What is going on with the Skyhawk? The last three flights I have taken in it, unmodded, I engage the auto pilot and the nose climbs straight up into a stall. Even with full throttle engaged, then manipulated. Mixture is also correct. Is there something wrong with the trim system on AP?
Moved your topic into #bugs-and-issues:aircraft-systems since it’s not about airports ![]()
What altitude mode is set when you engage AP?
Not quite sure how that ended up in the wrong thread, still. I don’t have an altitude mode engaged, just straight and level. Hit AP for a quiet life and up she goes.
I tried recreating this based upon your initial post.
Disclaimer: I am using Working Title G1000 v0.3.7 (latest version). It shouldn’t really matter, as the base AP functionality wasn’t what WT changed, at least according to memory of conversations on their Discord server.
I see one case where your situation can happen. If you see your Flight Director Command Bars (Magenta) present on the pitch ladder before you turn AP On, then the aircraft will pitch accordingly to meet the Command Bars. If they’re sufficiently high enough, then yes the AP will try to meet that immediately, even if it means an impossibly high ascent rate.
Nominal Situation:
After take-off, AP Off, establish trimmed straight & level:
AP On - ROL PIT hold heading and altitude.
Possibly Your Situation:
After take-off, AP Off, establish trimmed straight & level but note Command Bars:
AP On, Aircraft pitches to meet Command Bars - note very aggressive ascent rate (1000 fpm):
Edited to add: if none of this applies, you might have a trim or elevator binding stuck somewhere or duplicated?
If you’re trimming for straight and level before engaging the AP, press the ALT button before the AP button. That should set the altitude hold to the current level, and indicate as such in the status lines.
Personally, I like to plan ahead - including the AP. I set my baro (B), then hit the ALT button and dial in my desired level. Next is either VS and set that to 700, or FLC set to 100 (can be adjusted later). I also set my roll guidance to one of either Heading, or Nav (usually GPS with the Magenta needle on the CDI). All of this activates the flight director (magenta chevrons, aka Command Bars). Once I’m off the ground and cleared to turn by ATC, all I have to do it hit the AP button and the servos take over. All I have to do then is manage the power.
Thanks all for all the help, though I never had this issue before with the Skyhawk. I guess a few updates have changed how things function? I will go back and try again.
A lot of similar complaints have turned out to be an input issue, such as having something bound to the same key on the keyboard that controls the elevators or rudders. While you’re using another input device for manual control this will override the keyboard position, but once you let go of the stick or yoke to give over to the autopilot, the keyboard virtual stick position takes effect and fights with the autopilot.
Double-check all your key bindings!



