I can’t seem to get a handle on using the Autopilot Altitude functions on the non-FMC aircraft. I can see that it is differen than tjhe old sims such as FSX, where you set the desired altitude, switched on AP and Alt and the plane went to the altitude entered. You could also adjust the vertical speed as it was doing this. (That seems like the most logical and straightforward method of attaining the desired altitude- why is it not real-world?)
ow the only thing that happens when I switch on Alt is that the plane levels out at the currect altitude. So it’s really an “altitude hold”. I have read about the FLC and VS funtions to change altitude but, at least when I tried that with these two aircraft, it just didn’t work for me. When I hit set a new altitude and hit FLC (Flight Change) nothing happened. If I hit VS the plane will go to the set altitude but I have to constantly change the VS so the speed doesn’t drop drastically. What am I doing wrong?
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When you hit FLC it captures the speed you’re at so the only way it would start to climb if in level flight is if you were to push the power up to gain speed and thus it will pitch up to avoid picking up speed, you’re accelerating when you hit FLC, or if you were to roll back the selected speed. If you’re in a climb and hit FLC it will keep climbing and adjust pitch as needed to maintain that speed. My advice is to establish the climb speed then hit FLC and make any adjustments to the selected speed as needed. Using VS mode in a climb is a bad idea as the autopilot could stall the aircraft. In FLC mode this isn’t going to happen. At most the aircraft just won’t climb anymore if it can’t maintain the selected speed.
In the 930, to climb using FLC, you need to set your desired altitude and then engage FLC and use the VS increase/decrease rotary to select climb speed (don’t use VS, just use the VS rotary switch). For example, you’re at 10,000’ and 250knots, and you want to climb to FL 180. Dial in 18000’ for your altitude in the PFD altitude box (sorry, wish I was near my computer so I could post screenshots!), then turn the rotary until you get your desired climb speed (e.g. 170 knots) showing on the PFD scoreboard next to the letters “FLC”. The plane will climb at that speed (and automatically adjust the vertical speed as needed to maintain that speed) all the way to the altitude you selected.
I’ll try to post some screenshots tomorrow.
Regards
P.S. you can just set power to cruise (e.g. I use 95% for cruise speed) leave it there. Obviously you’ll need to adjust the thrust lever to maintain cruise torque as you climb, and at some point you’ll max out your thrust lever at 100% and the max torque will start dropping below 95%, but it will continue to climb at your desired airspeed (don’t get too aggressive with desired speed!) and your VS will start dropping. That’s just normal behavior.
P.S.S. Seems like you’re doing fine now, but here’s some pics
I Just hit the FLC button, and getting ready to turn the FS rotary to select climb speed:
Turned the VS rotary to get 170 kts climb speed (in red circle). Keep cruise speed torque setting, and watch the rate of climb. It will automatically start fairly high since you’re at a high airspeed when you select the desired climb speed.
IAS has dropped on it’s own per the FLC mode and the climb angle, and settled at the desired climb speed, rate of climb has decreased as expected for lower IAS. The torque has started to drop (very slightly). I will usually push it back up to the 95% I use for cruise/climb.
I just did my first successful flight in the King Air. Used the flightplanner, did an ILS approach… YAY!! It is a long road/big learning curve compared to FSX but I am finally on my way. After a bit I’ll try an airliner- I’m sure THAT will be a challenge.
Any suiuggestions as to which one to start with?
If the version you bought has the Dreamliner, that model is working in both 2020 and 2024. Depending on your flight sim experience/aviation knowledge, may be a bit of a learning curve?
Actually I have a lot of simming experience and aviation knowledge, but making the jump to FS2020 (and hopefully 2024 when it it more or less ready…) is definitely a learning curve. Thanks.
Definitely the Dreamliner then! It has the most hassle-free implementation in both 2020 and 24, IMO. You may want to check out a website called SimBrief, if you have not already, and if you have not used it, you don’t need the subscription version to generate downloadable flight plans for the 787-10. The implementation in 2020 is very good indeed. There are a lot more nuances to the Airbus implementations, IMO, which is just to say that there are perhaps more steps and set-up gotchas between planning and flying. Cheers!
