What's happening to my plane? A VERY weird problem.

**7reddy** · 08-13-2012, 06:46 AM

Hello,
Sometimes when I'm flying, I'll have autopilot, flight directory, altitude hold, NAV hold and speed hold on. I'll be flying and my speed hold will go to 195 knots or switch off. Then I get a stall warning at 300 knots, and an over speed warning at 301 knots! Then the plane will start doing things not possible, like moving up at 500 knots with the nose down, and moving across the country without even banking. It just happens for no reason!
Please help, I'm new to flight simulators.
Mark.

**bgets** · 08-13-2012, 07:21 AM

What aircraft are you using? Or does it happen with all aircraft? First thought is pitot heat not on.
Bob G.

**f16jockey_2** · 08-13-2012, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by 7reddy

Then the plane will start doing things not possible, like moving up at 500 knots with the nose down, and moving across the country without even banking.

Congratulations ! You found the "SLEW"-key ( "Y" by default).

Wim

**mrzippy** · 08-13-2012, 10:23 AM

Now if the "McCoys" were singing it would be " Hang on Slew-Key" "Slew-Key Hang on!" Oh, man, it's only Monday!

**7reddy** · 08-13-2012, 12:04 PM

1. It's not the slew key, it's behaving strange, it starts looking like it is being thrown around by turbulence, then it just moves really strangely, banking, pitching etc.

2. Can I ask what the pitot heat would have to do with it? It does happen with all planes.

**mrzippy** · 08-13-2012, 12:16 PM

Depending on weather conditions and altitude the pitot heat will keep the altitude and other air sensitive instruments working and not icing over. Does the autopilot have a yaw damper setting? That would help to keep it on your heading. What altitude does this happen at? Possible jetstream turbulence.

**Paxx** · 08-13-2012, 12:17 PM

There is a tube, the Pitot Tube, on most aircraft that sticks out into the airstream somewhere. This tube measures airstream pressure and translates this pressure to air speed simply put. At altitude ice can clog the tube. Pitot heat keeps the ice off.

A clogged up Pitot tube can give erroneous data about aircraft speed and as such confuse the autopilot.

Mentioning what aircraft you are using might help someone help you.

**lefu** · 08-13-2012, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by 7reddy

1. It's not the slew key, it's behaving strange, it starts looking like it is being thrown around by turbulence, then it just moves really strangely, banking, pitching etc.

2. Can I ask what the pitot heat would have to do with it? It does happen with all planes.

I dont think its the pitot heat. Are you familiar with fsx files and folders ? :

you should try moving your default flight file (.flt file in "my documents/flight simulator files..") and "fsx.cfg" file( in "application data...") to another folder ( lets say in your desktop ) DONT ERASE THEM !!!.

as soon as fsx restarts it will rebuilt new ones and refresh FSX so you can get rid of that problem.

I dont think its worst than that, dont worry