More on autopilot operations on the CS-727.

I just flew a bunch of ILS autopilot approaches to see how the CS-727 works. It is remarkable how this software simulates the real 727.

In past posts I reported that the heading select switch did not trip off on LOC intercept. Well, after several ILS approaches, one after another I want to report that the autopilot worked very well.

I set up the plane on an intercept heading of around 30 degrees to the localizer and on the initial approach altitude for the ILS selected and about 10 miles from the airport. I set up the autopilot & F/D in altitude hold and heading select. I released the plane from pause and selected G/S AUTO on both the autopilot and the F/D. I slowed to around 160 KTS with flaps 15 which is a normal setting for this phase of the approach. Give the autopilot a chance to do it's thing by not rushing the approach. During these approaches, the autopilot and F/D both captured the LOC and gave the correct turn information. The heading select did trip off each time during these approaches as it should. With the LOC captured and the plane at 160 KTS and flaps 15 degrees I am now trucking towards the runway. As the G/S comes alive select gear down. One dot to G/S intercept select flaps 30 degrees and as the plane pitches down at G/S intercept adjust power to maintain speed. For these approaches I set the fuel load to 20,000 # and I used around 125 KTS on final. All was pretty much routine except the F/D altitude hold switch did not trip to off, but the F/D did in fact show proper information during the approach.

Note on the F/D... To get "all angle capture" by the F/D you must first select HEADING SELECT and be in that mode for a few seconds before selecting G/S AUTO. The F/D will remain in heading select and can be controlled with the heading knob up until capture of the LOC. If you do not do this heading select first and go directly to G/S AUTO the F/D will program a 45 degree intercept. Not a big deal, but this will give you the option of guiding the plane to an intercept heading during vectoring.

Take note of the approach progress display group of lights on the instrument panel. They show the modes of the autopilot and the F/D as they go through the various arm & capture modes.

I hope this information helps. It's a bit technical, but simmers like myself enjoy the detail. I find this CS-727 to be a blast and a lot of fond memories of the old plane which was always fun to fly.

BTW the "don't sink" voice sang out from around 1,000 feet to about 100 feet during the approaches  >:(