Hello simmers.when i take off and connect my Autopilot, it disconnects with the following message:"AP DISCONNECT excessive control column deflection"FMC is proper programmed and no other messages displayed.What did i do wrong and how can i connect my AP again?Please explain this for me as a newbie. FSX is my first flight simulation and the 747-400X is my first PMDG plane.Thank you.Heinz S.

Hi Heinz,You're applying too much back/side pressure to your joystick/yoke controls and the autopilot is disconnecting. Release the controls before engaging the autopilot.You can eliminate the message altogether by reading Pg 0-24 of the Introduction Manual and following the directions provided therein.Regards,Jim Karn

Thanks Jim,I

"...release the controls before activating the AP."Also learn to trim the aircraft (Stabilizer Trim in particular). This way, when you release the controls (prior to A/P engagement), the aircraft won't make any dramatic/dangerous manoeuvres.Cheers.Q> イアン

Well just did another try same settings. left the joystick alone, machine was stable, straight and slightly climbing. pushed AP and Machine turned to programmed path. AP disconnected with the same message.Another try, no route programmed. take off, machine stable straight.pushed AP, it worked. Set Speed and hight, machine climbed and hold the speed. No hands on the joystick! Banklimit set to 25. set heading 20

Try disconnecting your joystick and seeing if that "fixes the problem" (obviously, I am not suggesting this as a permanent solution).If you get no further disconnect messages, then the culprit is your joystick which sends "spikes" to FSX telling it that it moved (even though you might have not touched it). Could also be its USB connection which might be "falling asleep" and "waking" after a bit.In any case, try my suggestion and report back.

reporting backIt was a matter of the joystick.i did deactivate the force feedback option und options in the FSX menu.that solved the problem.Thanks for your help gents.Heinz S.