correct as is Hornet unstable pitch

[dbarak]

I've been experiencing some pitch instability with the Hornet, and it seems like it might be worse at higher altitudes like 15k and higher. It'll pitch up a little, then a few seconds later it'll pitch down some. Is it something I've set wrong in the aircraft configuration? A problem with my joystick?

Thanks,

Dave

[CBStu]

Are you using BALT auto pilot? If so I notice it can take 3-4 cycles to settle in especially if I hit the button while the plane is still in a slight climb. If not using BALT I still notice that it can take a cycle or two from when I level out until it decides this is a good attitude or maybe it's altitude.

[dbarak]

Hi CBStu,

I've seen that behavior with BALT and if it's beyond about three degrees of pitch up or down BALT will click off. This problem I'm having seems to happen regardless of it being on autopilot or not. It's almost like the airplane starts to stall out and then corrects the pitch to keep that from happening, but it's happening at airspeeds high enough and at pitches that are all reasonable. Of course stalling out would happen with pitching up, but I see it happening when the airplane is slightly pitched down too. Flaps are on auto, gear is up, so I don't know what the deal is. Weird.

[rob10]

1st things first.  Post a track of it happening.  That way others can check and see if they're seeing the same thing or what you may be doing to cause it.

Are you using the EASY option or SIM option for flight model?

A WAG suggestion: are you using 1/2 flaps for take-off (using AUTO can cause issues, usually bigger than what you're seeing, but who knows).

Are you fully disengaging any autopilot you have one -- is there still an A/P advisory showing on the left DDI (another one that shouldn't cause what you're seeing, but worth checking).

[dbarak]

Hi rob10,

I did some test flying (Right Stuff, here I come) and I think I figured out what the problem might be. The joystick I'm using has a tension adjustment and I think over time it loosened to its minimum tension, causing "micro" inputs. I re-tightened it to the maximum and the Hornet rides much more like a Cadillac than before. I guess the loss of tension was gradual and I just didn't notice it. So thanks rob10 and CBStu!

Dave