I tried to register on that website, but it said registration is closed.

My question is about F-86's autopilot. How is it used? There's nothing in the manual that's included with the sim. I tried use a different autopilot, but that was only partially successful.

The name of the aircraft under FS2004/Aircraft is "SF8_F-86EF_Sabre."

I'd appreciate your help.

Art

Hi Paul,

The AP in the version I'm using has the type that was in the real F-86. I tried the Lear's AP, which has worked perfectly in everything else I've installed it in, but not this one. I've even tried to dig the AP files out out the CAB file, but even though I can open the CAB archive with 7-Zip, I can't delete them. Programming isn't one of my skills.

I think you've solved my problem with the link you've provided. Thank you.

Art

The panel of the Section 8 aircraft is heavily programmed to replicate as close as possible all parts of the operation of the real F-86.  Very well put together, but I'm not sure I've ever used the autopilot, other than maybe just an altitude hold function.  Obviously, it probably lacks many of the more modern features of autopilots, such as GPS/NAV hold, or autothrottle functions.

I confess. I spoke too soon about the Lear AP working great in the F-86. When I click it on, it grabs on to the current altitude and stays there. Trying to change it with the AP doesn't work. Turning it off, changing the altitude setting, setting the rate of climb, then turning the AP on results in the AP altitude setting reverting to the altitude I'm at. The VS also changes back to zero. However, I can manually change altitude, and re-engage the AP to hold the new altitude.

It will respond to new heading changes while engaged, although it overbanks and overshoots and eventually damps out on the new heading. It's also overly aggressive when intercepting new VOR courses. I may have to mess with the autopilot settings in the aircraft.cfg file to tame that down.

It's also very aggressive when intercepting to ILS localizer courses. Changes in rate of descent while chasing the glide slope are also some times a bit extreme, but a hand on the stick with the AP engaged can keep that under control.

All in all, a great sim of what, in my opinion, is the second most slickest-looking airplane of its era. My first choice is the Hawker Hunter, which you can find at CBFS. It's free.

Art

I agree that the F-86 AP programming is still affecting the Lear AP, even though I removed the AP files from what was the F-86's original CAB file.

The overcontrolling has to do with the values in the [autopilot] section of aircraft.cfg. I'm experimenting with those and searching online for more information.

Art

If anyone is interested in more about this airplane's autopilot and autopilots in general, go to CalClassic Discussion, and scroll down to "Autopilot Question."

Art