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WARNINGS
PROBLEMS/FAQ'S
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AUTO FLIGHT
The included autopilot is the Sperry SP-50 two axis autopilot that controls pitch and roll.
ENGAGING

The axis are engaged by the two large paddles labeled Ail and Elev. Roll mode can be engaged alone, that is, you can have the autopilot control roll functions while still hand flying pitch. However, pitch cannot be engaged without also engaging the roll paddle; they are mechanically interlocked. The autopilot can be disconnect by using the Z key or your joystick button if programmed, but it cannot be engaged this way.
When engaging the aileron paddle, ensure that the airplane is flying relatively level. If you are not level, the airplane will abruptly level itself.
The knob on the far left is your roll mode selector. When first engaging the autopilot, you are in manual mode. You cannot pre-select a mode then engage the autopilot. The system logic will prevent you from doing this. More on the mode select knob later...
MANUAL CONTROL KNOB

You've engaged both paddles and are in manual mode. The airplane will level itself out in the roll axis but will maintain whatever pitch attitude you were in when you engaged the autopilot. The large knob that's in between the roll selector knob and the paddles is the manual control knob. This is what you will use to fly the airplane with until a roll mode is selected and/or the altitude hold switch is engaged. At the four cardinal points of the knob are mouse click areas.
Clicking on the left or right side of the knob will roll (steer) the airplane. The knob rotates approximately 120 degrees either direction, and a full rotation of the knob will give you a 30 degree bank in whichever direction you turned it. It will remain at this bank angle until you turn the knob again. This is a powerful control, and will roll the airplane somewhat quickly. It's difficult to simulate the feel of this knob with FS. I find that a series of quick clicks works better than just holding the mouse button down.
Clicking the top or bottom of the knob will change your pitch. This is what you will used to adjust your rate of climb or descent.
From here, you can do a couple things for roll control. One is to use the roll mode selector knob and the other is to engage the heading select switch. Before using any of the other roll modes,
the manual turn knob must be centered! You will hear a click as it turns into its detent. Until this is done, you will be electrically locked out of any other mode.
Once intercepting your target altitude, you can engage the altitude hold switch to the far right. Note that you cannot pre-select an altitude! You either use the manual control knob or hand fly to your desired altitude, then flip the switch.
HEADING SELECT SWITCH

You probably guessed what the heading select switch does, and that is holds the heading selected with the orange cursor on the HSI. Again, you will be locked out of this mode unless your manual control knob is centered. Once engaged, moving the manual control knob left or right will trip the heading select switch off.
ROLL MODE KNOB

Alright, back to the roll mode select knob on the far left. From the Manual setting, you can turn it left to INS if your 727 is so equipped, for navigation using the Inertial Navigation System. The Nav/Loc mode holds a VOR radial or localizer. You can use the heading hold switch to intercept, and it will be automatically shut off when capturing your course.
The next mode is Auto G/S, which is similar to the default approach hold function. You can be in heading select and altitude hold, or fly using the manual knob with this mode engaged. When the localizer is captured, heading select will be released or manual steering will be over-ridden as the localizer hold takes over. Once the glideslope is captured, the altitude hold switch should kick off if engaged. Unlike newer autopilots, you can intercept the glideslope before capturing the localizer.
The last mode is Manual G/S. Instead of waiting for glideslope capture, this mode will force the capture of the glideslope. This is handy if you were vectored a little close and ended up slightly above the glideslope. Since it will never capture in this situation, you can engage this mode to force it into capturing. Do not use this mode if more than half a dot above the glideslope.
For some reason, MSFS has very poor localizer and glideslope tracking. Glideslope tracking is done an entirely different way with this panel, and your airplane should track G/S aggressively at all speeds. I wasn't able to do anything with the Localizer hold, so it will tend to be a little lazy like the default planes.
PITCH SYSTEM SWITCH

This knob controls which hydraulic system, A or B, is controlling the pitch axis of the autopilot. If your pitch paddle is engaged, selecting a different system will disengage the pitch axis. The clicks you hear are the internal relay logic. You will normally not need to do anything with this knob.
APPROACH PROGRESS DISPLAY (APD)

On the main panel just above the altimeter is the APD, or Approach Progress Display. These lights display the status of your approach. It's divided into two columns - one on the left for the flight director and one on the right for the autopilot. Amber means that a mode is armed, and green means it is captured. In the above example, both the flight director and the autopilot have captured the localizer, and both the flight director and autopilot have the glideslope armed. It's important that these two columns of lights match each other, although it is normal for the flight director and autopilot to capture at slightly different times.
The only indications on the APD are V/Loc and Glideslope. There are no indications for heading and such. There is also a Go Around mode that is annunciated, but that is for the Flight Director only.
The APD lights can be tested by pushing on the center light (painted gray) of either column. One side tests the amber lights, and the other tests the green.
NO AUTOLAND
The autopilot is not approved for auto landing, so you'll have to disconnect it before touch down.
DISCONNECT WARNING LIGHT

This is the autopilot disconnect warning light, and it will come on each time the autopilot is disconnected. Just push the light or re-engage the autopilot to cancel the warning.
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