fsacof DC-3

[SSP]

Unable to turn on autopilot,unable to change com or nav frequencies with mouse or keyboard! However when using ATC to tune frequencies the frequnecies change. Only change to AC was to update sounds and handling. All other aspects OK....I am also able to change switch settings on radios

[budreiser]

Where is the AP in the DC-3? Please let me know if you find one

[bilbo]

There are two gauges dead center top of the panel. One the 2D it's on the right side. FOr the forst poster, the AP is a bit different from the more modern ones. Thre are instructions in the help files that explain how to use it.
Bilbo

[ezergailis]

Hi,

>Unable to turn on autopilot...

I spent lot of time to understand how to use DC3 autopilot. Now I can give some info on it. I am afraid, not complete yet.

First, the best vintage Sperry autopilot for DC3 has been done by Bill Rambow, Roy Chaffin and Arne Bartels, unfortunately for FS2000 only (see picture). The FS9 default DC3 autopilot is only a pale shadow of it, rather shortcut version. (There are heading and pitch reference knobs but no bank control, no sensitivity controls.)

Second, as soon as Sperry AP is a mere "gyro" device and just holds no more than aircraft attitude, while "normal" FS autopilot controls course, altitude, speed, etc., FS9 offers us a strange mix of them both. That cause problems in use.

Normally it is switched on clicking the down-left knob with a mouse, or using "AP master switch" keyboard command (Z).
Autopilot Heading Hold On/Off (CTRL+H) also switches it on, as well as Autopilot Altitude Hold On/Off (CTRL+Z) or Autopilot Attitude Hold On/Off (CTRL+T).

If you use Heading Hold command, heading reference takes current heading value. Turning Heading reference knob you can adjust course manually.

Next, try to turn pitch reference knob. You must see the "slot" indicator (indicates the desired artifical horizon position) moving up and down. If you doesn't see "slot" or it does not move, that means your AP is in a "confused" state. Press CTRL+T and it comes into Attitude Hold mode.

CTRL+Z overrides this mode and set on Altitude Hold control mode (as in a modern AP). In that case the "slot" is in center position and you can't move it with a knob. (This was my main problem to understand!)

There are two bug knobs as well. Unfortunately I don't know how to use them yet. Who helps?

[ezergailis]

And now at last there ia a post on the subject on flightsim.com: look dc3_ap.zip file.

Helps to fix DC3 autopilot whether not working properly!