Auto pilot woes

Discussion Hub General Discussion
1

So flying in Florida today real weather around 1pm in the default C172 G1000 with 22knt winds the Autopilot was struggling to do anything. I know it’s a 22knt wind gusting up to 30.

However the Auto pilot went crazy, massive up and down pitching to loss of control, disengaging the auto pilot caused huge pitches both up and down.

This needs looking at, the Auto pilot is definitely doing a lot wrong in certain conditions. Also is it supposed to fly using soly pitch?

I don’t know but there is something very wrong. Also with the latest patch all my planes are now rotating to the right on the ground or in the Air. .

2

Maybe you just answer your own question. The AP will not work well if you config is telling the aircraft to roll or yaw all the time.

Id suggests making sure assists are off and you keyboard and stick bindings are correct with no duplicate bindings.

3

Maximum crosswind in a 172, if I’m recalling correctly, is 20kts flaps up. You really don’t want to push 15 knots crosswind - the thing bobs and rocks like a boat in rough seas. I’m not saying the AP doesn’t need fixing, as it does need to be worked on more, but you’re still pushing this past maximum limits.

Edit: it’s 15kts flaps full for landing according to POH.

4

Generally the maximum demonstrated crosswind component only applies to takeoffs and landings, not for cruise flight. In cruise you can just keep crabbing into the wind, up to a theoretical limit of 90 degrees.
Regards

5

I was thinking he was utilizing the AP for an approach :slight_smile:

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6

My config is not telling the aircraft to do anything as I’m not touching anything flight control related. I think you misunderstood.

7

No. This was in the crz phase.

8

I recently flew a departure northbound from CYVR in the King Air. 40 - 50 knot winds over the mountains. Until I got above FL220 I was bouncing between overspeed and stall with massive pitch changes. Disconnected AP and hand flew through the turbulence. Encountered 2500 fpm updrafts and downdrafts. Was one of those flights where you would have been blue under the shoulder straps by the end. 30 knot gusts even in cruise, near any terrain at 172 type altitudes is going to be bumpy. The AP is not equipped for handling that. Airmanship and experience along with maneuvering spd is required.