Hi ,I'm new to the flight sim world and have a question that I'm sure is a very basic question for most of you , so go easy on me :) The problem I have is just after takeoff and on the climb out with everything set on the right settings according to the flight manual i have. It says when I reach 1000 feet I can engage the autopilot.When I do and let go of the joystick, the plane starts to nose dive instead of cotinuing the climbout and coarse setout on the CDU display. I have flaps up as well. If someone could tell me what I'm doing wrong , I would appreciate the help. Thanks, Ron

checkautopilot on, autothrottle on, set speed and select SPD, also set vertical speed to about 2000 ft/m and select an altitude higher then you are flying, and press ALT.JohanA LITTLE LESS CONVERSATION, AND A LITTLE MORE ACTION PLEASE!HELP:http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=238882

Before engaging the AP, ensure you have a valid pitch and roll mode selected and annunciated. Generally you do this by selecting the flight director before take off and then the appropriate modes (for example, Heading Hold and V/S). Note that in the simpler aircraft, V/S doesn't work so good because it doesn't control airspeed (setting auto throttles and a speed command sort of compensate). Thus at 1000 ft you should manually lower the nose as necessary to accelerate to at least a clean airspeed and probably aiming for 250 knots. At climb speed raise the nose to maintain constant speed, then when you engage the pitch mode (V/S) it should provide an appropriate rate of climb for the inital climb below 10,000 (in the US).you might get better results by manually moving the throttle to achieve climb thrust, and climb in V/S mode, adjusting the rate of climb as necessary to maintain the proper climb airspeed. At top of climb leave the thrust in manual control until you accelerate to cruise speed, then set auto/throttle - speed/mach control to maintain cruise speed.scott s..

That sounds like a classic case of not adjusting your elevator trim before takeoff. In the good ol' days before I learned how to fly in the sim, I had exactly the same kind of thing happen to me when I released the stick and hit AP to on. Check the trim wheel indicator prior to takeoff and make sure it is at least centered if not 1 notch "up". That way when you release the stick at 1000 or 2000' and engage the AP, the nose will not dive.JS

Follow Johan's instructions above--and also check trim before takeoff as well!JS

Thanks very much for the help guys. This should keep my head above the clouds now :-)Cheers!!