Viscount problem

[Ralf Roggeveen]

Can someone please help with a Viscount problem?

Trying to fly a Viscount 813 (Andre Riemers' SAA texture on the Rick Piper version) and I've installed the 2012 Viscount 810 panel v.6.1 (fs9 version) by Rick Piper, Gary Russell and Fraser McKay.

The big difficulty is that Autopilot will NOT lock into climb.

Tried tweaking everything for several days now, to no avail. I am aware of Pressure settings on the overhead panel, powering up AP in advance, etc., but it just won't work!

This query originally appeared in

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/s ... count-prob

Please advise...

[Viscount Cornbank]

Hi Ralf,

Check the autopilot section in the aircraft cfg. matches this:

[autopilot]
autopilot_available=1
flight_director_available=1
default_vertical_speed=1500
autothrottle_available=1
pitch_takeoff_ga=8.0
autothrottle_arming_required=0
autothrottle_takeoff_ga=1
autothrottle_max_rpm=14200.0
use_no_default_pitch=1
use_no_default_bank=1
default_pitch_mode=0
default_bank_mode=0
max_pitch=8.0
max_pitch_acceleration=1.0
max_pitch_velocity_lo_alt=2.0
max_pitch_velocity_hi_alt=1.5
max_pitch_velocity_lo_alt_breakpoint=20000.0
max_pitch_velocity_hi_alt_breakpoint=28000.0
max_bank=22.0
max_bank_acceleration=1.3
max_bank_velocity=3.0
max_throttle_rate=0.1
nav_proportional_control=9.0
nav_integrator_control=0.25
nav_derivative_control=0.0
nav_integrator_boundary=2.5
nav_derivative_boundary=0.0
gs_proportional_control=9.52
gs_integrator_control=0.26
gs_derivative_control=0.0
gs_integrator_boundary=0.7
gs_derivative_boundary=0.0
yaw_damper_gain=0.0

It's a Smiths autopilot on the 813, so pulling out the power switch then waiting for the ready lamp to light is the correct power up procedure. When the green engage button is subsequently depressed the aeroplane should maintain the pitch attitude at the moment of engagement. This can then be adjusted with the pitch switch. Movement of the pitch switch will also cancel the altitude hold or glide functions.

Never had any problem with it. Try flying the 814 with the Bendix autopilot and see if you have the same difficulty.

cheers

Fraser

[TSR2]

Hi Ralf,

Welcome aboard. I don't have FS9 at the moment, but I can confirm that the elevator AP control is working in FSX. I assume you know that its a manual thing, in that it won't aquire an ALT, simply adjusts pitch?

Cheers

[Ralf Roggeveen]

Hi Gentlemen,

Thanks for swift reply. Autopilot config is perfect, Fraser; only recently downloaded.

It's the ZS-CDT texture on the base VA Viscount 810 that I'm having trouble with. As explained, Autopilot just won't hold pitch for initial climb.

I've tried other obvious tricks like keeping level for a bit in order to build up speed, but still no joy. Realism set fairly high and keeping an eye on RPM, etc. I also have the 802/806X (V4) Cockpit Manual printed out, p.18 of which gives AP Controller instructions which can't be that different from the 810's.

Maybe need to wait longer for something to kick in?

I don't have much Viscount experience, so it's probably a really basic thing everyone else takes for granted!

[TSR2]

So when you switch the AP master on, do you get the 'tick' in the check list? Once this is done, you'll need to wait a few minutes for the 'ready' lamp to light, before you can engage the AP. Is this happening for you?

[TSR2]

Another thought, have you tried it with one of the default repaints? It shouldn't make a difference, but good to rule out that as an issue. :-)

[Ralf Roggeveen]

Yes, AP is engaging correctly - can be used for turning, no problems. It is set to Gyro, won't lock Altitude till we get there (21000 ft in this case).

I think this is something to do with the exact sequence of doing things. Just had another go and NEARLY got it right, as it locked successfully climbing at 1100fpm. Did everything right, including closing Spill Valve #3 at 5000. I then tried to increase the rate of climb to 1500fpm, using the pitch control on the AP display. This worked for a while and we climbed beyond 11000, but then it lost it again (!) It was doing a reasonable 175 knots, but I didn't reduce throttle after takeoff at all.

Can you please tell me the correct rate of climb to set and best RPM settings? (Using the 802/806 manual may be my biggest mistake!)

Surely nothing to do with repaint texture..!?!

[Viscount Cornbank]

Hi Ralf,

Can't remember if the V4 ( ie the manual you refer to ) had the warmup delay, but as Ben says there is about a 45 second period between pulling the power switch and the READY light coming on.

Can you check it on the ground please;

Inverter switch at NORMAL, fail light out,

Pull out the power switch. All three channel switches at IN.

When READY light comes on, press ENGAGE button.

Check the three axis trim indicator in the coaming centre; make sure elevator bar moves to bottom of its travel.

cheers

Fraser

[Viscount Cornbank]

Sorry, post crossover

On the latest versions there are manuals on the kneeboard.

Your reference to GYRO makes me wonder; there is a GYRO setting on a Collins integrated flight system autopilot controller,
the latest Viscount 813 (SAA) has a Smiths SEP2, similar to the 802/806 setup. I'm wondering if there is a mixup somewhere.

You sound like you're doing everything else right; normal climb power on the 810 series is 14200 RPM/730'C TGT, flying at 180kt IAS, reducing to 165kt as the rate of climb falls to 500fpm.

cheers

Fraser