I’m flying the TBM 930 in MSFS 2024 in free flight mode. My problem is that whenever I put the plane into a manual turn with the autopilot (AP) turned off, the AP automatically engages level mode despite no user command to do so. I get an audible warning, “Engaging Autopilot” and the flight director and yaw dampener also get turned on and LVL mode is displayed.
The AP even automatically engages even if I set set the overhead panel AP/TRIMS switch to the off position–so the AP should not be even able to turn on in the first place.
This happens every time with a sustained turn within about 10-15 seconds. I have cleared all controller and keyboard bindings that turn on the AP, including the LVL button, and have all assistances turned off that may be affected this. (Am I missing one somewhere?)
This bug does not occur in other aircraft I have tested including the King Air which also has a G3000.
Anyone else experiencing this same problem or know what might be happening?
Hi @limbo696a
I’ve never run across that issue in the 930 (PC/store and no add-on’s/outside programs running).
I ran another quick test, and did two full turns manually with AP off, and it didn’t turn on the AP at any time.
I checked the AP/TRIMS toggle, and it turns the AP off (if it was on) and prevents the AP from coming on even if I push the AP button. So I’d think that in itself would show an issue that needs review. If you’ve got any add-on’s our outside programs running, you might try it without those, and see if you still have the issue.
Since it’s happening only with the 930 and not other 3000-equipped planes, you might have a specific command set up on one of your peripherals for that plane that’s affecting the AP et al. One nice thing in the current controls setup is that you can check every peripheral without retyping in what your searching for, e.g. make sure you have “all” selected in the search line (far right in that line), then type in “autopilot” without the quotes. You can then click on each peripheral and it will show the assignments (if any) for that peripheral. Look through each peripheral’s list and see if you might have something else cross-linked to AP. I actually found a keyboard command for AP (and cross-linked to external view) that I had never set up, so it must have carried over when I set up my controls. I never use that key for either function, so I never came across that potential problem.
These are just some thoughts on the issue, but as I said, I couldn’t duplicate the problems you’re seeing.
I’ll keep looking to see if I find anything else that might cause the problem.
Regards
It’s not a bug. It’s a feature called Electronic Stability Protection. You’re banking the aircraft over 60 degrees and not reducing it. If you don’t correct this within 10 seconds then it will take over.
It doesn’t. It has a G3X. Why it does and not a Pro Line Fusion or Pro Line 21 I don’t know but that’s a topic for another thread.
Thank you so much for pointing out the existence of the Electronic Stability Protection system. After some quick testing, the limit appears to be only 45 degrees of bank for the system to kick in after 10 seconds instead of 60 degrees. (45 is the correct number in RL.) There seems to be a couple of longer bars on the 45 degree turn bank marks on the g3000 display which indicates the ESP limit. If you exceed the limit in a turn the bars go to 30 degrees and you have to turn less than 30 degrees to prevent ESP from turning on.
I was trying to do some canyon flying and land at Lower Loon Creek in Idaho and it was just coming on naturally after navigating those tight canyons…..really annoying in this case and I was completely baffled. I was definitely not flying the plane like I do the F-16 in DCS.
I could not find any other posts or information that address this but it comes up in a Google search now as a result of this discussion.
I was definitely not flying the plane like I do the F-16 in DCS.
