Autopilot and TGP Lase not working in multiplayer

[mhe]

Hi there,

 

I spent the last few days flying with some friends in multiplayer and experimenting with player-controlled JTAC with CA. I noticed that often the autopilot, PAC and TGP lase don't work in my A10C.

 

Startup procedure is the same as described in the tutorial missions and it works fine in single player. Mission seems to be not the issue here, I've tried several (self created or Dragon's training pack missions for example).

 

I once had a GCAS fail during flight, did reland and repair and afterwards all systems were working, but not in initial startup. Is this a bug or am I just being stupid? :helpsmilie:

 

DCSW and all modules patched to 1.2.3 via autoupdater.

[ENO]

Sounds like maybe you're not lining up your INS? Possible?

 

Pitch and Yaw SAS? EAC?

 

Anything on your warning panel?

[mhe]

I always perform a full align on the INS (until the align value reaches 4.0.0.8 and "INS NAV READY" starts blinking in the second line of the CDU display.

 

Pitch and Yaw SAS are always engaged after engine start, warning panel is dark - checking it is part of my lineup checks. Really at a loss here. I do not change technique besides experimenting in order to track down the issue, but given the same procedure it sometimes works and sometimes it doesn't. The friend I fly with has the same issue, so I don't think it is related to my individual setup (which uses Helios).

 

Sometimes during startup I know it won't work because the CMSP display remains dark both in 3D pit and the export for Helios, system works normal though. If this happens, I can say for sure A/P, TGP lase etc won't work after takeoff, but most often they don't work even with the CMSP display working. Really really weird.

 

My friend uses no Helios and no exports, so he doesn't have modified instrument init-luas, so the issue cannot be that as well.

Edited April 26, 2013 by mhe

[nomdeplume]

Could you post a track of your startup procedure, takeoff, and subsequently having AP/PAC not working?

 

I think tracks for multiplayer flights should be automatically saved under Saved Games\DCS\Tracks\Multiplayer.

 

Edit: which means you hopefully already have one saved from an earlier session!

[ENO]

Hmmmm... Sounds like you have a good startup routine so your laser is likely turned on... I'm wondering is there any chance your refueling door is getting open with some key combination you're not aware of conflicting with some other assignment?

 

Sorry, I'm REALLY fishing here but I'm trying to think of the things that affect PAC. Is it engaged on the panel, near your laser?

[mhe]

The refueling door... That could be it! I sometimes wondered why the "ready" light on the right front beam of the cockpit window was illuminated. It actually could be that I forget to close the refueling door or that my Helios profile (a modified CptLoz profile) initialises with the refueling door open. I'll check when I come home, thanks for the input so far!

 

As for the lasing: The L-indicator in the TGP screen does not flash when I lase when this problem occurs, it really does not fire (checked with NVGs, no beam visible).

 

I'll check with the refueling door, if that does not work, I'll post a track. Thanks guys. :)

[ENO]

Might be worth checking to see whether the IR detector would show on your IR... the laser is in a different spectrum of light and wouldn't be visible. Also, it may be disabled with the refueling door being open- so that's possible but I can't test it out.

 

 

WAITAMINUTE!!!

 

Perhaps we've figured out the cause- the ready light is DEFINITELY a sign... because your LASER button becomes your reset button for the refuelling if you become unlatched.

 

Bingo!

[mhe]

I'm really confident that this might be it! I'll keep you guys posted, I'll be home in about 3 hours and this will be the first thing I try.

 

Also this thread says that opening the refueling door disables the EAC and since the autopilot is dependent on EAC, it could very well be the issue.

Edited April 26, 2013 by mhe

[mhe]

The refueling door was the issue all along! Thanks for the help, greatly appreciated! :D

 

In case anyone wondered: The CMSC stayed dark because of the brightness setting at zero... :doh:

[Evil.Bonsai]

Had a similar issue, but found that the laser/ir pointer doesn't work with flaps deployed. I was very high and going very slow and was using the flaps to maintain lift. Was wondering why the laser wasn't working. Closed flaps and all worked as it should. I knew that Mav's wouldn't launch with flaps down, but didn't realize the laser/pointer wouldn't as well.

[ENO]

Glad you figured it out! I'm reassured also because this is a sign that maybe... JUST MAYBE I'm starting to learn a thing or two!