I don’t know for certain, but my guess is that they’re not as critical on takeoff as they are on planes with intakes closer to the ground. Maybe there’s a chance of mud and debris being kicked up to two and three by the nose gear wheels under extremely muddy or slushy conditions? Otherwise, my bet is they’re to be used during icing conditions.
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Looks like that’s the case. Here is additional info for people curious.
From a POH linked above:
“The air inlet to the engine is located on the lower side of the nacelle and is designed to produce a ram effect for positive flow to the engine intake. The nacelle includes an inertial separator system (engine intake deflector system). The deflectors can also be lowered to provide steady airflow during turbulent conditions. The vanes are mechanically connected and electrically actuated from an ENGINE INTAKE DEFLECTORS control panel in the center instrument panel. When in the extended position, airflow to the engine inlet is reduced, and engine torque can be expected to decrease by approximately 250 foot-pounds per engine.”
“Intake deflectors should be retracted for normal operations”
I found these L vars which worked. Set to 0 is cutoff, 1 is feather, 2 is low idle, 3 is normal, 4 is full on. I used AAO to add an axis for my lever and then set the range to 0 min, 4 max.
L:ENGINE_Lever_Condition_1,·Number
L:ENGINE_Lever_Condition_2,·Number
L:ENGINE_Lever_Condition_3,·Number
L:ENGINE_Lever_Condition_4,·Number
Same here, maybe it’s just me but I couldn’t figure out the autopilot. I think I know how it works but it was like fighting a bear in the sky. I set me HDG bug but then when I’d selected HDG mode and AP, it would make a hard turn in some direction to the point where the aircraft would just nose over and it was clearly not following the HDG I set although it was doing something.
I also agree that the ALT mode has some issues, ALT would zero out the current selected altitude. It’s probably user error on my part but I seem to be able to use the other autopilots in analog planes. I guess I’ll need to hear from others if they sorted it or maybe it’ll be in the updated docs.
Can’t engage AP at all.
Guess its the button on the yoke?
If I press it I get AP disengaged(announciator light). Press it again, light disappears.
Guess the AP in on then? But no matter what I select as mode: HDG, ALT etc ot won’t follow anything…
Or is there some other magic involved in addition to the yoke-button?
What version of the plane are you guys using that are having AP issues? Using TDS here with zero issues.
Analoge and 530 - same problem in both.
How do you engage AP?
Red button on yoke is AP master.
Do you get an announciator light that its on?
All I get is a ‘autopilot disengaged’ light - no light when on. And it doesn’t follow anything I ask it to do (HDG etc), suspecting its not really on…
@Fornax4188 There is also a green AP button on the center console if you look down between the armrests.
@BoboSkypark I tested out the plane today with just the analog non GPS version
Ahh tnx! Been looking around. Even asked on Forder’s stream (Dash 7s) - none knew😉
Will try tomorrow 
@BoboSkypark. On NO airplane IRL the yoke button is an AP master or on/off switch. It’s always only the AP disconnect switch!
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That depends on their function.
The inboard and outboard roll spoilers extend at different speeds with yoke deflection.
Both sets extend only on ground as lift dumpers.
If you advance the power levers, they retract.
Another special feature on the Dash 7 is the automatic flap operation.
If they are fully extended, the retract to 25° automatically at touchdown, or when advancing the power levers for a go around.
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Hence the AP Disconnect message on the annunciator. Thanks for the correction.
Could be they simplyfied it in a game, as nobody seems to know where it is?
Will have another look…
The AP Master is in the MiddleConsole. Right besides YD switch.
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As @JayDee6281 mentioned, the AP on/off button is the small one on the pedestal. There’s no dedicated AP master switch like on the TBM etc.
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A pretty good overview of the product and the shortcomings.
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Just finished watching a few reviews.
It’s not clear if the flaps auto retract from 45 to 25deg, but I noticed that they are operating way too slow in any case.
From 25 to 45 they should extend in 3sec and they should retract from 45 to 25 in 2sec.