Possibility of a 2-axis autopilot?
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I struggle with the pitch sensitivity of the Warrior. It appears to be a known issue, at least on the MSFS forums, but I've always wanted a 2-axis AP for the Warrior anyway, so I figured this would be a time to at least ask for one. I know Piper offered 2-axis autopilots, so it would be a very nice option to have.
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Hidden autopilot feature on the warrior and arrow.
Despite there being no autopilot selection for vertical speed, you can still keybind vertical speed on as if it were a Garmin 1000.
Here is the sequence to set climb or descent rates.
Takeoff and climb to about 1000 feet and select altitude hold.
Then use the keyboard to engage vertical speed on. This can be set up under keyboard controls for vertical speed on.
Then use the keyboard binding command for nose up and nose down. By selecting nose up 5 times, it will set a vertical climb of 500 feet. Select nose down 3 times and it will drop the climb back down to 200 feet per minute. Again, there are no controls or indications on the panel for vertical speed on and off or for nose up and down. But the keybinds still work.
I also have issue trimming out for climb so use the vertical speed and nose up commands to climb.
Once reaching alititude, set your vertical speed down so it is 0 fpm and then you can engage altitude hold to hold the altitude.
Not a very elegant solution, but it works.
I have found a few workarounds like that for the warrior and hope they fix the trim soon. I would much prefer to climb using trim than the autopilot. -
So something odd but good today. I tried the technique listed above, which didn't work for me, but my climbout and descents were the smoothest I've had in the Warrior in a very long time. The only real difference I can see is that I have the Arrow III installed now as well, I have no idea if that affected the performance of the Warrior. All I know is that I didn't get any of the windshield wiping of the VSI I usually get with the aircraft. We'll see if it stays stable, but for now I'm keeing the Arrow installed in the background.
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@kbonnerjr I know it's been a while, but I wanted you to know I finally figured out how to implement your workaround and it's made a world of difference climbing out in the Warrior. I'm back to flying it regularly because of that, thanks again!
