Lou -

The auto pilot is working great and I think I am picking up on this old buzzard!! Took me right down to the threshold at SDF

http://vimeo.com/10510499

Bruce

Once the mains touch the first thing you do is get the spoilers up to dump lift so the weight is on the main gear. Then get the reversers open.

Now lets see some hand flown approaches....  ;D

JP -

I have the spoilers programmed to a switch on the right side of the yoke. I have to deploy the reversers before I can move my right hand from the throttles to the yoke. That same switch also operates the gear, in the opposite direction, so if I move too quickly and hit it wrong the gear will retract.

Whaddaya mean hand flown approaches? That WAS hand flown----from about 20 feet!! Geese!

If I had a f/o to handle the radio, the flaps. and the video clips, I'd hand fly the approach now and then.  ;D

Okay, I'll try a MIA/SXM flight in this beast. That should give you lots more to fuss about! Picky, picky!

Really, I actually appreciate the critique & tips!!! It's fascinating to hear how it should be done. All this training for free!! Thanks!

Bruce

Bruce,

Re-program the spoilers to another switch.

It's more important to deploy the spoilers on touchdown.

BTW, remember the thing I talked about in the Hoot story - the spoiler mixer ratio changer? Well there was a little trap in the deployment of spoilers in that the handle must be moved to the full position rapidly to avoid squirrelly movement of the ailerons. There was a checklist item - Landing with available gear - where you would use partial (50%) spoiler handle deployment when one of the main gear would not extend. It was designed to help keep the no gear side off the ground as long as possible. So if you move the spoiler handle slowly during landing, and you have any aileron input at the time, it gets interesting. We used to demo this to new captains during checkout.

When we first had the 727's the engine reverse had blocker doors that would extend and block engine exhaust and deflect it forward. Just deploying the doors in idle thrust was effective in slowing the aircraft. The maintenance on the blocker doors was high and many times after deployment, they were hard to stow. so the doors were removed and the cascade system was used, which is what it depicted in this model.

To night, shoot some Manhattan Approaches - some bitters, couple oz. of bourbon, couple oz. sweet vermouth + cherry

Then try a few hand flown landings  :P  I'm sure they will be great!

Lou -

You are a walking, talking manual! As JP said---how the heck do you remember all this!?

The only other button that really makes sense is the red one on the front of the left handle of the Saitek yoke--- which is currently the AP Master on/off switch. You see I push that button with my left fore finger about 20ft above the runway and hand fly from there with my left hand on the throttles!  ;D

I recently tried the spoilers from that button, but went back to the way I had it. I have 2 Saitek throttle quads but couldn't get them to work together so I disconnected one. I could reconnect them and try to use 1 lever for the spoilers and one for flaps but that doesn't seem possible because of the axis nature of the thing???? Really don't know if that's possible!!

Heh-heh-heh! Manhattan approaches? Now we're talking about something I have advanced training in! In fact I have several thousand hours executing Manhattan approaches ----approaches to the dinner table that is. I learned very quickly, when I first started simming about 8 years ago, one can not drink and fly computer airplanes. I gave up on that almost immediately. I don't even try well after dinner is long over! Once the cocktail bell sounds simming is over for the day!!

I have a man sized crystal bucket that I can hardly grasp with one hand (bought 4 in England 30 years ago) that I use for Manhattans and Martinis on the rocks. Last night was Manhattan night. Next Manhattan night I'll take a picture for you.!! You'll be impressed!!  :o

Right now I am going to load up a MIA/SXM flt and impress JP and yourself with a visual landing at PJ!! U-huh! Sure I will!

Bruce

btscott wrote on Mar 29^th, 2010 at 6:45pm:

I have 2 Saitek throttle quads but couldn't get them to work together so I disconnected one. I could reconnect them and try to use 1 lever for the spoilers and one for flaps but that doesn't seem possible because of the axis nature of the thing???? Really don't know if that's possible!!

You can do that with a registered copy of FSUIPC
http://www.schiratti.com/dowson.html

Beans -

I don't have the registered version. Probably another of those *should haves*. I  mull that over every now and then. You can have a $1000 in a $50 sim pretty quick -- Not counting the Hardware.

Lou -

I paused the sim 160 miles from SXM when the cocktail bell sounded at 1700 this evening. I slewed up to the bar to set up the Manhattan Approach!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWusToxVJAE  

Bruce

btscott wrote on Mar 30^th, 2010 at 4:26am:

Beans - I don't have the registered version. Probably another of those *should haves*. I  mull that over every now and then. You can have a $1000 in a $50 sim pretty quick -- Not counting the Hardware.

I was the same, it was ages before I finally got it.
Its well worth it and is one of those how the heck did I get on without this before things as theres so much that you can do with your controls that FSX wont do by default.

One quick example is the thrust reversers. in FSX you can only setup one reverser that controls all the engines together. With FSUIPC you can setup separate reversers for each engine.

Yeah, I need to get TrackIR, FSUIPC Reg., Radar Ctc, PNW, I guess the EZdoc camera thing is the rage now too (but doesn't work with TIR), Ultimate TrafficX, and several more.

Also struggling with new motorcycle cravings and a vacation trip!

What I need is a job!!   ;D

Yes, the Track I.R. is a cool tool, but I mostly fly without it since you need to pay attention to how you sit.

Bruce, I have a 2007 Harley Soft Tail Deluxe and a 2002 Indian Road Master Chief & I enjoy them both. In the past I've had BMW's and Honda's as well. Live to ride!

I loved your Manhattan 1 Departure....I like mine shaken not stirred.  ;)

Lou

Captain Lou!

A Manhattan 1 departure! That sounds pretty business like. Okay, so you drink'em up! I do mine on the rocks ---mostly, but not always.

I'm still 160 miles from TNCM. Didn't fire up the sim today cuz it was 80+ here and I rode my bike most of it. Got home just as the cocktail bell rung! Going to be 70 tomorrow. Will try the visual at TNCM early A.M.

This is getting co-incidental! We both love airplanes (but you're the real deal here)! We both love motorcycles and I'm a real deal here as I have had 54 since 1970 (and I've ridden close to a half a million miles)! We both drink Manhattans! We both ride HDs! Almost bought a Super Glide Custom today!

Btw, I'd make a good FO for you cuz I know what to say:

Nice landing sir--- I'll buy the first round--- I'll take the ugly one!
(no doubt that is old hat to you)

Here's 3 bike videos:

http://www.vimeo.com/10571705   (2 min)

http://www.vimeo.com/10571683   (3 min)

http://www.vimeo.com/10571564   (11 min) This is a 2008 trip thru CO/UT/AZ/NM

Bruce

Can someone explain to Me how to work the 727s Autopilot. Cheers

Anybody?

I see no one has offered any help yet. I am leaving on a 2 week trip tomorrow morning, so I don't have time right now.

I am not an expert and don't really know if I am using the AP properly, but I can help to some degree. I figured it out mainly by trial and error along with some coaching above by Lou and Jet Pilot who are real world 727 pilots. Btw, I have the latest version of the 721 ---I think it's 2.4. If you have an earlier version there were some problems with the AP as I recall, in which case I won't be of any help.

When I get back if you still need help I'll do what I can to get you to a point that you get up and down using it. For starters though---there is no auto throttle. Power is manually controlled throughout the flite. The Heading Hold and Heading Bug work like the default planes. I suggest you play around with the AP by clicking on the various switches and knobs to see what they do. If you can work the AP on the default airplanes you can most likely figure it out.

Bruce

Thanks, I'll give it a bash, going to be fun with no autothrottle mind!

Hi.

I would suggest you read this topic HERE. We had good discussion about the 727 Autopilot and how to get the best out of it. It mainly discusses the approach, which is the hardest part of using the AP.

OK. So here is how I do it:

Take Off and Climb: Once I have taken off and established a climb at about 240-250 knots, I turn on the AP. I use the 2D panel because I find it easier to use than the 3D. I adjust the trim to maintain the airspeed and once I reach 10,000 feet I lower the nose to gain a speed of around 280 knots for the rest of the climb. For the info on the approach, read the topic in the link above.

Navigating: I'm a flight planner navigator. In other words I rarely to VOR to VOR navigation in the 727. I create a flight plan in FSX Flight Planner or FS Commander 8.6 (saved as a FS Flight Plan) and load it. I have adde a NAV/GPS Switch to the 727 Autopilot Panel so I just need to switch it between NAV and GPS (I'm just stating the obvious here) and then I switch to NAV LOC to follow either the GPS flight plan or the direction to the next VOR.

I hope this helps.

Mark

EDIT: Just so you know. I'm using v2.4

I do it pretty much the same as Mark does it. I added the NAV/GPS switch and usually import GPS Direct flight plans from FSX. Then the AP can track the FSX GPS flight plan. I usually file VFR plans at the outset and re-file IFR about 150 miles from the destination. Then I revert to Manual from VOR/LOC on the AP and follow ATC instructions to the Localizer. After recieving final vectors to the Localizer I switch from Manual to Auto GS on the AP. The AP then picks up the Localizer and also picks up and follows the Glide Slope right down to the runway threshold. I disconnect the AP about 100 feet from touch down. Works perfectly if you have the correct ILS frequency loaded in the NAV 1 radio. The only exception is there are some bugs in FSX at some airports where the ILS doesn't work properly. Not the fault of the AP!

Here's a link to a video where the AP works as I described above. At the beginning of the video you can see the 2D AP at the top. Doesn't really show the switches moving but trust me the AP is working as it should all the way to the runway. Don't get behind on the power as it is difficult to recover!!

http://www.vimeo.com/10510499

Bruce

Great Video btscott: I do the same...Matt told me how...But it almost always lands short of the runway threshold? I'm not sure if it's my power settings? or something else??

Berlopez wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2010 at 8:55pm:

Great Video btscott: I do the same...Matt told me how...But it almost always lands short of the runway threshold? I'm not sure if it's my power settings? or something else??

Hi Bernardo.

That has only happened to me once. It was when I forgot to disengage the Autopilot when I reached my Decision Height.

Mark

Can I ask two questions:
how do I set altitude
how do I set heading

(sorry if I sound dumb but i'm new to steam gauge planes)

cheers

Hey, easy on the old lady!

As JP says "This was when pilots were pilots!" This plane was flown with a full fist, not the end of a finger.  ;D

http://home.comcast.net/~lou.lynn/ap.jpg

You set altitude by flying the plane to the correct altitude and then engage altitude hold on the autopilot.
Use SHIFT-4 to display the autopilot.
To engage the autopilot you can engage just the AIL paddle and control the pitch by yourself, or engage AIL and ELE
To hold a heading, crank in the present heading in the HSI (Horizontal Situation Indicator - looks like a compass), then engage heading select on the autopilot. You can then steer the plane with the knob on the HSI, or you can select a NAV-LOC position and let the plane steer itself.

Have fun!
Lou

Thanks alot mate! I Appreciate the help!!

Hi Lou,
I joined this forum, because there have been some problems regarding the ap. And I learned a lot - it was rather easy to follow your ideas, though English language is not my native one!

BUT even more fascinating are your reports about the experiences, flying the corridor to Berlin.

Lou, you should know, that you are still very much welcomed in Germany!

Wolf-Dieter

It might be time to start a new thread for AUTOPILOT, since we seem to be drifting into issues about spoilers and reversers - which are also of great interest to me. But to autopilot. The AP in my 727 will not track the glideslope. Everything else - heading, VOR/LOC - is fine, but when I go to Auto G/S or Manual G/S, the aircraft maintains selected altitude and does not pitch to follow the glideslope. Actions such as switching off Alt Hold or the elevator switch results in loss of the localizer as well. Strangely, though, there have been a couple of times (out of many attempts) when it appears to work, especially if I hand-fly into the ILS, then switch the AP to Auto G/S. I recall having the same issue with the CS 727 Professional in FS9. It's just one glitch, but it does spoil the experience of flying this beautiful bird. I am keen to get the 707 also, but expect that the AP will have the same problem. I wish I knew the secret which is obviously working for some others. One possibility which was revealed to me by Tech Support for another product. If, after installing FSX, you immediately install SP1, then SP2/Acceleration, there can be problems with some aircraft. You need to install FSX, do a quick flight and save it, then install SP1, again do a short flight, then install SP2/Acceleration. Having done a full clean install of FSX, I am reluctant to wipe everything (all that scenery!) and start again in the hope that it might help with the 727, but I might get desperate enough to give it a try. Any comments, chaps?

Hi Red STar

I fly the ILS by first capturing the Localizer while I'm below the G/S. As the G/s gets right near the middle, I switch the Autopilot to AUTO G/S. Once I have a pretty good track on both Localizer and G/S I switch the Autopilot to MAN G/S. Once I reach MINIMUMS (150-200 feet), I turn the Autopilot OFF and land it myself.

MAN G/S seems to hold the ILS approach better than the AUTO G/S. LOU, delta dog or JETPILOT said that the MAN G/S was less sensitive and was better for tracking the Localizer and G/S. Give what I suggested a try and see if it does better.

Hope this helps.

Mark

Markoz wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2010 at 1:55am:

I have adde a NAV/GPS Switch to the 727 Autopilot Panel

How you do that?

EDIT: Nevermind, I found it.