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MSFS2020 ATR72 Autopilot Won't Engage

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Dear All,

I foolishly bought the ATR42/72 package for MSFS202 recently, thinking that by now the aircraft would have been sorted out. 

Apparently I was wrong as I cannot engage the autopilot - as soon as I try to, it immediately disengages. 

May I ask if anyone else has had this problem and if you did, how did you fix it?

Best regards,

Peter

 

Working on my side so you might do something wrong.

There are so many tutorials on YT, you might take time to learn the aircraft as the logic is quite different of an A320 or 737.

Usually, while lining up the runway, I press HDG, NAV and IAS on the runway. Be sure that the speed bug is in purple so you are on auto mode.

Then push the throttle levers to the notch

After taking off, press the AP to turn on the A/P and move the power know to climb 

13 minutes ago, Peterwk said:

Dear All,

I foolishly bought the ATR42/72 package for MSFS202 recently, thinking that by now the aircraft would have been sorted out. 

Apparently I was wrong as I cannot engage the autopilot - as soon as I try to, it immediately disengages. 

May I ask if anyone else has had this problem and if you did, how did you fix it?

Best regards,

Peter

 

Follow the procedures and you'll be all set. It still has some issues, but the AP works well. The issues are mostly related to fuel unbalance between the two tanks and wrong weights when you first load your flightplan from Simbrief into the EFB, but you could leave the weights are they are and the unbalanced fuel will correct by itself when finishing the setup of the aircraft prior to taxi to the active.

Cheers, Ed

MSFS2020 Steam  // Rig: Corsair Graphite 760T Full Tower - ASUS MBoard Maximus XII Hero Z490 - CPU Intel i9-10900K - 64GB RAM - MSI RTX2080 Super 8GB - [1xNVMe M.2 1TB + 1xNVMe M.2 2TB (Samsung)] + [1xSSD 1TB + 1xSSD 2TB (Crucial)] + [1xSSD 1TB (Samsung)] + 1 HDD Seagate 2TB + 1 HDD Seagate External 4TB - Monitor LG 29UC97C UWHD Curved - PSU Corsair RM1000x // Thrustmaster FCS & MS XBOX Controllers

  • Author

I've been following all of the procedures using the guidance from the various YouTube videos that are out there.

I just tried a flight directly at the runway, i.e. everything is set up, checked the trim, operated the yaw damper, set the throttles to notch, set heading and IAS, the speed is purple, etc and I still can't engage the propeller.

  • Author

I've gone through his videos, which were very helpful.

I followed the procedures as he outlined in the videos.

I just tried a re-install and the problem is still there.

How are you trying to engage the AP after departure? 
 

Our SOP after takeoff is gear up, yaw damper on, taxi light out.  The AP would be preset with V2+5 and HDG Mode on the ground.  At 1000 feet AGL, set IAS (on the 72) to 170 knots, leave power levers in the notch (and condition levers in AUTO all the time), Power management knob to CLB, flaps up at white (or red) bug, and away you go.  Turn on course and then select NAV. 

  • Author
50 minutes ago, ATRguy said:

How are you trying to engage the AP after departure? 
 

Our SOP after takeoff is gear up, yaw damper on, taxi light out.  The AP would be preset with V2+5 and HDG Mode on the ground.  At 1000 feet AGL, set IAS (on the 72) to 170 knots, leave power levers in the notch (and condition levers in AUTO all the time), Power management knob to CLB, flaps up at white (or red) bug, and away you go.  Turn on course and then select NAV. 

Yes, after take-off, I put the yaw damper on and then try to put the AP on.  I pre-set the AP with IAS and HDG and ALT modes.

You’re not pressing the ALT button are you?  That will simply hold the  altitude the aircraft is at when you press it.  Just rotate the preselector to the altitude you want. 

  • Author
1 hour ago, ATRguy said:

You’re not pressing the ALT button are you?  That will simply hold the  altitude the aircraft is at when you press it.  Just rotate the preselector to the altitude you want. 

Not usually. I did once but it had no effect as the autopilot wouldn't engage.

Just to confirm:

  • Aileron and elevator are centered?
  • Flight director is centered?
  • Author
47 minutes ago, martinboehme said:

Just to confirm:

  • Aileron and elevator are centered?
  • Flight director is centered?

Yes to both questions.  I have flown many aircraft since my first flights with FS5.1.  I have never experienced this issue before.

  • Author

A new development - I noticed that after I taken off, the flight director guidance line goes down to the horizon line instead of going up to guide the pitch angle.  Is this a clue as to what the issue is?

  • Author
11 hours ago, Peterwk said:

Yes to both questions.  I have flown many aircraft since my first flights with FS5.1.  I have never experienced this issue before.

I'm sorry for my robust answer - it was late and I felt fed up with the aircraft.

  • Author
On 2/6/2025 at 2:15 PM, ATRguy said:

You’re not pressing the ALT button are you?  That will simply hold the  altitude the aircraft is at when you press it.  Just rotate the preselector to the altitude you want. 

Not usually. I did once but it had no effect as the autopilot wouldn't engage.

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