Airspeed bug key presses

[davelee278]

Is there a way of assigning keys to operate the airspeed 'bug' on the autopilot?

At the moment if I want to change the airspeed on the airliners autopilot i need to use the mouse in the 3d or vc cockpit to operate the rotary dial, whereas i have switches on my joystick assigned to heading, OBS, alt and vert speed bugs. ( i have the saitek AV8R which has lots of swithces, very useful!)

I cant find anything in the autopilot or engines settings in the key commands section, am i missing something or do they not exist?

[napamule2]

Dave,
I don't know what list you are looking at, but my 'Autopilot Commands' list the 'Airspeed Hold' (on/off) as 'Ctrl+R'. This will hold whatever speed you are currently at, by adjusting the throttle automatically.

Trouble is this (throttle adjust) part doesn't work well sometimes. It is possibly the AC model / cfg / air file entries, but not sure. I hardly use speed hold, as I don't fly the big iron that much. Some fighter jet types give me trouble with this, as I DO try it anyway. The problem is the 'auto throttle arm' being yes or no or not even available to engage. You can try 'SHIFT+R' (autothrottle arm (on/off), along with the 'Ctrl+R', and then HOPE it all works. I am going to test it later, just to see.

So, as you see, not all models can handle the 'autothrottle' part of the AP 'speed hold' feature. It's a combination of the panel, the AP, the cfg entries, and the air file entires. They ALL have to be there in order for this to work. Too much trouble for me. But, since you have switches available on joy, go assign them, and then cross your fingers. You assign the buttons on the joy, and when you press you will find out (YES/NO) if that AC's panel / cfg / air file can handle it. The 747 should be the best bet for a 'sure' thing (watch throttle quadrant, and speed in 2D panel) and then try it on other AC, once you know switches work.
Chuck B
napamule
PS: Notice 'Ctrl+R' and 'SHIFT+R' for the 2 commands. You could try the 'Mach Hold' too (Ctrl+M) but that also requires 'auto throttle' and that's where you may get a 'problem'.

[robertr]

Can't remember if I changed this from default, but on mine "Ctrl+SHIFT+R" then "+" or "-" changes the AP speed.

I also have the "Ctrl+SHIFT+" "Z", "H" and "T" to change Altitude, heading and Attitude respectively without using mouse. Saves a lot of bouncing around with the mouse and seems to be a bit 'cleaner'.

[napamule2]

You MUST of changed the assignments / keypresses, as those are not the default. If anyone uses these combinations, they are not going to work, and then you'll have a disgruntled mouse yoker (heehee). Just thought you wanted to know. I listed the DEFAULT keypress for commads.
Chuck B
napamule

[robertr]

>If anyone uses these combinations, they are not going to work

Yes I did change them from default.

Guess I'm just either lucky or charmed since they work like a charm here. }( And so far they've worked on every version I've had since FS98

[davelee278]

Thanks for your reply.

I know of the auto throttle and airspeed hold switches, i will try messing sbout with them more. I was hoping somebody knew a trick so that i can adjust the speed bug setting without using my mouse in the VC or 2D cockpit, i have switches for everything else!

Normally i would adjust this speed whilst the autothrottle is engaged, to say slow down as you approach the airport, or speed up once over 10,000 ft. im simply looking for a way to adjust this without the mouse!

Thanks for your replies