So how does the Autopilot work, anyway?

[Hunt3r.j2]

So far, all that I've seen regarding autopilot in the manual is flying routes. But my question is how to work with the autopilot while flying with no route in the PVI-800 or the ABRIS.

 

Basically, how do you just FLY with the AP instead of having to fight it? And how would real pilots fly it?

[EtherealN]

I'm not really sure I understand what you mean with "how do you just FLY". What I do is I, well, just fly. I set all four channels active and set the alt-hold to barometric or radar as desired, trim up, and then I go make myself a pot of coffee.

 

Obviously, the real pilots don't have the freedom to go make coffee, but I'd happily trade seats with them. :P

 

Perhaps if you would describe more what it is you want to do? Are you looking at a scenario where you have decided that you want to fly from where you are to an alternate airfield that isn't programmed, and you want to do so on auto? One option would be to take the coordinates of the destination and enter it into the PVI-800 as a waypoint and ask the AP to fly to it. Another option would be to set the AP to DT (Desired Track, instead of Desired Heading), trim up, and be flown over in the trimmed direction at the trimmed altitude and airspeed.

[159th_Viper]

Apart from the Flight Modes, where the A/P flies you from A to B at a predetermined Attitude, are you referring to the Stability Augmentation System?

If so, ensure you have the Pitch, Bank and Lateral Dampener On.

Dependant on circumstance, you might have the Altitude Hold toggled on. Lastly, Flight Director Off. And then Trim, Trim, and Trim again, often. That's how the Real Pilots are Instructed in the Kamov.

For a more Complex Analysis of the A/P Flight Modes and the Stability Augmenatation System, see the Following Articles -

Autopilot Part 1 - http://www.simhq.com/_air13/air_429a.html

 

Autopilot Part 2 - http://www.simhq.com/_air13/air_430a.html

 

Trimming the Shark - http://www.simhq.com/_air13/air_428a.html

[Hunt3r.j2]

Apart from the Flight Modes, where the A/P flies you from A to B at a predetermined Attitude, are you referring to the Stability Augmentation System?

 

If so, ensure you have the Pitch, Bank and Lateral Dampener On.

 

Dependant on circumstance, you might have the Altitude Hold toggled on. Lastly, Flight Director Off. And then Trim, Trim, and Trim again, often. That's how the Real Pilots are Instructed in the Kamov.

 

For a more Complex Analysis of the A/P Flight Modes and the Stability Augmenatation System, see the Following Articles -

 

Autopilot Part 1 - http://www.simhq.com/_air13/air_429a.html

 

Autopilot Part 2 - http://www.simhq.com/_air13/air_430a.html

 

Trimming the Shark - http://www.simhq.com/_air13/air_428a.html

It seems then that in order to do anything with the stability augmentation and FD off you have to press and hold trim down.

 

If real pilots don't do that, then how would then fly?:huh:

[Frederf]

Nonsense, the holds are "weak" so you just push the stick to move the aircraft and then trim the new direction.

[GGTharos]

They actually trim very often. Very often being once every couple seconds after a maneuver, for example (you shouldn't need to trim much once you're on your way though).

 

It seems then that in order to do anything with the stability augmentation and FD off you have to press and hold trim down.

 

If real pilots don't do that, then how would then fly?:huh:

[isoul]

For real pilots its trim, trim, trim I suppose. Once you get used to the behaviour of the ka-50 with Stability Augmentation on you have to trim quite often while you are flying around. Once you are on a linear course you rarely trim as GGTharos mentioned. While you are in trouble, like being in an area where you have to jink AAA fire, and make steep turns or other manouevers you may find FD useful.

 

In real Ka-50 the trimming is more "natural" meaning that the cyclic, once trimmed, it stays there while the non-FF joysticks will recenter. This means that real Ka-50 pilots have an advantage cause they can see and feel the cyclic's trimmed position while we can't.(Ctrl-Enter window may help you see the last trimmed position of your cyclic)

[zdXu]

 

In real Ka-50 the trimming is more "natural" meaning that the cyclic, once trimmed, it stays there while the non-FF joysticks will recenter. This means that real Ka-50 pilots have an advantage cause they can see and feel the cyclic's trimmed position while we can't.(Ctrl-Enter window may help you see the last trimmed position of your cyclic)

 

I am using the trim-off-button a lot. Have also only a Non-FF-stick. Because the trim-off-stick-position is always the same. Here i am 100% familiar with the heli: how the heli reacts whilst i move the stick to a certain position. Safty comes first for me and not the looping-experiences and stuff.

 

I am using the trim-off-position at:

- low-level-flight (under 40 meters and airspeed under ca. 100 km/h)

- manouvering in closely spaced areas (cities, mountains, get in shooting position whilst there is a sam-thread etc.)

 

But i have only 31 flight-hours though ( 32 landings, no deadly crash, pilot vulnerable).