After being totally underwhelmed by the response to my question when I posted it in the Helicopter forum ,I thought I'd try my luck here.My question is--- Is it possible by any means to use autopilot( at least to the extent of maintaining course and level) in any helicopter (either default or add-on).If so - how do you set it up/switch on or off?If this can't be done can someone who knows this for certain tell me so................thanksDave

I believe there was a Dauphin with an autopilot function... It was a very popular 2k2 download. There's also a helicopter "trim" gauge out there somewhere. In the absence of an autopilot, it certainly helps for reducing the workload on the joystick...-John

Thanks for that info John- I've d/l the Dauphin from the file library- it seems to have just about everything - including a large help file which I think I just might need !BTW it works fine in FS9.Dave

As far as I'm aware in my ignorance (of which I've plenty) you won't find many helicopters like that Dauphin. A golden rule of flying helicopters, as far as I've always understood, is never but never to let go of that wobbly bit in the middle. Funny things happen if you do. But then, what do I know. I only fly them for fun anyway and I've yet to try flying between North Sea oilrigs using autopilot. I'm too busy keeping out of the flames and missing the big metal bits.Mark "Dark Moment" Beaumonthttp://www.swiremariners.com/newlogo.jpg

OK Mark- yes the "wobbly bit " does seem quite important:-lol Try flying from aircraft carriers- there's a bit more space to get back down on- no flames either!Seriously- I was looking for a helicopter that could do longer cross country flights without the need to have to watch everything continuously while enroute- after a 2-300 mile trip I'm mentally knackered.I think the Dauphin may be the one.Dave

Hi,You have a look at www.hovercontrol.comMay be?

>>If this can't be done can someone who knows this for certain>tell me so................No, it can't be done.You've seen the Dauphin mentioned more than once in responses to your posts - Antti built a fully functional autopilot from scratch, that actually reads the game controller devices directly rather than using FS2002's joystick interface - this is so he can "take them over" and control them via his code. Some other helicopters I've seen incorporate Antti's autopilot, so perhaps it's possible to hack it in to others. But you can't use the generic FS autopilot with helicopters.BTW his Dauphin is truly a work of art - it takes some effort to get everything working correctly (e.g. getting it configured with your particular gaming devices setup), but the payoff is awesome.What I can't remember right now is whether it works with FS2004... I don't think it does but hopefully I'm wrong.Dave Blevins

Thanks to everybody for their replies.............Dave--- Yes it does seem to work in FS2004 but I see exactly what you mean about configuring it- it really is quite complex.This should keep me occupied for a while! CheersDave

Hey Dave, download easy_hap.zip . It is a awesome AP for choppers.Have fun, Paul

easy_hap.zip I haven't tried it myself but I've been told it works great.Sorry, didn't see post above