Autopilot

The autopilot flies the plane for you on long flights. The keys are the defaults (Options > Controls to change them). Press a mode's key to turn it on; press it again to turn it off.

Modes

• X: Level. Holds level flight at your current altitude and heading.
• Shift+X: Angle. Holds the climb or dive angle the nose has when you press it.
• Alt+X: Speed (auto-climb). Holds an airspeed: the plane climbs at that speed, so the climb rate is whatever the plane can do at that speed. The speed is the plane's best climb speed unless you set one with .speed.
• Ctrl+W: Formation. Flies in formation with your wingman when you are within 1000 yards. Some arenas turn it off.

Setting the speed: .speed

• Type .speed and a speed in mph, for example .speed 200. The Speed autopilot (Alt+X) then holds that indicated airspeed. The speed can be 50 to 400 mph, set while in flight.
• Alt+X always uses the last .speed you typed in this flight. Each new flight starts with the plane's best climb speed, and ending an auto takeoff also sets it back to the climb speed, so type .speed again after the takeoff.
• A lower speed gives a steeper climb; too low and the plane mushes or stalls. A higher speed climbs more gently but covers more ground.
• There is no setting for a climb rate (feet per minute), and no exact throttle setting: the autopilot holds speed with the nose, and you set the throttle (= and -, Shift+= for full).

Flying to a field (course)

• Ask Crew Chief, for example "set course for A12" or "fly to V3 at 12000 feet". He sets an autopilot course to that field.
• A course can only be set in the air. On the ground take off first, then ask.
• Without an altitude it climbs or descends to 5000 ft; you can ask for any altitude up to 50,000 ft.
• It turns toward the field, climbs (at most about 10 degrees nose up) or descends, and keeps steering and holding the altitude once it gets there.
• When it passes over the field it changes to Level autopilot and the course ends. It does not circle or land for you.
• The autopilot does not see the ground or hills. Pick an altitude that clears the terrain on the way, and watch your altitude near mountains.

Taking off

With the "Auto Engage Autopilot" option on, centering the stick on the runway starts an auto takeoff: it keeps the plane on the runway, raises the gear once climbing, picks up speed and then changes to the Speed autopilot and raises the flaps.

Turning it off

• Press the mode's key again, or move the stick: any real stick movement after the autopilot has been on for 2 seconds takes the controls back.
• Ask Crew Chief "autopilot off".