Help with Hold Heading Autopilot

Hi Andy,

I'm sorry for the slow reply. Life has been hectic for the last few weeks and I haven't had time to read the forums I usually participate in. I'm going to have a look at this information and will get back with probably some questions :smile-new:

Just wanted to let you know information like this is always appreciated, as with every post on this thread I've learned something!

Thank you :encouragement:

Bill
 
In the future, without having to EVEN look at cfg (or panel), Hit 'Z' to Activate Auto Pilot, then hit 'Ctrl+Z' to Activate Alt Hold (at present altitude), then hit 'Ctrl+H' to Activate Heading Hold (at present heading). 'Click, click, click..' and you will know if you have AutoPilot capabilities with any airplane. Click of 'Ctrl+H' will De-Activate Heading Hold. Click of 'Ctrl+Z' will De-Activate Alt Hold. And, or course, you should De-Activate AutoPilot by pressing the 'Z' key (you shouldn't leave AP on..it might lock your rudder, etc). If something don't work right THEN you can go dig into the aircraft cfg (AND the air file 'auto pilot' sections) or the panel cfg. The beauty is that you can use this while in chase view just as well.
Chuck B
Napamule
 
Pullman Dynamics

Andy,
Quote: 'the Pullman...it really is the worst handling airplane I've ever tried to fly'

You are correct. Really messed up. From A to Z. But I worked on it and it is much better. It turns on taxi now (with differential braking) if you keep it at 5 to 8 kts. It is still not right ('in the air' turns - nose dips too much) but is manageable. Lands ok ... IF you use a lot of up pitch trim and throttle at idle or just above. Will finish the FDEs tonight and upload tomorrow (to FltSim Com at least).
Chuck B
Napamule
PS: Sorry about ('semi') hi-jack of thread.
 
Hi,
Please don't think I was criticizing Edward Cook for his aircraft.:applause: I imagine it was really like that in the early days. Bits of string and wire stretching and bending as you try to control it's flight; ash and fabric adjusting themselves as the temperature changes during the day and season.
Early aviators, probably some of the maddest and bravest characters you would ever wish to meet.

Andy.
 
Andy,
Sorry, but the Pullman was totally messed up. Can't say why, but it was. Sorry Mr Cook. I downloaded model from his site, and I did not see any 'fix' files for it.

So, I fixed it, like I said, and now it flys 'normal' in sim. Not sure if it was that bad in 'real life' (but I imagine it COULDN'T be). I put it in FSX Acceleration (changed the prop bmp, from FSX default Beechcraft Duke) and it flys good in that too. Added floats (in case your engines quit due to bad gas or whatever) when over water. Not done yet.
Chuck B
Napamule
 
Quote: 'P.S. Maybe Edward Cook is the only guy who can put an autopilot on the Pullman..'

Well, I put the AP in the Pullman (tweaked cfg and air file) and Alt and Hdg work good. Delay in upload due to real life 'activity'. Have tonight free, so by Monday for sure I will upload the new FDE's. There was also a delay due to my looking at Tom Clayton's tweaks for the TriMotor (interesting). I decided to try the default TriMotor FDEs for use with Pullman (had to add 1 engine) and the results look very good. Have to test tonight to choose which is better.

If you like the results, perhaps I could look into working on the OP's other 'problem' aircraft (which I don't now have, but could download) and work on those FDEs ir needed. A lot of times the simmer just figures it's the model that has a problem, but it then turns out it was the FDEs. Right? Right!
Chuck B
Napamule
 
Thanks for your work on the Pullman, Chuck!

I'll be one of the first to download it when you're done as I had given up on flying it :encouragement:

And I also appreciate your adding an autopilot. Although I know this plane wouldn't have had one, I like to imagine turning it over to my copilot once I'm in route so I can jump out to Spot View and enjoy the scenery.

Just being able to use the keyboard commands you listed above is enough. I'm not looking for the "have added modern avionics" treatment on these vintage planes, just looking for the "handed off to copilot" feature :smile-new:

Bill
 
Bill,
Today was my 'day off' (ha). Did nothing today. (But did make a Mallard video-see Shupe's Mallard thread). Will get to it 'tamale'. It's done, just need to put it in zip (where does the time go?!?). Cheers.
Chuck B
Napamule
Edit: Here is new FDEs. I said 'Monday' so it's on time (it's 12:55 am).
 

Attachments

  • bristol pullman fdes.zip
    29.7 KB · Views: 0
Last edited:
New Cfg

Sorry guys. Seems like I sent the wrong aircraft cfg which was not finished, as far as AP was concerned. Drats. I got quite a shock when I went flying it this morning. Bugus. So I checked and sure enough I messed up. My apologies. I had to take 2 aspirins to calm down. But it's good now. Disregard the prior zip file. This is the same air files (Trimotor-which I recommend for x,y,z reasons and the pulman-which is modified original but not as good as the trimotor air file). This 'new' cfg will work in FS9 and FSX. I included camera view in case you fly it in FSX.
Chuck B
Napamule
PS: I wondered why you guys were so quiet. I don't get my feelings hurt if I screw up and you let me know. It's 'business', not personal. Cheers.
 

Attachments

  • bristol pullman files.zip
    30 KB · Views: 0
No Speed in FS9

Well, I left a section (for FSX) that don't work for FS9 (ie: you won't see speed on gauges). Comment out the airspeed_indicators - like this:

//[airspeed_indicators] //un comment for FSX
//airspeed_indicator.0=1
//airspeed_indicator.1=1

That should be it for now. (Phew).
Chuck B
 
Excellent. I think you will like how it flys. I do. Compared to how it was before, anyway. It's all throttle and pitch trim. In fact, use -1.2 (neg) pitch trim to take off. Couldn't take that out. Then when you get to desired alt and with AP on the pitch trim will be auto set. On approach (25% power and 70 kts) the pitch trim will go to 0.0. Then 1/2 mile out and 60 kts you might need up to +1.2 pitch trim (not too bad) for landing. Cut throttle over fence, pull back on stick for flair, and land 50 kts. It slows without much braking. Sweet.
Chuck B
Napamule
 
Wow, what a difference, Chuck!

Thank you for fixing the Pullman :encouragement:

I had given up on it as it just didn't seem right, plus couldn't get an AP to work (your AP install is working fine now). Now flying it in the Bahamas in Air Hauler and able to turn it over to the copilot so I can enjoy the view while in transit.

Cheers!
 
Winning

Fantastic. I am glad to hear the files work. I almost gave up on hearing from anyone concerning the Pullman. I came in here tonight (it's 11 pm) to check ONE MORE TIME (must of checked 40-11 times). It gives me a warm feeling inside to hear my efforts made someone else happy (even if it's just one person-honest). I love 'low and slow' flying. You can have the big iron. Made my day. Cheers.
Chuck B
 
lemonadedrinker said:
Hi, I found it quite awkward to post up images of panel changes as they become too blurred to read...! but I'm going to post up a panel cfg as text and see if that works, so here goes

OK this is from the beautiful G12..


[Window Titles]
//Window00=2D COCKPIT VIEW <<<just to lose the 2D window, the following Window numbers must be reset.
Window00=RDF PLOT <<<< now the FS9 big GPS.
Window01=PART OF WIRELESS OPERATORS PANEL
Window02=PART OF FLIGHT ENGINEER PANEL
Window03=EXTRA GAUGES <<<< DH89 Autopilot see below!


[VIEWS]
VIEW_FORWARD_WINDOWS=0,GPS_PANEL,RADIO_STACK_PANEL,200,150

VIEW_FORWARD_DIR=10.5, 0.000, 0.000





//++++++++++++++++++++++++
[Window00]
Background_color=0,0,0
size_mm=337,281
window_size=0.5
position=6
visible=0
ident=GPS_PANEL

gauge00=fs9gps!gps_500, 0,0,337,281


//++++++++++++++++++++++++
[Window01]
Background_color=0,0,0
size_mm=680, 335
window_size=0.485
position=6
visible=0
ident=RADIO_STACK_PANEL

gauge00=G12_V10!Radio, 0,0,680,335

//++++++++++++++++++++++++
[Window02]
file=G12_panel2.bmp
size_mm=353,544
window_size=0.25
position=6
visible=0
ident=200

gauge00=G12_V10!pcmeneg_master_ign, 88,445,99,98
gauge01=G12_V10!pcmeneg_magn1, 2,371,90,89
gauge02=G12_V10!pcmeneg_magn2, 93,344,90,89
gauge03=G12_V10!pcmeneg_magn3, 184,371,90,89
gauge04=G12_V10!pcmeneg_fuel_centr_e, 306,334,20,200
gauge05=G12_V10!pcmeneg_fuel_left_e, 284,334,20,200
gauge06=G12_V10!pcmeneg_fuel_right_e, 327,334,20,200
gauge07=G12_V10!pcmeneg_S81_starter1, 207,470,24,67
gauge08=G12_V10!pcmeneg_S81_starter2, 231,470,24,67
gauge09=G12_V10!pcmeneg_S81_starter3, 255,470,24,67
gauge10=G12_V10!pcmeneg_CHT1, 5,25,114,111
gauge11=G12_V10!pcmeneg_CHT2, 120,25,114,111
gauge12=G12_V10!pcmeneg_CHT3, 238,25,114,111
gauge13=G12_V10!pcmeneg_carb_temp1, 0,255,93,93
gauge14=G12_V10!pcmeneg_carb_temp2, 94, 255 ,93,93
gauge15=G12_V10!pcmeneg_carb_temp3, 188,255,93,93
gauge16=G12_V10!pcmeneg_S81_oiltemp1, 0,139,117,117
gauge17=G12_V10!pcmeneg_S81_oiltemp2, 118,139,117,117
gauge18=G12_V10!pcmeneg_S81_oiltemp3, 236,139,117,117
gauge19=G12_V10!pcmeneg_prop_de-ice, 12,483,31,46
gauge20=G12_V10!pcmeneg_struct_de-ice, 53,483,31,46
gauge21=dsd_view_skip!no_2d, 0,0,5,5 <<<<<This is a fantastic gauge from Doug Dawson to pass over empty 2D or VC views.


//--------------------------------------------------------
[Window03]
Background_color=0,0,0
size_mm=541,238
window_size=0.4755
position=0
visible=0
ident=75


gauge00=Dh89a_autopilot!Dh89a_autopilot_main, 359,2,181,236
gauge01=Dh89a_autopilot!Dh89a_autopilot_hdg, 180,2,178,163
gauge02=Dh89a_autopilot!Dh89a_ils, 182,167,175,69
gauge03=Dh89a_autopilot!nav1_radio, 2,2,177,232


//++++++++++++++++++++++++
[Vcockpit01]
Background_color=0,0,0
size_mm=512,512
visible=0
pixel_size=512
texture=$G12_1

gauge00=g12_v10!pcmeneg_alt_10000, 0,0,159,178
gauge01=g12_v10!pcmeneg_turn, 167,0,117,117
gauge02=g12_v10!mvg_IAS_450m, 288,0,200,200
gauge03=G12_V10!pcmeneg_SS_attitude, 0,179,159,176
gauge04=g12_v10!pcmeneg_gear_G12_vc, 172,202,175,175
gauge05=g12_v10!pcmeneg_press_gear, 0,358,120,120
gauge06=g12_v10!pcmeneg_press_flap, 122,380,120,120
gauge07=g12_v10!pcmeneg_feather_lights, 348,201,162,31
gauge08=g12_v10!compass_popup, 349,235,162,163
gauge09=g12_v10!pcmeneg_vacuum, 244,400,111,110
gauge10=g12_v10!pcmeneg_press10, 175,118,78,81
gauge11=g12_v10!pcmeneg_press50, 356,400,78,81
gauge12=simicons1024!kneeboard icon, 436,413,19,19
gauge13=simicons1024!map icon, 455,413,19,19
gauge14=simicons1024!atc icon, 474, 413 ,19,19
gauge15=simicons1024!gps icon, 436,432,19,19
gauge16=simicons1024!radio icon, 455,432,19,19
gauge17=simicons1024!engine instruments icon, 474,432,19,19
gauge18=g12_v10!extra_gauges_icon, 493,432,19,19


//++++++++++++++++++++++++
[Vcockpit02]
Background_color=0,0,0
size_mm=512,512
visible=0
pixel_size=512
texture=$G12_2

gauge00=g12_v10!pcmeneg_eng1_press_S81, 0,0,133,133
gauge01=g12_v10!pcmeneg_eng2_press_S81, 135,0,133,133
gauge02=g12_v10!pcmeneg_eng3_press_S81, 270,0,133,133
gauge03=g12_v10!mvg_ita_rpm_m1, 0,134,143,144
gauge04=g12_v10!mvg_ita_rpm_m2, 144,134,143,144
gauge05=g12_v10!mvg_ita_rpm_m3, 289,134,143,144
gauge06=g12_v10!mvg_ita_oilpress_m1, 0,403,102,102
gauge07=g12_v10!mvg_ita_oilpress_m2, 103,403,102,102
gauge08=g12_v10!mvg_ita_oilpress_m3, 205,403,102,102
gauge09=g12_v10!mvg_ita_fpress_m1, 309,403,98,98
gauge10=g12_v10!mvg_ita_fpress_m2, 368,303,98,98
gauge11=g12_v10!mvg_ita_fpress_m3, 408,403,98,98
gauge12=g12_v10!pcmeneg_compass_tag, 433,134,79,164


//++++++++++++++++++++++++
[Vcockpit03]
Background_color=0,0,0
size_mm=512,512
visible=0
pixel_size=512
texture=$G12_3

gauge00=g12_v10!pcmeneg_S81_Vspeed, 0,0,153,153
gauge01=g12_v10!pcmeneg_SS_gyro, 154,0,200,200
gauge02=g12_v10!mvg_ita_ORA_m, 358,0,150,150
gauge03=g12_v10!sperry_autopilot, 0,309,335,203
gauge04=g12_v10!pcmeneg_RG37_IRR, 0,155,154,71
gauge05=g12_v10!pcmeneg_cowlG12_1, 421,311,30,200
gauge06=g12_v10!pcmeneg_cowlG12_2, 451,311,30,200
gauge07=g12_v10!pcmeneg_cowlG12_3, 481,311,30,200
gauge08=g12_v10!pcmeneg_low_fuel_lights, 356,150,152,30
gauge09=g12_v10!pcmeneg_deviation, 0,228,180,60
gauge10=g12_v10!pcmeneg_OAT, 392,186,120,120


//++++++++++++++++++++++++
[Vcockpit04]
Background_color=0,0,0
size_mm=512,512
visible=0
pixel_size=512
texture=$G12_4

gauge00=g12_v10!radio_compass_mf, 340,0,143,144
gauge01=g12_v10!aeg_afn1_8dme_VC, 204,0,135,135



[Color]
Day=255,255,255
Night=225,117,89
Luminous=200,200,101

[Default View]
X=0
Y=0
SIZE_X=8191
SIZE_Y=6143

I'll post this and check for any changes I made to the cfg.

Andy.

added in cfg bits : I think I only added in about the autopilot being available:

[Radios]
Com.1 = 1
Nav.1 = 1,0,1
Adf.1 = 1
Adf.2 = 1
Audio.1 = 1
Marker.1 = 1

[lights]
------

[keyboard_response]
elevator =200, 1000
aileron =200, 1000
rudder =200, 1000

[direction_indicators]
direction_indicator.0=1,0
direction_indicator.1=2,0

[attitude_indicators]
attitude_indicator.0 = 1
attitude_indicator.1 = 2

[turn_indicators]
turn_indicator.0=2,0

[autopilot]
autopilot_available= 1
flight_director_available = 1
pitch_takeoff_ga=0
default_vertical_speed=500.0000 << lowered the default climb rate>>>>>
autothrottle_available=0
direction_indicator=1
max_pitch=10.000000
max_pitch_acceleration=1.000000
max_pitch_velocity_lo_alt=2.000000
max_pitch_velocity_hi_alt=1.500000
max_pitch_velocity_lo_alt_breakpoint=20000.000000
max_pitch_velocity_hi_alt_breakpoint=28000.000000
max_bank=25
max_bank_acceleration=1.800000
max_bank_velocity=3.000000
max_throttle_rate=0.100000
nav_proportional_control=9.000000
nav_integrator_control=0.250000
nav_derivative_control=0.000000
nav_integrator_boundary=2.500000
nav_derivative_boundary=0.000000
gs_proportional_control=9.520000
gs_integrator_control=0.260000
gs_derivative_control=0.000000
gs_integrator_boundary=0.700000
gs_derivative_boundary=0.000000
yaw_damper_gain = 0.0
default_bank_mode=2

Andy.
Click to expand...

Hi Andy,

I finally got the G12 downloaded and plan on installing it in the next few days. Just curious what to look for in your panel.cfg listed above. Does it fix the autopilot, or does it do other things also.

Thanks!

Bill

P.S. Thank you to everyone who helped me in this thread. Because of all this great info I've now been able to add autopilot to every plane I've encountered without it so far (knock on wood) except the Pullman which Chuck fixed (thank you, Chuck).
 
You are very welcome and it was my pleasure. There is nothing like 'smooth' sailing, even if it takes a little bit of work. Cheers.
Chuck B
 
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