<![CDATA[Problems with AP in the sim and with Saitek panels and Spad.next]]>Subject: Commander 114 – S-TEC HDG mode not engaging (AP engages with FD only), intermittent

Hello,

I have an intermittent problem with the S-TEC 60-2 in the Commander 114 (MSFS 2020, version 1.39.12.0, Steam).

Symptoms:

  • On the ground during the runup (Pitch Trim ON, AP/trim breakers in, turn coordinator powered), the S-TEC shows a green RDY.
  • Clicking HDG in the cockpit engages the autopilot: RDY goes out and FD is shown, but the HDG annunciator does not illuminate.
  • The aircraft does not follow the heading bug; it only holds wings level.
  • A second click on HDG makes no visible difference. The AP stays engaged and shows FD.

What I checked (SPAD.neXt Data Monitor while the AP was engaged with FD):

  • A:AUTOPILOT HEADING LOCK = 0 (never becomes 1)
  • A:AUTOPILOT DISENGAGED = 0
  • L:PMS50_APGA_RUNNING and all other PMS50_APGA variables = 0
  • No hardware binding for "Autopilot Disengage" on any controller
  • The problem also occurs with SPAD.neXt, RealSimGear connector, MSFS Popout Panel Manager, fs2ff and the TDS GTNXi app all closed
  • Avionics selection: GNS 530 / GNS 430 (not GTN). State saving is disabled.

It is intermittent:

  • 10 Nov: HDG did not work (same symptoms).
  • 11 Nov: after a full PC + sim restart, HDG, ALT and VS worked perfectly, including all annunciators.
  • 12 Nov: after a full PC + sim restart, HDG does not work again (ALT annunciator has worked in other sessions).

Possibly related: on both days when HDG failed, MSFS frame rate also dropped heavily (down to 5–40 FPS, with only ~10% CPU and GPU load), and it does not recover. On the day HDG worked, the frame rate was normal (90–120 FPS).

Is there anything in the Commander's autopilot logic or a known conflict that could prevent AP_PANEL_HEADING_HOLD from setting the heading mode? Any advice on logs or variables I should check would be appreciated.

Thank you!

]]>https://community.justflight.com/topic/11534/problems-with-ap-in-the-sim-and-with-saitek-panels-and-spad.nextRSS for NodeFri, 13 Nov 2026 22:12:36 GMTFri, 13 Nov 2026 15:15:03 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Problems with AP in the sim and with Saitek panels and Spad.next on Fri, 13 Nov 2026 21:06:20 GMT]]>@5631klaus Sorry you're dealing with this issue. The problem you're describing matches some symptoms that I'm very familiar with, but I haven't seen anyone mention them in a while.

This happens as a result of the hot-swapping GPS units fighting for control over the autopilot, but usually happens after changing the avionics selection. Again, I haven't heard of it happening for anyone in a while, however. It's also happened that something in the community folder is conflicting, like some modification for a GPS unit. Have you tried this with a completely empty community folder and no hardware connected? In theory, that would be the best test. I think you might be right that the frame rate issue could be related, but possibly causal. If there is a huge delay between the avionics loading and the aircraft configuring itself, it's possible that might cause the issue. Perhaps if you find the source of your frame rate issues, the problem might solve itself.

Sorry that's not a definitive answer, but I hope it gives you some direction. You might also have some luck writing to Just Flight Support. They've helped many of my users with GPS/Autopilot related issues, and might have some troubleshooting tricks up their sleeves. In the meantime, I'm happy to help here!

]]>https://community.justflight.com/post/55582https://community.justflight.com/post/55582Fri, 13 Nov 2026 21:06:20 GMT