Hi Everyone,I'm new to this forum and to PMDG so hopefully someone can give me a little advice. After take-off I turn on the ap and lnav & vnav. My problem is this. When running the ap is it possible to let go of the stick and let the ap do the work or do I have to hold the stick throughout the flight? Whenever I let go of the stick the vnav light goes out and I have to manually get it back onto level flight before I can switch on vnav again. When flying non PMDG aircraft this does not occur.Thanks for any help,Eagle

Eagle,You certainly do not need to hold the stick throughout the flight.Maybe you should post a screenshot of your panel the moment after VNAV disengages. Also do you get any messages on the FMC after the disconnect?I think that you could be triggering the CWS mode when you release the stick but I'm not too sure without seeing a screenshot.

When you say after takeoff just exactly do you mean? You should not turn on the A/P until you raise your flaps. You can select a roll mode @ 400 AGL. Also, if you select a pitch mode like VNAV without being close to the FMC target climb speed, it might not be a smooth transition for the pax. This autopilot is not like the others, it works like the real one so it takes some time to get a handle on it's correct operation. First, if you programed the FMS correctly set the flight director (s) on, Auto Throttle ARMED. Set V2 in the MCP speed window. Set about 40% N1 then push the TOGA button. Passing 400 AGL select a roll mode (although you can ARM LNAV on the ground). You will be manually following the flight director guidence on the pilot's flight display. At acceleration height (generally 1000 AGL but not always) start raising the flaps, speed up to 250 knots and if you plan on using VNAV push the vnav button and then engage a A/P in CMD (push A or :(. This way VNAV will engage and not LVL CH, since LVL CH is the default pitch mode in TOGA when one engages a cmd. Once you have engaged a CMD do not and let me repeat do not touch the controls, if you do, the AFDS will revert to CWS (Control Wheel Steering) and you will notice a YELLOW "CWS P or R" but that's for another lesson ;D. Best Wishes,[h4]Randy J. Smith[/h4]http://www.rawbw.com/~bdoolin/shinault/Animation1.gifCaution! Not a real pilot, but do play one on TV ;-)AMD 64 3200+ | NEC LCD 1980SXi 19" | ASUS KV8 DELUXE | GFORCE 5700 ULTRA @535/1000 | Maxtor 6Y080M0 SATA 80 GIG | 512 DDR 400 | Windows Xp Pro |

Thanks for your help guys, I will give your suggestions a try. Eagle