Firstly, I take no credit for the technical parts of this. All I did was read a Readme file (included) one day and had a play around, and found that I could retro-fit a working Auto-Pilot to most helicopters in my hangar. That Readme file was by Dirk Fassbender so it is he who inspired me initially. The guy who made this possible, the creator of the gauge, is Antti Pankkonen who has pointed me in the right direction. I must also thank Steve VertiGo Chase and Alun Oil Rig Heseltine for reviewing my instructions and lots of flight testing, help and support.
I hope you have as much fun fitting this to helicopters as I have :)
Martin Gizmocat Benson
martinbenson@airwegogroup.co.uk
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DISCLAIMER
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MAKE COPIES OF ANY FILE YOU EDIT !!!
I cannot be held responsible for loss, damage, injury or any problems you have while following these instructions. From here on in, you do everything at your own risk. The following instructions have been tested in FS9, FS2004, FSCOF, what ever you want to call it. They have not, and will not, be tested in earlier versions. These instructions are copyright to myself. If you want to use the gauge in another package, then the gauge is copyright Antti so you must speak to him. This package is freeware and may not be used or distributed in any form if the distributor is making money. I do not provide tech support, my best advice is RTFM ;-) These instructions must be distributed with this package. They have been tested so I know they work. (But I hang around at Hovercontrol and will help if I can)
Sorry, but if you dont understand the following instructions, then its probably better for you not to edit anything. Maybe ask a friend to help.
And dont forget
MAKE COPIES OF ANY FILE YOU EDIT !!!
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Easy Auto-Pilot
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Follow the instructions below and you should be able to have a working AP in most helicopters in about 10 minutes ! If you have problems, then just revert back to your original Panel and Aircraft .cfg files.
Refer to the diagram below when reading
(open the AP.jpg)
Explanation of the diagram
1 Stabilisation activation button. AP will not do anything until this button is pressed. Also activates with [Shift + R]
2 Heading Hold activation hotspot. 7 and 8 hotspots adjust heading + - respectively. 1 click = 10 degrees, or adjust your heading bug.
3 Vertical Speed activation hotspot. 4 and 5 hotspots adjust VS + - respectively. 1 click = 100 fpm
6 Altitude Hold button. When the required alt is reached, press this button to de-activate the V/S knob and maintain the alt. (Straight and level).
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Installation
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Use NotePad to edit the files and be sure to make copies of the files you are editing so if it doesnt work, or you make a mistake, you can revert to the original files.
1 - Make a copy of the aircraft.cfg file
2 Edit the Aircraft.cfg file by replacing the existing [autopilot] section with the following :-
6 Again, replace X with the number you used in step 4.
7 Copy the as532_afcp.gau file into the main gauge folder.
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Using the Auto-Pilot
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( Note - Speed is changed with the collective throughout )
1 Set heading bug for desired course/runway heading. (When AP is engaged, change the heading bug to change course).
2 Click hotspot 4 five times to input a 500fpm climb rate. (Or 100fpm per click)
3 - Take off and once you are above 200 and over 40kts, click hotspot 1 to activate the AP. Then click hotspot 2 and hotspot 3. The aircraft should turn onto the course selected by the heading bug and start to climb at 500fpm.
4 When the desired altitude is reached, click hotspot 6, to de-activate the climb. The aircraft should now level out and hold this altitude.
To climb higher, click hotspot 3 to re-engage the V/S. Again, when the desired alt is reached, click hotspot 6.
5 To descend, you must input a descent rate.
Now, click hotspot 5 to set the descent rate. 1 click = 100fpm. Click hotspot 3 to activate the descent.
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Important Info
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To see the AP, select the menu Views > Instrument Panel > Auto Pilot
Initially, there will be a black space under the AutoPilot buttons. This is the annunciator, where you will see the settings that are active. This is normal, there isnt anything missing.
You will not get a readout on the annunciator until you activate a channel.
You cannot activate a channel unless you are travelling faster than 40kts and are above 200ft AGL. Some of the other buttons work as well, but Ill let you experiment :). I dont want to spoil all your fun!! (Hint, if you have FSNav, try plotting a course then hitting Fly FP ). The above instructions should at least get you flying a basic AP system.
Enjoy :)
MB