Autopilot not engaging

[lax22]

Not sure if I'm missing something but ever since the new patch, the NWS button does not engage the autopilot for me.

 

I set Altitude hold and Heading hold as well as the AP Master button but pressing the NWS button does nothing so AP never engages.

 

Never had a problem with the AP before this patch...

Edited June 19, 2021 by lax22

[Wingmate]

Make sure you are trying to engage it within +/- 200 FPM Vertical Speed

[IronMike]

"A quick tip: to engage Altitude Hold, simply level your climb or descent at the desired altitude, and when within +/-200 FPM, press the autopilot reference button to engage it. This is how it has been done in real life."

[aholmberg]

Same issue for me. Just tried to engage it in a level flight under 400knots but with no luck.

Also tried the suggested solution but still no luck.

 

[cobrabase]

Tried the suggestion and I have the same issue. 

[Blinde]

+1

[Golo]

Same, just tried it in A and it will not engage just on AP ref. press.

 

 

[IronMike]

Engages 100% of the time here when stable within 200 FPM plus or minus. If you have an accumulating VS, you can't just grab it within 200 FPM, you need to hold your level or less than +/-200FPM steadily.

Please show us a video that clearly highlights all your steps. Thank you.

Edited June 20, 2021 by IronMike

[VXE-6]

is the 200 fps limit new? I am having the same issue. cannot get it to engage with all systems ready, and selecting NWS. Not sure i was less than 200 fps, but will check. I was able to engage the auto ICLS on approach to the carrier which tells me the binding was okay.

[IronMike]

44 minutes ago, VXE-6 said:

is the 200 fps limit new? I am having the same issue. cannot get it to engage with all systems ready, and selecting NWS. Not sure i was less than 200 fps, but will check. I was able to engage the auto ICLS on approach to the carrier which tells me the binding was okay.

 

Yes this is new, it got implemented with the last patch. Please check the changelog for all new AP changes.

[Golo]

I dont do videos, but I can write it up for you.

 

From standard cold start and T/O like I did hundreds of times, no anomalies, all SAS channels ON, good INS, good AHRS, got to cruise alt about 15k ft. Leveled off and trimmed for mostly 0 FMP on VSI (well whittin +-200fpm, If you say anything im gonna take it as an insult here) for min. 10s and pressed AP ref. button on my stick (pinky-TMWH) nothing, tested for both A and B.

 

Next I set ALT hold ON on AP panel, and repeated the process leveled off and trimmed for mostly 0 FMP on VSI, pressed AP ref. button and nothing. (no AP ref. light either)

 

Next in addition to ALT hold ON once leveled off and trimmed for mostly 0 FMP on VSI, I switched ON the AP ENGAGE switch, at that point A/P ref. light came on and AP engaged in ALT hold when I pressed AP ref. button on my stick (AP ref. light went off at that instant). 

 

Further more when I pulled the stick overriding ALT hold AP, AP ref. light came on again I set my altitude +100ft leveled off for mostly 0 FMP on VSI and pressed AP ref. button on my stick again, ALT hold AP engaged again at this new altitude and AP ref. light went off again.

 

Note: On engagement of ALT hold AP there was a slight pitch down and descent of about 30ft-50ft and AP held this lower altitude instead of commanded altitude.

[IronMike]

2 minutes ago, Golo said:

I dont do videos, but I can write it up for you.

 

From standard cold start and T/O like I did hundreds of times, no anomalies, all SAS channels ON, good INS, good AHRS, got to cruise alt about 15k ft. Leveled off and trimmed for mostly 0 FMP on VSI (well whittin +-200fpm, If you say anything im gonna take it as an insult here) for min. 10s and pressed AP ref. button on my stick (pinky-TMWH) nothing, tested for both A and B.

 

Next I set ALT hold ON on AP panel, and repeated the process leveled off and trimmed for mostly 0 FMP on VSI, pressed AP ref. button and nothing. (no AP ref. light either)

 

Next in addition to ALT hold ON once leveled off and trimmed for mostly 0 FMP on VSI, I switched ON the AP ENGAGE switch, at that point A/P ref. light came on and AP engaged in ALT hold when I pressed AP ref. button on my stick (AP ref. light went off at that instant). 

 

Further more when I pulled the stick overriding ALT hold AP, AP ref. light came on again I set my altitude +100ft leveled off for mostly 0 FMP on VSI and pressed AP ref. button on my stick again, ALT hold AP engaged again at this new altitude and AP ref. light went off again.

 

Note: On engagement of ALT hold AP there was a slight pitch down and descent of about 30ft-50ft and AP held this lower altitude instead of commanded altitude.

 

 

First half is simply wrong order of steps, and then it worked with correct order of steps.

AP ref button does nothing, unless AP engage is on and a submode like ALT HLD and HDG HLD has been selected, hence it didnt do anything for you before you did that. Which is correct.

AP Engage -> ALT HOLD selected -> AP ref light comes on -> level within 200FPM -> press AP ref button -> alt hold will be engaged.

As for the ALT hold being in minus 50 fpm - at what altitude was that? 15k feet? That is what strikes me odd. We'll check.

[Golo]

8 minutes ago, IronMike said:

First half is simply wrong order of steps, and then it worked with correct order of steps.

AP ref button does nothing, unless AP engage is on and a submode like ALT HLD and HDG HLD has been selected, hence it didnt do anything for you before you did that. Which is correct.

AP Engage -> ALT HOLD selected -> AP ref light comes on -> level within 200FPM -> press AP ref button -> alt hold will be engaged.

As for the ALT hold being in minus 50 fpm - at what altitude was that? 15k feet? That is what strikes me odd. We'll check.

OK I did misunderstand the change then, I thought ALT hold will engage on AP ref. press even without ALT hold set on AP panel and AP engage switch when +-200fpm. I admit I never used AP ever before this change (except attitude hold), and I only did now to test it, so my mistake.

Edited June 21, 2021 by Golo

[IronMike]

Just now, Golo said:

OK I did misunderstand the change then, I thought ALT hold will engage on AP ref. press even without ALT hold set on AP panel and AP engage switch when +-200fpm. I admit I never used AP ever before this change (except attitude hold), and I only did now to test it so I my mistake.

 

 

Absolutely no worries, mistakes are a great tool for learning. And good find on the -30FPM issue, btw, we will investigate that right away, that shouldnt happen. Thank you!

[Domestos]

Unfortunately I can't get this to work with an MS FFB stick. Even if I get stable at +/- 200fpm it mostly won't engage. I'm in FFB Trim mode in the special options.

 

 

Domestos