Autopilot course deviation

[avanderi]

Hi,

When I tune a VOR into NAV1, set a CRS to it, and set AP to NAV, the plane banks from left to right around the course-setting. It does not fly the set CRS straight and level.

It happens to default and add-on planes.What could be wrong?

Thanks
+++++
Why don't they make the whole aircraft out of that black box stuff?

[Leviatan5]

How far from the VOR are you? If you're at about 5nm or closer it's probably better to hand fly rather than using the AP, since it goes all over the place trying to perfectly track the radial. The closer you get to the station, the more sentitive it is.

[demanton]

The area that close to a VOR is known as the "cone of confusion" because of the tendency for the needle to swing erratically. It's due to the way the signal radiates from the station. The autopilot will also have trouble intercepting a VOR radial farther out if you attempt to intercept at too high of an angle, and will overcompensate and make several corrections to get on the beam. Hope this helps.