I love the MAAM-SIM DC-3 but unfortunately I have had to hand-fly it everywhere because apparently the Sperry autopilot is INOP. I am pretty sure I am programming it correctly- the problem I have is that when the unit is turned on, there does not seem to be any effect.For example, if I adjust all the dials to hold my present attitude and course, and then turn the AP on, the plane eventually starts drifting off course, as if the AP was never engaged. Likewise, if I set up everything correctly, and then turn the AP on, and then try to change the heading dial, the planes does not attempt to steer in order to turn to the new course. Trying to change other parameters (i.e. adjusting the pitch or bank on the right side of the unit) also do not seem to elicit responses in the control surfaces.So it appears that there is no connection between the AP unit and the control surfaces.I have seen that some others have had problems with this too- but was there ever a fix or explanation for the problem?A few bits of information that may help:-I am using the CH yoke/pedals/throttle quadrant programmed through FSUIPC if it matters any-the "Disconnect Elev. Trim Axis" option in FSUIPC is disabled (meaning the elev trim axis can be controlled by the AP)-this is on FS9.1-When I say "turn the AP on" I mean I click the switch on the panel. I do not press the "Z" key on my keyboard.-I tried adjusting the the three sensitivity dials to 3 different positions: all the way to the left, in the middle, and all the way to the right. None of the three settings seemed to produce an effect either.Any ideas? I'd like to be able to use the sperry AP unit on the DC3 to make it even better!Ruahrc

Hi RuahrcSorry to hear of your difficulty.Open the AIRCRAFT.CFG file (with NOTEPAD or whatever) of the aircraft with which you are having problems.Check the AUTOPILOT section.The top two lines should read:(autopilot) ........................ note: this will be in square bracketsautopilot_available=1If a "0" shows, rather than a "1", there is your problem. Change it to show "1", save the file, and test.Let us know. If this is not the case, we'll go from there.MarkMark "Dark Moment" BeaumontVP Fleet, DC-3 AirwaysTeam Member, MAAM-SIM[a href=http://www.swiremariners.com/cx.html" target="_blank]http://www.paxship.com/avsimlogo.jpg[/a]

Hello Mark- Thanks for your reply.I checked all the aircraft.cfg files of the MAAM-SIM airplanes, and they all have autopilot_available=1I should also point out that I tried the suggestion offered in an earlier thread to erase the SPERRY_MARKIII.cfg file from the FS9Gauges folder. That did not appear to fix it either.Attached is a copy of the SPERRY_MARKIII.cfg file as it is in my FS9Gauges. Does it look correct to you?Some other possibilities I was considering... is the AP system tied to any particular electrical bus? I usually start up in "cold and dark" mode where I have to power everything on manually. Throughout my startup procedures I activate the electric bus and the avionics bus, which allows me to use the FS radio (whereas in cold and dark I am unable to use the radio because there is no power to the units). Perhaps I am forgetting to activate a bus that provides power to the AP unit?Ruahrc

Hi Ruahrc,All I can guess is that there must be some other program or utility interfering, somehow. Excuse me if you have already said, but are autopilots in other aircraft operating correctly?In the R4D, if you hit the Z key, then the Ctrl + Z keys, what happens? If you hit the Z key again, do you hear the autopilot off beep?Bill RambowMAAM-SIM http://www.fssupport.com/maam/hgrsm_blkani.gif

Sorry for the late reply on this- I didn't get a chance to test this out until recently.If I press Z during flight the AP switch on the Sperry turns on, and then if I press Ctrl+Z, then it will come online and hold altitude. Then, if I press Ctrl+H I can use the Sperry to control my heading. Pressing Z again will disable the autopilot.Ruahrc

So it IS functioning. The only problem seems to be that your ON/OFF switch on the Sperry does not activate it? Tough one, if the autopilot is indeed enabled in your AIRCRAFT.CFG file; you are, clearly, seeing the Sperry gauge in your sim or it would not appear at all. The ON/OFF switch is a part of that, so is unlikely to have become separately corrupt.I can only think that - perhaps - your Sperry gauge has become overwritten by an old version supplied with some other aircraft. Please check the date on your Sperry.gau gauge, which should be 5/21/2004 according to my own copy.MarkMark "Dark Moment" BeaumontVP Fleet, DC-3 AirwaysTeam Member, MAAM-SIM[a href=http://www.swiremariners.com/cx.html" target="_blank]http://www.paxship.com/avsimlogo.jpg[/a]