cannot produce and mssing track file F-16C autopilot - required conditions to activate

[TheBiggerBass]

I guess I didn't fully understand yet how to activate the F-16C autopilot. The DCS manual lists the following conditions for disengagement:

• Angle-of-Attack exceeds 15°.
• Bank angle exceeds 60°.
• Low speed audio warning is triggered.
• Landing gear is extended and locked.
• The autopilot has failed or malfunctioned.
• The FLCS is operating on Digital Backup software.
• ALT FLAPS switch is set to EXTEND position below 400 knots.
• TRIM/AP DISC switch is set to DISC position.
• AIR REFUEL switch is set to OPEN position.
• MANUAL PITCH switch is set to OVRD position.

However although none of the above conditions are met after enganging alt hold autopilot the aircraft pitches or rolls off after a few seconds and must be stabilized manually to prevent uncontrolled flight.

HDG sel does not seem to be activated to, at least the aircraft does not seem to follow to next steering point although it's activated and coords are set correctly.

Please help to understand how to operate A/P correctly in the F-16C.

Edited Thursday at 09:36 AM by TheBiggerBass

[Dr_Pavelheer]

Maybe your stick drifts or doesn't center properly? Add some deadzone and check if problem persists

[BIGNEWY]

4 minutes ago, TheBiggerBass said:

I guess I didn't fully understand yet how to activate the F-16C autopilot. The DCS manual lists the following conditions for disengagement:

• Angle-of-Attack exceeds 15°.
• Bank angle exceeds 60°.
• Low speed audio warning is triggered.
• Landing gear is extended and locked.
• The autopilot has failed or malfunctioned.
• The FLCS is operating on Digital Backup software.
• ALT FLAPS switch is set to EXTEND position below 400 knots.
• TRIM/AP DISC switch is set to DISC position.
• AIR REFUEL switch is set to OPEN position.
• MANUAL PITCH switch is set to OVRD position.

However although none of the above conditions are met after enganging alt hold autopilot the aircraft pitches or rolls off after a few seconds and must be stabilized manually to prevent uncontrolled flight.

HDG sel does not seem to be activated to, at least the aircraft does not seem to follow to next steering point although it's activated and coords are set correctly.

Please help to understand how to operate A/P correctly in the F-16C.

Hi, I moved this out of the bugs section to the main F-16C section as I dont think you have a bug here. 

Its important to make sure you are trimmed, and as mentioned above you want to ensure your stick is calibrated and checked for drift as it often creates a problem where people are unable to stay in auto pilot. 

Add a track replay example if you still have issues and we can try the same scenario on our machines. 

thanks

[buceador]

As @BIGNEWY says, upload a track that contains the problem.

[TheBiggerBass]

My mechanical stick setup (VKB gunfighter 4 ultimate) is with weak spring centering, high damping, and mechanically reacts rather like a helicopter cyclic stick without springs. Pitch/roll enter dead zone is set to zero too. May be that's the issue.

[buceador]

1 hour ago, TheBiggerBass said:

May be that's the issue.

Upload the track!  I have been flying the F-16 almost exclusively for 5 years and have never experienced an autopilot problem.

[BIGNEWY]

Same not seeing any issues on my end. 

[TheBiggerBass]

Well, if the A/P only operates with perfectly centered and trimmed stick then my question is already answered, I suppose. However, I will try to record a track which demonstrates what I was mentioning later today.

[Gilligan]

This is a bit of an educated guess, but more often than not the F16 autopilot issues are related to having the "paddle switch depress" command bound to something that is activating inadvertently.