LAAP or autopilot question

[bofhlusr]

How do I engage or disengage the autopilot using the keyboard keys?  The Alt-Hdg mode seems to work but not Alt-Bank or Path.

Do I press the A or Q key (see below)?

Also, do I press it before selecting a mode by pressing 2, 3, or 4 keys to select a mode or also or only after selecting mode the mode?

Thank you.

[Akiazusa]

IIRC,these 2 switches are the same,just for redundancy.   And you need to select a mode first before engageing the LAAP. So press 234 first then Q or A.

[bofhlusr]

Thank you. I think I have it. (Btw, I'm aware of the 5 and 10 degree (bank limitation) and that the auto-pilot does not control the throttle.)

When in alt/bank hold mode is the indicator on the HUD supposed to change from alt/hld to something else like it does when in path mode?

[jaylw314]

1 hour ago, bofhlusr said:

Thank you. I think I have it. (Btw, I'm aware of the 5 and 10 degree (bank limitation) and that the auto-pilot does not control the throttle.)

When in alt/bank hold mode is the indicator on the HUD supposed to change from alt/hld to something else like it does when in path mode?

It changes to ALT, but if the LAAP is still engaged, it won't change until you disengage and reengage it.

[QuiGon]

3 hours ago, bofhlusr said:

How do I engage or disengage the autopilot using the keyboard keys?  The Alt-Hdg mode seems to work but not Alt-Bank or Path.

Do I press the A or Q key (see below)?

Also, do I press it before selecting a mode by pressing 2, 3, or 4 keys to select a mode or also or only after selecting mode the mode?

Thank you.

 Look at your throttle panel in the cockpit. You will see the AP switche there. The 2,3,4 buttons on your keyboard just move the AP select switch to the three different positions and thus selecting one of the three modes. That means there is ALWAYS a mode selected as the switch is always in one of the three positions.

A/Q just toggle the AP on/off, based on the mode selected by that AP mode switch. If you switch to a different AP mode while the AP is engaged it won't have any effect. You will have to disengage the AP and re-engage in order to change AP mode.
 

3 hours ago, Akiazusa said:

And you need to select a mode first before engageing the LAAP. So press 234 first then Q or A.

Just to make sure there is no misunderstanding: You don't need to select a mode first before engaging the AP, as there is always a mode selected. So pressing 2/3/4 is optional. You can just press Q/A right away to activate the AP without pressing 2/3/4 beforehand. You only need to press 2/3/4 to CHANGE the AP mode, which only takes effect after the AP gets (re-)engaged.

Edited January 20, 2023 by QuiGon

[bofhlusr]

10 hours ago, QuiGon said:

That means there is ALWAYS a mode selected as the switch is always in one of the three positions.

This phrase is very... enlightening? It wasn't obvious to someone like me who do other flight sims. Thank you.