Century IV autopilot, altitude capture questions
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Hello, nice aircraft have been modelled, they're a pleasure to fly.
I'm unable to find info from manuals, if following is expected behaviour:
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Altitude hold cannot be engaged with ALT mode preselected, at preset altitude, even on a properly trimmed a/c. Instead, attitude mode has to be engaged, beforehand. Video reference 1: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2688064207 ATT mode is used around 2:45 mark.
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There is porpoising/hunting in some performance conditions. Video ref 2: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2688064200 Video ref 3: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2686403662
I've read the FAQ's part about GPS packages. I don't have axis controls for the AP.
This behaviour seems to exist on both v0.1.2 Dukes on FS24 SU4
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The Century IV is a fairly basic autopilot. Selecting Alt mode should level the aircraft at whatever altitude you are currently at regardless what is pre selected (so long as you are not within 500ft of the preselected altitude or it will capture that). It is an "Altitude Hold" mode that can be activated manually by the pilot or by an optionally installed preselector. Note that when using the Altitude Preselector, the A/P will not capture the altitude in any mode other than ATT mode. I believe there are currently instances where Alt mode can be engaged and not holding an altitude when using certain key-bind setups. A simple work around is to manually engage ATT mode whenever you are not holding an altitude and use the pitch scroll wheel to adjust pitch to capture the preselected altitude (or manually re-engage ALT mode to hold your present altitude at any time).
- There is also a somewhat functioning CWS mode (on the pitch axis) that you can set up explained in the black square manual if you don't wish to use the pitch scroll thingy. *There is an extra key-bind I set up to make it work a bit more realistically with the default key-binds and avoid instances where ALT mode is engaged an not actively holding an altitude. Nick pointed me to it the other day and I have it working perfectly. Let me know if you wish to set that up and I'll explain more.
Regarding the aircraft pitch hunting, that is expected and normal behavior in turbulence exceeding 300fpm vertical displacement. I can assure you the autopilot will tend to pitch and roll hunt even more in a real plane... Here is a link to the Century IV manual if you want to give it a read: https://www.scribd.com/document/517407279/Century-IV-OM-68S82
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The Century IV is a fairly basic autopilot. Selecting Alt mode should level the aircraft at whatever altitude you are currently at regardless what is pre selected (so long as you are not within 500ft of the preselected altitude or it will capture that). It is an "Altitude Hold" mode that can be activated manually by the pilot or by an optionally installed preselector. Note that when using the Altitude Preselector, the A/P will not capture the altitude in any mode other than ATT mode. I believe there are currently instances where Alt mode can be engaged and not holding an altitude when using certain key-bind setups. A simple work around is to manually engage ATT mode whenever you are not holding an altitude and use the pitch scroll wheel to adjust pitch to capture the preselected altitude (or manually re-engage ALT mode to hold your present altitude at any time).
- There is also a somewhat functioning CWS mode (on the pitch axis) that you can set up explained in the black square manual if you don't wish to use the pitch scroll thingy. *There is an extra key-bind I set up to make it work a bit more realistically with the default key-binds and avoid instances where ALT mode is engaged an not actively holding an altitude. Nick pointed me to it the other day and I have it working perfectly. Let me know if you wish to set that up and I'll explain more.
Regarding the aircraft pitch hunting, that is expected and normal behavior in turbulence exceeding 300fpm vertical displacement. I can assure you the autopilot will tend to pitch and roll hunt even more in a real plane... Here is a link to the Century IV manual if you want to give it a read: https://www.scribd.com/document/517407279/Century-IV-OM-68S82
I decided to send how to set up the CWS mode now in case I am busy and you ask. Simply Bind the same input, preferably a button you can hold with your flying hand on your yoke or flight stick to both of the inputs in the first screenshot below. Under the cogwheel for AUTOPILOT PITCH LEVELER HOLD, deselect "Input Repetition" as seen in the second screenshot. You will also need to select Control AP Pitch with Hardware events in the Black Square tablet.
So long as you are not within 500ft of your preselected altitude, holding CWS mode will now engage ATT mode and command the Flight Director (FD) to sync your desired pitch using your yoke or flight stick and when releasing the button the FD will hold your last pitch angle.
