Am I the only one still struggling with the MSFS autopilot?

In my experience, a small aileron control input (like a slightly miscalibrated controller) can over a short time, cause the autopilot to put me into a spiral dive, without DISCONNECTING!

I just did a test flight in the Bonanza with NAV/ALT hold on the autopilot.
If I nudge the yoke a bit, the airplane reacts, the AP corrects, and if I hold the yoke position, the AP reaches its limit and puts me into a spiral dive, without disconnecting.  If I move the yoke violently, the AP disconnects.  HDG mode, same thing.

Are any of you seeing an autopilot that controls the plane, even when the yoke is moved a bit off center?

 

Full disclosure: I use FSUIPC for the yoke (so I can calibrate it in flight), but I had the problem before and am using FSUIPC to overcome it… if that makes sense…

Bert, I think this depends on the aircraft you fly. As an example, Just Flights Arrow III allows for overriding the AP if the rudder deflection is large enough. Then I can even go into a spin without the AP to disconnect. However, if I deflect the aileron to one direction by a low amount I can see the AP to correct for it, regardless for how long I apply the deflection.

Karl

7 hours ago, Bert Pieke said:

if I hold the yoke position, the AP reaches its limit and puts me into a spiral dive, without disconnecting.

Watch the trim when that happens, i think the AP is trimming to the limits to attempt to counter your input.

Its the same thing that happens that sends the tubeliners into chaos when the controls aren't exactly centered. The fix for that one is to set a larger dead zone. 

The official forums always have someone complaining about that one. 

Use AP all the time in JF Arrow, Seminole, and Mooney. Don't have any issues. Track normally. 

Hi

I do not have AP issues with MSFS TBM9, Bonanza, and C172 ( the GA planes I use).

Wiyh the G36 I use these MODS

(1) MOD Bonanza Turbo V3

https://www.nexusmods.com/microsoftflightsimulator/mods/489?tab=files&file_id=1056

(2) MOD Working Title (WT) G1000 v0.3.5

https://packages.workingtitle.aero/g1000/2021/04/14/g1000-release-v0.3.5.html

Regards

AHS712D Alvaro Escorcia KSGR

AirHispania Virtual Airline

8 hours ago, mattn said:

Watch the trim when that happens, i think the AP is trimming to the limits to attempt to counter your input.

Not sure how to watch the aileron trim... is there a way?

On 5/15/2021 at 4:53 PM, Bert Pieke said:

Not sure how to watch the aileron trim... is there a way?

Depends on the plane really. If you're in a plane that has a trim position indicator, you can see it.

Yeah, in a lot of planes you need to be able to spawn a virtual dog to bite you if you try and touch the controls while the autopilot is enabled.

What I've noticed MOST NOTABLLY with GPS mods installed..

When upgrading. DELETE THE MOD FOLDER FIRST before upgrading that GPS mod.

Great example. I was using the Bonanza (with the Turbo mod) with the 750 GPS and every single time I hit that that APPROACH button chaos would ensue. Then I deleted all GPS mods and reinstalled them in a hunch. There aren't many so it wasn't that much of a pain.

Next flight. My baby followed that ILS like a cat finding catnip.. No issues at all..