Cessna 172

[andyjohnston.net 617]

Is this only happening with me?  I can't get the 172 to hold a constant VS or Altitude.

Or is this yet another known issue?

[Lotharen 287]

I took the 172 up 2 days ago and had no issues with altitude.

[Ed_S_Pilot 227]

Flew today,  No issues as you describe...

[Dharma66 48]

I fly the 172 all the time, I have no issues trimming level flight, except where you might expect it, such as with low clearance over mountains. Even then, it’s easily controllable with the stick and throttle.

[andyjohnston.net 617]

I redid the flight I was trying to make, and everything seemed okay as long as I stayed below about 5000 feet.

[Dharma66 48]

2 minutes ago, andyjohnston.net said:

I redid the flight I was trying to make, and everything seemed okay as long as I stayed below about 5000 feet.

Hmm, I don’t much venture over 5000ft to be fair... I’ll give it a try...

[Ed_S_Pilot 227]

3500-9500 no issues. Funny thing for me, is every time i load FS something different quirks up. So its never a consistent flight. 

[Dharma66 48]

Yeah, I just flew from EGNS (Ronaldsway, Isle of Man) to EGNL (Walney Island), via the Lake District, and was able to trim level cruise at 5, 6, 7 and 8000ft.

of course, in a small aircraft like a 152, “level” means 8,000 +/- a few feet, say 20-30ft either way. The aircraft doesn’t have the momentum to keep a rock steady height with no variance. But with trim, in still air, it should be possible to stay within 20ft give or take, completely hands off.

[LarryD 132]

2 hours ago, andyjohnston.net said:

I redid the flight I was trying to make, and everything seemed okay as long as I stayed below about 5000 feet.

Did you lean out the mixture?  As you climb, lean the mixture a bit around 5000 feet (red pull valve next to the throttle) and try trimming level again.  That might be your issue.

[andyjohnston.net 617]

Yes, but I wasn't referring to the 152, and as i said this was on auto, not just using the trim.

[andyjohnston.net 617]

1 minute ago, LarryD said:

Did you lean out the mixture?  As you climb, lean the mixture a bit around 5000 feet (red pull valve next to the throttle) and try trimming level again.  That might be your issue.

I have the mixture set to auto, as I don't really know much about using it.

[Little Jenny 317]

I have been flying the 172 exclusively and haven't had that issue.  I did have the G1000 decide to quit working on approach (didn't actually shut down but wouldn't take any inputs).  No other issues for a while (autopilot has only tried to kill me once in the last week or so).  I tend to cruise between 5000-7000ft.

 

[LarryD 132]

46 minutes ago, andyjohnston.net said:

I have the mixture set to auto, as I don't really know much about using it.

How do you set mixture to auto on a C172? 

[andyjohnston.net 617]

In settings for the program, not one individual aircraft.

[fppilot 4,391]

4 hours ago, andyjohnston.net said:

Is this only happening with me?  I can't get the 172 to hold a constant VS or Altitude.

 

Are you hand flying?  Or are you using the AP?