Hi everyone,
I have about 4 hours in the Comanche now. I experienced a problem while using the autopilot. I was cruising at 11000 feet and had low sensing engaged to track a radial from a VOR. The aircraft was trimmed for straight and level. I was near some convective activity as well. I engaged altitude hold on the autopilot, and the aircraft pitched up rather abruptly. It quickly stalled and may have spun. By the time I was able to try to pull out of the resulting dive, I exceeded VNE and suffered an in-flight break-up.
Anybody ever experience anything similar?
Thanks,
-B
Autopilot induced loss of control
- Nick - A2A
- A2A Captain
- Posts: 13805
- Joined: 06 Jun 2014, 13:06
- Location: UK
Re: Autopilot induced loss of control
Did you notice if the trim wheel was turning when this upset happened? It sounds a bit like a trim runaway, and although the S-TEC System 30 autopilot doesn't have a pitch trim servo, a few users have reported the trim running apparently of its own accord in the sim.
An FSX/P3D function which is known to cause this is the "Autothrottle enagage (TOGA)" command. Therefore, if you have a joystick button or key assigned to this and it's been activated, that could explain your problem.
In other cases (here's an example), the culprit will be a basic control conflict with the trim commands so this may be worth investigating too.
If you can provide a bit more info on any other software you're using (stuff like FSUIPC and external weather engines) it might provide other clues.
Thanks,
Nick
An FSX/P3D function which is known to cause this is the "Autothrottle enagage (TOGA)" command. Therefore, if you have a joystick button or key assigned to this and it's been activated, that could explain your problem.
In other cases (here's an example), the culprit will be a basic control conflict with the trim commands so this may be worth investigating too.
If you can provide a bit more info on any other software you're using (stuff like FSUIPC and external weather engines) it might provide other clues.
Thanks,
Nick
- guillaume78150
- Staff Sergeant
- Posts: 467
- Joined: 08 Oct 2015, 06:07
- Location: North Burgundy
- Contact:
Re: Autopilot induced loss of control
I experienced it once. I managed to recover and could land the A/C. The hangar check reported a trim broken link. My fault, I did not pre-flight...
- Nick - A2A
- A2A Captain
- Posts: 13805
- Joined: 06 Jun 2014, 13:06
- Location: UK
Re: Autopilot induced loss of control
Yeah, that's a very good point Guillaume. Definitely worth checking the maintenance hangar (shift 7) before delving into control assignments.
Thanks
Nick
Thanks
Nick
-
- Airman
- Posts: 36
- Joined: 27 Jul 2017, 13:24
Re: Autopilot induced loss of control
Hi everyone,
Thanks for your help thus far. Sorry it took a few days to get back.
I was not able to tell whether the trim handle moved during the event. I also looked to see if I had the TOGA assigned to any buttons on by controller, and I do not. I can't remember the default key sequence that is assigned, but it requires pressing three keys at once. I am sure that I did not press them.
Concerning a mechanical issue, none were found during preflight. After the crash, the aircraft required multiple repairs, though.
For weather I use Active Sky, but I can't remember which version.
I will report back if the same problem happens again. I was able to use the autopilot successfully on a flight prior to the crash.
-B
Thanks for your help thus far. Sorry it took a few days to get back.
I was not able to tell whether the trim handle moved during the event. I also looked to see if I had the TOGA assigned to any buttons on by controller, and I do not. I can't remember the default key sequence that is assigned, but it requires pressing three keys at once. I am sure that I did not press them.
Concerning a mechanical issue, none were found during preflight. After the crash, the aircraft required multiple repairs, though.
For weather I use Active Sky, but I can't remember which version.
I will report back if the same problem happens again. I was able to use the autopilot successfully on a flight prior to the crash.
-B
-
- Staff Sergeant
- Posts: 261
- Joined: 23 Nov 2012, 09:41
- Location: C29
Re: Autopilot induced loss of control
For me this happened with a GoFlight mcp pro that would trigger auto throttle on its own sometimes, which would then lead to runaway trim with the autopilot. I was able to fix it by using pollypot software to disable that switch.
-stefan
-stefan
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 31 guests