I am having trouble engaging any of the Autopilot functions using the buttons and dials on the Honeycomb Bravo. I usually fly the C172 (G1000), but have the same issue with other planes. In the row of dials, switches and the master AP button at the top of the Bravo, I would assume that the Autopilot would work as follows, but if this is incorrect, please let me know:
To set and engage a function, such as ALT, with the AP master OFF, first move the dial at the left to the ALT position, then press the ALT button (lighting it up), then turn the dial on the right to set the ALT level, then press the AP master switch (to turn it on and light up the button). When I do this, there is no change to the ALT setting shown in the cockpit view. And their is either no response by the plane to the AP being switched on, or the plane begins to dive in the wrong direction. Am I using the wrong button to set the desired flight level?
Same thing happens when I try to set the HDG using the same procedure. There is no response by the plane or shown in the cockpit instruments.
You should use the dials first to set the intended altitude. Then ALT and AP. Otherwise it’s trying to head for the default altitude until you change that dial which in some planes for instance is like 5000 feet I think.
Thanks, @Flyinion . But when I use the dials on the Bravo, I’m seeing no corresponding change in the cockpit.
If I set altitude on the Garmin using my mouse, and then press ALT on the Bravo and turn the AP master on with the Bravo button, the C172 does respond and moves to that set altitude. But I find it very difficult to set heading and altitude on the Garmin using a mouse and was hoping to do it on the Bravo.
So far, I haven’t been able to do that. The cockpit instruments don’t seem to be responding to the dial on the Bravo. Do I need to assign a function to the Bravo dial in the FS settings?
OK, I’m thinking my issues are settings related.
I have set the right dial to increase or decrease the AP reference altitude. This is in the FS Controls settings by assigning two Bravo switch numbers - 13 and 14 - to decrease and increase the AP reference altitude. I don’t know if this is the correct way to do this, but turning the dial now raises or lowers the altitude target shown in the G1000.
The problem that I now have is that once these button assignments are made to the right dial, the right dial changes the reference altitude regardless of which position the left Bravo AP dial is in. So, I don’t see how the right dial can also be used to change other settings, such as heading or speed when they are selected on the left dial.
Should I double and triple assign the same switch numbers - 13 and 14 - to heading and speed changes as well? That doesn’t seem right as the left dial selector, even in positions other than ALT, is not stopping the right dial from continuing to change altitude shown in the G1000, but I will try it.
I’ll have to connect my Bravo to check the settings, but by default my right dial was assigned to a generic + & - function and then the left dial is set to choose the different bugs. You might check the default profile, however one of the left dial settings is wrong by default (but not the altitude one)
Ok, I double checked, By default 13/14 is assigned (and should be set to in your case) Plus and Minus under the major category “Miscellaneous”. Make sure OBS on the left is set to VOR OBS under Radio > VOR. By default the IAS position is set to BOTH “set autopilot airspeed hold” under “Autopilot” which is INCORRECT (remove that) and then IAS, HDG, VS, ALT should all be set to Select Airspeed Bug, Heading Bug, VSI Bug, Altitude Bug under “Instruments and systems > Flight Instruments”. This works for sure on all the WT Gxxx series including the NXi and I believe I’ve tested it with defaults as well, but it should definitely work on defaults.
Just follow what I just posted above and you should be good. It actually should have been set like that by default along with that double binding on the IAS position on the left side knob which is incorrect. I double checked the default profile which of course can’t be changed.