend who has a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro joystick and his rudder is going hard left.  He has tried to calibrate it and nothing working.  Have you had any others that have had this issue?  And what was the fix?

 

[Ironhand]

13 hours ago, Zippa said:

IronHand,

I have a friend who has a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro joystick and his rudder is going hard left.  He has tried to calibrate it and nothing working.  Have you had any others that have had this issue?  And what was the fix?

 

Unless there is a problem with the joystick itself, there is normally only one reason for this to happen—a duplication of the rudder command somewhere that is being activated. If he unplugs his joystick, are the rudders still hard left?