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  • Please see the most recent updates in the "Where did the .com name go?" thread. Posts number 16 and 17.

    Post 16 Update

    Post 17 Warning

Helo "Long Distance" Flying

I think its an update the one from dirks sites, its not the complete AP, it seemed to me missing things compared to the other version

i ditched it when i tried it earlier this yr and went with one I knew that works 110% over at hover control, if your still not having any luck, I have a TS server, we can jump on and talk our way thru it
 
jeansy said:
I think its an update the one from dirks sites, its not the complete AP, it seemed to me missing things compared to the other version

i ditched it when i tried it earlier this yr and went with one I knew that works 110% over at hover control, if your still not having any luck, I have a TS server, we can jump on and talk our way thru it
Click to expand...

That may be why it worked for me, I had the gauge from HC's library already installed in panels, and have had for years. Sorry, didn't consider that. :kilroy:
The latest version I was trying to post has the groundspeed panel attached to the bottom of it.
That's the version I use, this might be the correct page instead as I remember it had the YouTube video, now.
Does appear it is only an upgrade so you must need the original from HC.
http://www.dirkfassbender.de/autopilot.html
 
Dain Arns said:
That may be why it worked for me, I had the gauge from HC's library already installed in panels, and have had for years. Sorry, didn't consider that. :kilroy:
The latest version I was trying to post has the groundspeed panel attached to the bottom of it.
That's the version I use, this might be the correct page instead as I remember it had the YouTube video, now.
Does appear it is only an upgrade so you must need the original from HC.
http://www.dirkfassbender.de/autopilot.html
Click to expand...


Ahhh, i did notice the different features, but the essentials never worked correctly for me, but i never tried to update it afterwards as i never thought about it again

might do that now
 
This has been an enlightening thread. I've discovered that there actually are folks who are able to fly long distances in the sim-world using a Helicopter. I found out that Autopilots are used in helicopters RW, and that there is an autopilot for use in FSX.

Going back to the Autopilot for FSX. It apparently works for some which is good, it gives you ability to do those long, boring Helicopter flights without your arm falling asleep trying to hold straight and level flight for an hour or two. I've read the instructions for use quite a few times but they seem to imply a previous knowledge of the program as I see no real "from the beginning" instructions. There is no readout for the Hdg (I've watched the Hdg Bug on the HSI and it never moves), the IAS never shows fwd movement even at 120kias. . .depending on what button you hit, the annunciator goes completely dark and nothing seems to bring it back and controlled fwd flight (using the AP) is not happening.

I'm going to do some more experimenting but for the time being, the AP is a bust as it has been on previous attempts. I do appreciate all the input from you guys, it's good to get a wide range of opinions and suggestions and I wish I could figure out where the roadblock is (probably my 65yr old brain).

Thanks again!!:salute:
 
I've been doing some more searching and found some references to two cfg files that at least at one time needed to be placed in the main FSX folder (AFCP.cfg & AP1.cfg), are those replaced by the HAPX.dll file from the current version as they are not included in the current downloads?
 
falcon409 said:
I've been doing some more searching and found some references to two cfg files that at least at one time needed to be placed in the main FSX folder (AFCP.cfg & AP1.cfg), are those replaced by the HAPX.dll file from the current version as they are not included in the current downloads?
Click to expand...

I don't think so, I thought the HAPX.dll was for the groundspeed panel.
I know I use the panel.cfg entry from that second page I linked with the update.

EDIT: You are remembering to add the Windowxx=Autopilot title at the top of the panel.cfg file?
I forget to do that sometimes myself.
 
Dain Arns said:
I don't think so, I thought the HAPX.dll was for the groundspeed panel.
I know I use the panel.cfg entry from that second page I linked with the update.

EDIT: You are remembering to add the Windowxx=Autopilot title at the top of the panel.cfg file?
I forget to do that sometimes myself.
Click to expand...
Yes I did add the Windows entries. I just don't get the displays in the Annunciator. . .even the exact wording for the panel.cfg entry seems to be up for debate as I've seen several different ones here, yet neither of them is done the way the instructions on his site say it should be done (full DOS string). I have the entire DOS location string in the panel.cfg entry (D:\Program Files\Flight Simulator X\SimObjects\Rotorcraft\Alpha AH-64A Apache).
 
Okay, but you are getting the popup panel?

EDIT: If so I'll link this page will explain how to use it better than I can...
http://www.dirkfassbender.de/AFCP/how_to_fly.html

I never use the autohover, I only use the autopilot, I prefer to land by hand.
So I know you have to be above 200' AGL and 40+ kts to engage the STAB button.

Remember, FS doesn't think helicopters should have autopliots, so this is a compromise.
It does have a leanring curve to use this.
 
Dain Arns said:
Okay, but you are getting the popup panel?

EDIT: If so I'll link this page will explain how to use it better than I can...
http://www.dirkfassbender.de/AFCP/how_to_fly.html

I never use the autohover, I only use the autopilot, I prefer to land by hand.
So I know you have to be above 200' AGL and 40+ kts to engage the STAB button.

Remember, FS doesn't think helicopters should have autopilots, so this is a compromise.
It does have a learning curve to use this.
Click to expand...
Yep, getting the popup is no problem, and I'm finding out that this is much like a basic AP, there are no adjustments for altitude or heading once they are set. You have to disengage, go to a new heading and altitude then turn those back on to hold what you have.
 
falcon409 said:
Yep, getting the popup is no problem, and I'm finding out that this is much like a basic AP, there are no adjustments for altitude or heading once they are set. You have to disengage, go to a new heading and altitude then turn those back on to hold what you have.
Click to expand...

Yeah I edited my post above to include this, but you had already replied:
http://www.dirkfassbender.de/AFCP/how_to_fly.html

Don't hit the rectangle ALT button, hit the top of the round ALT.A instead, that starts the adjustment.
Then if you move down either side of that dial you get a +/- to adjust ALT.
Then you need to do the same to the V/S dial to adjust your ascent/descent rates.

Like I said, it has a learning curve, but for a long flight it's nice when you need a break.
 
Dain Arns said:
Yeah I edited my post above to include this, but you had already replied:
http://www.dirkfassbender.de/AFCP/how_to_fly.html

Don't hit the rectangle ALT button, hit the top of the round ALT.A instead, that starts the adjustment.
Then if you move down either side of that dial you get a +/- to adjust ALT.
Then you need to do the same to the V/S dial to adjust your ascent/descent rates.

Like I said, it has a learning curve, but for a long flight it's nice when you need a break.
Click to expand...
Yep, getting the hang of it now. Took about a 10minute flight playing with the adjustments. . .like you, I still prefer to land by hand, but "hands-off" in a Heli is a nice change. Thanks for the additional info and suggestions.:salute:
 
Autopilot Yes!

Falcon,

As a former (retired) real world helo pilot I can tell you that we used our "autopilot" system extensively. I flew for both the Army and Coast Guard. The AH-1 Cobras I flew in the Army did not have any autopilot systems installed. They had a friction lock type device on the collective to provide some "stiffness" to the control for maintaining a manually set altitude so that you could temporarily remove your left hand from the collective control stick to reach other things in the cockpit. But this was OK for attack helicopters as our missions normally were about two hours (and usually low level tactical missions) and did not involve long distance ferry flights. The HH-65A Dolphins that I flew in the Coast Guard had the ability to maintain altitude and heading with a heading hold and altitude hold function. In addtion, we could couple the flight management system to follow navigation (GPS, LORAN, VOR/ILS, NDB, TACAN) commands automatically. So we could fly fully coupled (or partially coupled) approaches to airports, navaids, or any position we entered in our flight plan (to include any point over the water), and we had a hover hold capability. This abilty was a tremendous help in reducing workload on the pilots particularly when doing long searches at night over the ocean. We also used the system when we self deployed to meet our cutters where ever they were. When I was stationed at Coast Guard Air Station Miami (late 1980s), we routinely deployed from Opa Locka Airport and flew to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Port au Prince, Haiti as single a ship. Later in my career, flying out of Northbend, Oregon, we flew long range fisheries patrols far out into the Pacific to monitor commercial fishery activities as well as doing search and rescue operations in all weather. Having an aircraft able to navigate, hold altitude and heading in rough weather was also helpful in reducing pilot fatigue. Having this ability in FSX with the helicopters makes it more realistic.
 
sarwulf said:
Falcon,

As a former (retired) real world helo pilot I can tell you that we used our "autopilot" system extensively. I flew for both the Army and Coast Guard. The AH-1 Cobras I flew in the Army did not have any autopilot systems installed. They had a friction lock type device on the collective to provide some "stiffness" to the control for maintaining a manually set altitude so that you could temporarily remove your left hand from the collective control stick to reach other things in the cockpit. But this was OK for attack helicopters as our missions normally were about two hours (and usually low level tactical missions) and did not involve long distance ferry flights. The HH-65A Dolphins that I flew in the Coast Guard had the ability to maintain altitude and heading with a heading hold and altitude hold function. In addtion, we could couple the flight management system to follow navigation (GPS, LORAN, VOR/ILS, NDB, TACAN) commands automatically. So we could fly fully coupled (or partially coupled) approaches to airports, navaids, or any position we entered in our flight plan (to include any point over the water), and we had a hover hold capability. This ability was a tremendous help in reducing workload on the pilots particularly when doing long searches at night over the ocean. We also used the system when we self deployed to meet our cutters where ever they were. When I was stationed at Coast Guard Air Station Miami (late 1980s), we routinely deployed from Opa Locka Airport and flew to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Port au Prince, Haiti as single a ship. Later in my career, flying out of Northbend, Oregon, we flew long range fisheries patrols far out into the Pacific to monitor commercial fishery activities as well as doing search and rescue operations in all weather. Having an aircraft able to navigate, hold altitude and heading in rough weather was also helpful in reducing pilot fatigue. Having this ability in FSX with the helicopters makes it more realistic.
Click to expand...
Great information "sarwulf" and thank you for your service. I'm regularly impressed watching "Coast Guard Alaska" and the missions those folks fly every single day in ridiculous weather conditions. Your hands-on perspective is greatly appreciated. I'm getting the hang of the AP as I do each new flight and it is refreshing to be able to not have to fight the controls, especially "pitch" to keep the Heli from stalling, lol. Thanks again!!:salute:
 
Sundog said:
Does anyone know if this Helo AP will work with Rob B's Helo trim add on?
Click to expand...

I don't have that one installed anymore, I used to and don't remember any problems (It's been a few years).
I have the trim addon that comes with FS Force, which can be set for use of either the FS Force or FSX trim for individual aircraft.
That works just fine with the Cougar AP, so I would guess that Rob's should work too, since I think they are pretty similar.
 
To have a virtual copilot as we do in the real world, I have Dirk's AP installed in all my FSX helos, even the R22. It's far from cheating and allows one to play with other systems in a complex model like Cerasim's B222. Many of the functions in Dirk's gauge are available real world, with auto hover and auto depart/approach to a hover.
 
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