Some info on the real aeroplane and the autopilot:http://www.dh-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/DH-106/index.htmlAnd here's how you work it in the VC (assuming you don't want to cheat and use the pop up autopilot panel):First you flip the autopilot master switch on the overhead panel to ON (this is the master power switch for the autopilot on the real thing, but I think it just acts as a CMD in FS). On the real thing, a light should come on (amber) to indicate that the AP is powered up, on the real thing that takes a while because it used older electronics that had to warm up valves and the gyros in it had to spin up to speed too. So that bit on the overhead is probably more eye candy than anything else.On the main autopilot panel (on the pedestal below the throttle) you will see a 'power' button. This is effectively the CMD button for the autopilot.There are three toggle switches below it, which are the command circuit switches for the rudder, ailerons and elevator (flip all those up so the lights go on).On the main 'six pack' instrument panel, select your desired heading on the knob to the lower left of the HSI (i.e. that's your autopilot heading select knob). The knob on the lower right of the HSI is your 'course' select knob.Back on the pedestal autopilot panel, there is an 'engage' button at the lower right, this is your 'heading hold' switch. In the middle at the bottom, there is a knob marked 'height', on the real thing, this is a toggle switch that either holds your current altitude by setting the elevator trim, or your current speed by trimming the elevators to maintain the current speed, so it isn't really an autothrottle or an alt hold in the true sense, just a 'current speed/alt capture' button that tries to trim the aircraft to hold the present speed or alt depending on your choice. I'm not sure if it does all that in FS, so I just trim it out manually with the FS elevator trim settings to hold speed and alt.There are two other buttons up at the top of the autopilot panel. One marked 'beam' and the other marked 'glide'. The beam button is your 'VOR/LOCALISER' switch, and the 'glide' button is your 'APPROACH HOLD' for an ILS landing. So those are for VOR navigation and ILS approaches.There is a 'pitch' switch below the main AP panel. It only works if the other modes are not selected and is basically the same as elevator trimming. Next to it there is a 'turn' switch. This will initiate a turn and hold it unless you have heading hold or VOR/LOC engaged.If you want a 2D panel, you could modify the DM Comet panel I guess and add that. Probably best to create something in FS Panel Studio. Link to the DM Comet:http://www.dmflightsim.co.uk/dh106_comet.htmHope that helps - Al

Hi AlOnce more I'm indebted to you.I was flitting between my 2nd FS2004 computer to check that old David Maltby freeware Comet 4C to check the AP workings.Now thanks to you I'll be able to get into this venerable old lady a bit more.Only just got her delivered today.Just took her for a quick spin out of HKJK from whence I made my very first flight on an EgyptAir but abandoned the test flight.

You are welcome. Took me a while to figure it all out, but then again I have an aversion to reading manuals unless it is for a review or something I'm really going to fly, so I'm more of a 'kick the tires and light the fires' type in FS, that usually thinks 'oh I'll figure it out, how hard can it be?' LOL.Anyway, happy landings. It flies nicely by hand anyway and it was a steal for 20 quid.Al

Hello Alan.Thanks to you immense font of information,was able to manage a take-off,etc,etc and am currently in cruise just past Khartoum using your version of the AP.Absolutely brilliant.She flies beautifully on 'hand'.Question I have for your font of knowledge is this,cannot seem to find the COM radios anywhere to tune in the Cairo(HECA) ATIS like I can do say with the PMDG,LDS and iFly aircraft, so that I know which Rwy is the landing Rwy a long way off,ATIS freq via FSCv9. Any tips on this?Thanks in advance.

Like the answer to the 'life, the universe and everything', the answer here is also: 42.In this case Page 42 of the PDF manual for the Comet, which says the following regarding the comms part of the radio in the VC: 'Comms Radios (non-functional – use pop-up version)'Al

Like the answer to the 'life, the universe and everything', the answer here is also: 42.In this case Page 42 of the PDF manual for the Comet, which says the following regarding the comms part of the radio in the VC: 'Comms Radios (non-functional – use pop-up version)'Al

Thanks Al.I was looking in the little Pilot's Notes handbook.No wonder I could not find that page 42.Must say much as I'm no great big fan of VC panels,after a 6.1 hour flight on this bird,have sort of managed to get accustomed to the VC panel.I only wish that the traction on the ground had been made as progressive or realistic as the iFly which will taxi at normal speeds instead this FSX malady of push the throttle too far and all of a sudden we are hurtling down a taxi-way,or retard and come to a crawl or a full stop.No wonder this aircraft requires a crew of 4 with all that plethora of panels,dials,gauges and switches!I just hope when and if Microsoft Flight ever gets off the ground,they address this 'adhesion' to the taxi-ways,and do not have anything to do with the ATC.

Tell me about it, unfortunately, FSX is not at its best when on the ground. I was pleased when MS added glider aerotowing in FSX, but the ground handling aspect of FSX makes it very suspect in comparison to the real deal, although fortunately you are never on the deck for very long when really aerotowing, so I can live with it.What is worth having that improves ground friction, is TSR Autobrake, which does make landing a little bit more like the real thing by altering runway surface characteristics, unfortunately, the price of it has gone up a lot now from what it was when I bought it. It is, rather spookily given my previous post, 42 quid now!Al

Ouch!! That hurts my brain never mind my pocket. I think I'll give it a miss.Have already emptied the coffers buying the iFly,the FSDT,the Aerosoft,the ORBX,the Comet tempting dangling goodies,amongst other bits and pieces.I think I need to start charging my pax instead of all these free flights I'm giving them!Or better still,like a certain 5* real-life Middle Eastern airline that will host the WC2020,which has bumped the EGCC-VABB fare up from £535 to £700,follow suit!

Yeah, TSR is overpriced at 42 quid in my opinion. I'm glad I've got it and it is pretty cool, but for what it does I wouldn't spend that kind of cash on it.In fact, I think Aerosoft stopped carrying TSR as a product after that price hike, and if Aerosoft think something is too pricey, well... LOLAl