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manual:autopilot [2017/07/28 21:58] jfmanual:autopilot [2017/07/29 06:11] (current) jf
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 ======Basic Autopilot (Found in Cessna 172 and Baron B58)====== ======Basic Autopilot (Found in Cessna 172 and Baron B58)======
  
-==== General information ====+===== General information =====
  
 **Note** Autopilot functionality can be different between aircraft. Some of the AP functions are not final in the early access version.  **Note** Autopilot functionality can be different between aircraft. Some of the AP functions are not final in the early access version. 
Line 89: Line 89:
  
 ======Advanced Autopilot====== ======Advanced Autopilot======
-==== Note ====+===== Note =====
 **This section will be improved but this will provide you with basic information related to the newly introduced advanced autopilot features and functionality seen in the latest Aerofly FS2 update** **This section will be improved but this will provide you with basic information related to the newly introduced advanced autopilot features and functionality seen in the latest Aerofly FS2 update**
  
-====Introduction====+=====Introduction=====
  
 We want to give a bit of an overview on the current autopilot setup before getting into more detail about what changed. One important aspect is that there are only two autopilot implementations in Aerofly FS2 currently. There is the basic autopilot that is found in the Cessna 172 and Baron B58 and there is an advanced autopilot which has more features and controls all the airliners: Airbus A320, Boeing B737, Boeing B747, C90GTx King Air, Learjet LJ45 and Dash8-Q400. These airliner-autopilots can be split into three groups: Airbus, Boeing and Bombardier autopilots. This autopilot update only affected the autopilot found in the airliners, the basic autopilot wasn't touched at all.  We want to give a bit of an overview on the current autopilot setup before getting into more detail about what changed. One important aspect is that there are only two autopilot implementations in Aerofly FS2 currently. There is the basic autopilot that is found in the Cessna 172 and Baron B58 and there is an advanced autopilot which has more features and controls all the airliners: Airbus A320, Boeing B737, Boeing B747, C90GTx King Air, Learjet LJ45 and Dash8-Q400. These airliner-autopilots can be split into three groups: Airbus, Boeing and Bombardier autopilots. This autopilot update only affected the autopilot found in the airliners, the basic autopilot wasn't touched at all. 
  
-====Airbus (A320)====+=====Airbus (A320)=====
  
 **Changes to the autopilot in the A320** **Changes to the autopilot in the A320**
Line 277: Line 277:
  
 **ECAM** **ECAM**
 +
 +Before and after:
 +
 +{{:wiki:ecam.jpg?500|}}
 +
 +**ECAM memo**
 +   * added set lever to climb warning on ECAM memo
 +   * added autopilot disconnect (voluntary) and auto-thrust disconnect (voluntary and involuntary) 
 +   * added “cabin ready” annunciation
 +   * changed fuel on board, fuel flow and gross weight now rounded
 +   * prepared engine display for shut down engines (not enabled yet)
 +
 +**Changed N1 display**
 +   * adjusted look
 +   * changed lever position to a circle
 +   * added auto-thrust command arcs
 +   * added amber “REV” when reversers are in transition
 +
 +**Changed EGT display**
 +   * adjusted look
 +   * added max EGT tick 
 +
 +**Changed flap display**
 +   * completely redone 
 +   * more realistic look
 +   * displays now selected flap and slat target 
 +
 +====Basic A320 Advanced Flight Tutorial====
 +
 +Here is a short step by step for users getting started with advanced autopilot systems in the A320.
 +
 +1.**Plan your flight;** this will be loaded automatically into the A320
 +
 +2. **set the aircraft onto the runway;** this will set the cruise altitude and prepare everything for takeoff
 +
 +3. Advance thrust to **TOGA** or **FLX** and lift off
 +
 +4. After a couple of seconds after lift off **engage autopilot**
 +
 +5. when **LVR CLB** flashes on the PFD move the thrust levers down to **CLB detent**
 +
 +6. as speed increases above -S speed **retract the flaps**
 +
 +7 when the PFD shows **DECELERATE** or you see the top of descent on the Map and are close to it, scroll down the selected altitude so the arrival airport elevation + 2000ft or so. Push the **altitude** button in to begin descending
 +
 +8. when ILS is received and you're flight plan is about to make the last turn: press the **APPR** button to arm the ILS localizer and glide slope. **Engage second autopilot**
 +
 +9. set **flaps 1** and monitor speed. increase flaps when you are below the **amber =** on the speed scale
 +
 +10. **gear down** at about 2000ft radar altitude
 +
 +11. **flaps full** prior to reaching 1000ft, set autobrake to **MIN**, move the spoiler lever all the way forward to arm them (white marking visible)
 +
 +12. after the fully automatic landing **disconnect the autopilot**, touch the brakes to disengage them, taxi to gate, raise flaps, disarm spoilers, etc.
 +
 +
 +=====Boeing=====
 +
 +**Changes to the autopilot in the Boeing 747 and 737**
 +
 +The autopilot of the Boeings is a bit different compared to the Airbus style. It's a bit more hands on and requires more pilot interaction in some cases. Also pilot monitoring in approach is crucial.
 +
 +   * default flight director modes on ground is TO/GA on lateral and vertical axis when set on
 +   * when the aircraft is placed on the runway LNAV and VNAV are already armed so that you don't have to press anything after the takeoff.
 +      * heading synchronized
 +      * cruise altitude selected
 +      * selected speed is V2
 +   * TOGA button is available to trigger a go around and advance thrust for takeoff
 +   * when selected altitude is reduced prior to the top of descent the aircraft will start to descent automatically at TOD. This is different to the A320 which only descents when you press a button
 +   * autopilot is capable of fully automatic landing when arrival airport is equipped with an ILS. In the 737 you have to manually tune it now.
 +   * changed lateral modes:
 +      * basic mode is now bank if bank angle was above about 6 degrees and wing level -> heading hold if bank angle was smaller
 +      * HDG allows 360° turns
 +      * LOC uses track instead of heading to maintain on center - better for cross wind
 +   * added lateral modes:
 +      * TO/GA used for takeoff - wings level and then runway track
 +      * ROLLOUT - keeps aircraft on runway after touchdown
 +   * changed vertical modes:
 +      * VNAV PATH - already engages when reaching cruise altitude, remains active and descents aircraft if selected altitude is selected lower prior to top of descent
 +      * VNAV PATH - can be used to descent all the way down to minimums if approach is activated
 +   * added vertical modes:
 +      * VNAV SPD - uses managed airspeed and climb thrust to get up to cruise altitude
 +      * VNAV ALT - interrupted vertical navigation: levels off at selected altitude, speed remains managed. Altitude Intervention is also implemented in the 747: Select higher or lower altitude and press the altitude knob to continue the VNAV climb or descent. Engages when selected altitude is not reduced prior to TOD.
 +      * FLCH - uses currently selected airspeed to climb or descent towards target altitude
 +      * TO/GA - similar to the Airbus' SRS: Pitch the aircraft to maintain a speed of V2 + 10kts. In our light configuration of the 747 this mode is only active for couple of seconds
 +      * FLARE - touch down mode
 +      * ROLLOUT - lower nose (is actually not displayed on PFD)
 +   * changes to managed speed:
 +      * managed speed is affected by current flap settings: use vmax -5ks to climb and flap retraction speeds for approach phase
 +      * speed window is opened and closed depending on VNAV status
 +      * speed intervention is available in the 747: to manually override the vnav speed at any time push speed knob
 +   * added auto throttle modes:
 +      * THR REF - uses maximum thrust for the fight phase, TOGA during takeoff and CLB during climb. To engage THR REF on ground please assign a button to the new control command
 +      * HOLD - levers are unlocked an manual thrust lever movement is allowed. To do so you have to move the levers a little bit, otherwise the input is ignored
 +
 +**B737**
 +
 +   * added flight director priority lights on MCP
 +   * added moving buttons for MCP
 +   * added mach selection in MCP
 +   * added autopilot disconnect warning light
 +   * added altitude alert 
 +   * added gear lever now has an off position
 +   * added auto-brake disengage warning
 +   * added HSI mode can be changed to view lateral and vertical deviation from flight plan (toggle switch in glareshield, left and right of autopilot selection)
 +   * added flight mode annunciator 
 +   * changed automatic nav-tuning disabled per default
 +   * changed vertical speed can be stepped in 50 ft/min increments 
 +
 +**B747**
 +
 +Here is a comparison before and after: note that HOLD and V/S are not correct in the first picture, this has been fixed.
 +
 +{{:wiki:747beforeafter.jpg?500|}}
 +
 +   * added crew alerting system (CAS) with messages like auto-break status, autopilot warnings, takeoff configuration warning for spoilers, flaps, etc.
 +   * added THR REF limit for the auto-throttle system. Uses full thrust for takeoff and reduces to 90% after thrust reduction height
 +   * added buttons on glareshield are now moving
 +   * added vertical deviation to navigation display
 +   * added airport elevation visible on PFD
 +   * added autopilot bank limit selection
 +   * added auto-throttle keeps speed at or above flap retraction speed in VNAV during the approach
 +   * added VREF display
 +   * changed flight mode annunciator on PFD highlights new modes and displays correct names
 +   * changed flap retraction speed visible on PFD speed tape
 +   * changed top right information on ND
 +   * changed trend arc for turn doesn't overlap with center line and is white
 +   * changed total drag of the aircraft is reduced
 +   * changed when set to runway selected speed is V2
 +   * changed flap display is removed when flaps and flap selector are up, same with gear
 +   * changed ND plan mode
 +   * changed MCP buttons illuminated when its dark
 +   * changed: autothrottle "ARM" no longer displayed on PFD, "ALT" armed no longer displayed (and a few others)
 +
 +====Bombardier====
 +
 +**Changes to the autopilot in the C90GTx King Air, Learjet 45**
 +
 +These autopilots are again very different to Airbus or Boeing aircraft. They don't have an auto thrust or auto throttle installed and they have a manual navigation source selection. This means you have to give the autopilot a deviation and course that it fly towards. This can either be the localizer deviation, VOR deflection or FMS lateral offset. Depending on the selected source on your PFD or the PFD of the copilot side the aircraft will either fly the route or an ILS or VOR. And this can be used for either navigation receiver or FMS.
 +Also automatic frequency tuning (auto tuning) is not available here. And it can't autoland and therefor disengages at 50ft AGL.
 +
 +   * Added source selection:
 +      * C90Gtx: press obscured "NAV/BRG" key to the right of the PFD (see screenshot below). This steps through FMS, NAV1, NAV2
 +      * LJ45: press the button "FMS" or "NAV" in the glareshield in front of you repeatedly to select either FMS1/FMS2 or NAV1/NAV2
 +      * XFR or CPL pushbutton selects either left or right PFD (default left). The arrow -> or <- on the PFD indicates which side is used for the autopilot. And on that side the NAV source can be found near the compas rose, top left corner.
 +   * Changed lateral modes:
 +      * corrected basic modes: same as boeing: Bank hold if above 6deg, wing level followed by heading hold if below that
 +      * HDG: can now turn 360°
 +   * added lateral modes:
 +      * NAV key: either arms FMS or VOR (depending on nav source)
 +      * VOR: captures and flies a VOR radial (requires CRS and frequency to be set manually)
 +   * Changed vertical modes:
 +      * no VNAV climb available
 +      * VNAV PATH can be armed prior to top of descent if selected altitude is lower than current alt.
 +      * IAS climb/descent now synchronizes airspeed
 +      * VS now always synchronizes with current vertical speed
 +   * Added vertical modes:
 +      * APPR key: either arms LNAV + VNAV approach or LOC + G/S (depending on nav source)
 +      * basic vertical mode is pitch
 +      * added GA PITCH - just a fixed pitch guidance, cannot be flown by AP
 +      * VNAV can be used for the final approach
 +
 +**C90GTX**
 +
 +A Few changes here and there but mostly implementing the nav-source selection here. This is still work in progress.
 +
 +{{:wiki:sourse.jpg?500|}}
 +
 +   * added navigation source selection: FMS, NAV1, NAV2 including coupling to left or right HSI
 +   * added autopilot target vertical speed to vertical speed indicator
 +   * added autopilot buttons now move in virtual cockpit
 +   * added label “next page” to radio management unit
 +   * changed HSI displays course even if no signal is received, only course deviation indicator is removed
 +   * changed flight mode annunciator on PFD displays correct names for modes
 +   * changed navigation source legend on primary flight display now displays more realistically if no signal received or no if data present
 +   * changed flap display is not displayed all the time and but only if flaps actually change
 +   * fixed ADF frequency on radio management panel and PFD now visible again 
 +
 +**LJ45**
 +
 +{{:wiki:ljsourse.jpg?500|}}
 +
 +   * added crew alerting system (CAS) with info like status of auto-spoilers, warning spoilers extended, take off configuration warning: flaps, trim, etc.
 +   * added take off warning affected items boxed in red on EICAS
 +   * added altitude alert
 +   * added FMS mode (TERM, APPR or enroute) displayed on PFD
 +   * added reduced bank limit for autopilot
 +   * added animated buttons in virtual cockpit 
 +   * added approach capability displayed on PFD
 +   * added MFD TCAS view
 +   * added AP and YD disconnect warnings now flashing
 +   * changed flight mode annunciator highlights new modes and displays correct names
 +   * changed selecting vertical speed mode hides selected speed and vice versa.
 +   * changed trim display on EICAS 
 +   * changed MFD top left FMS information hidden when no route available
 +   * fixed auto-spoilers now only deploy above 60 kts ground speed 
 +
 +
 +
  
  
  
  
manual/autopilot.1501271887.txt.gz · Last modified: 2017/07/28 21:58 by jf