jagipson

Now, I definitely not asking you to modernize the DC-3 (My opinion, anyway). I just would like to learn the proper procedure for engine leaning with MP and RPM...

Oh, I wasn't necessarily requesting an EGT -- I assume many planes in this vintage don't have them. I was just wondering if there is an alternate way to lean the mixture w/o EGT. I've been doing it by leaning back until the engine MP drops off (and it drops of very fast when you get to that threshold, because the engine is starving at that point) and enriching about 10% from that point.

What is the proper way to lean the mixture on the DC-3? There is no EGT, which is what I was taught to use for mixture leaning.

For all you panel builders out there, working on the classics: Source: http://www.aviationancestry.com/

I'd love to see the documentation you have for the A/P. My father (again, Avionics Engineer) did mention that some very early Sperry A/P only use vacuum power. He mentioned that if electricity is used it would most likely be A/C and control the yaw/pitch feedback indicator; however, to me, it resembles an pneumatic one (but I'm certainly no expert). Which A/P is this one modeled after? The A-1? A-3? Also, is it true that this A/P doesn't home (heading hold)? It looks like it should have pitch hold, yaw hold, and both a roll hold and a mutually exclusive heading hold. (Again no expert). It seems that the adjustable heading card below the DG acts only like a informational bug, which does not supply an input to the A/P. Is it strictly an informational bug, or is it really a heading input for the A/P HDG mode? I don't know why I'm so interested. I guess it's because I've always been fascinated by the DC-3. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and *very* nice job on this ACF.

The only electrical components are the power light itself, and possibly the pitch/yaw indicator. I just got off the phone w/ my father (who actually, yes, engineers and designs A/P systems and Avionics), and he confirmed this for a vacuum-driven Sperry A/P. The light could be either AC or DC, but if a servo/actuator is used to position the yaw/pitch indicator that would very most likely be A/C.

Fooled me! Nothing else on the DC-3 seems to be tied to A/C power, and with the gyros being vacuum controlled, I can't image what the A/C power would be used for.

By the way, I reinstalled the plugins, they were not having any side effects. Just the inverter.

okay; suggestion time! I searched all three manuals for "Inverter." No mention in the Autopilot manual or checklists. The POH only mentions that is supplies A/C power to "some systems." Wherever deemed most appropriate, having the words "Auto Pilot" and "Inverter" together in the documentation would have helped me earlier when I searched for "Autopilot" in an attempt to figure this thing out. Also, since the A/P Engage lamp illuminates momentarily when the switch is clicked, 'it feels' like the system has power (but something else is wrong). I don't know what level of control plane authors have over the systems (I've only developed scenery (and in fact have one APT that is absolutely darling with the DC-3 parked on the apron - look up T82 - Gillespie County on the ORG)) but it would be nice (if not too much trouble) if the switch was allowed to stay in the "on" position (even with no power), but the light stays off (doesn't even flicker). Then if the inverter is turned on later (with the A/P switch still ON) the A/P engages. Probably not the best thing to happen when fiddling with switches, buy hey, if this is what would really happen, then why not?

AAAhhhhhhhh HA! The plugin removal had no effect; however, after trying all manners of switches, I discovered that the "Inverter" needs to be activated (Batteries/Generators aren't enough). Does such a primitive A/P really, really use AC power?

Can I engage A/P on the ground? (this may speed up troubleshooting).

I've cycled X-plane several times (and even rebooted) but the issue remains. When I click the A/P master switch to the on position, it snaps immediately to the off position, simultaneously the red A/P engaged lamp flashes on for about 100ms, then off. I'm not afraid of the shell, so if you need me to run a test or anything in the Gizmo console, just let me know.

I downloaded the DC-3 most recently on April 3, and the A/P still doesn't engage... I only got 3 download links and have used 2 already. Will X-Aviation reset my download links? P.S. Ooops; make the Forum title "Still cannot get DC-3 A/P to Engage?"

Shouldn't there be 57 varieties of the livery?

First we need to catsup on the MU2.

Perhaps you can 'fix' the MU2 (so it works reasonably) for XP10, then you could make (and sell) an new MU2 product strictly for XP10. I'd be willing to pay for it again, if that got the kinks worked out and saw a few additional improvements.