[Still cannot get DC-3 A/P to Engage?]

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.

[Still cannot get DC-3 A/P to Engage?]

Most aircraft require the inverter to be on in order for the A/P to work.

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.

[Still cannot get DC-3 A/P to Engage?]

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

[Still cannot get DC-3 A/P to Engage?]

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?

[Still cannot get DC-3 A/P to Engage?]

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?

[Still cannot get DC-3 A/P to Engage?]

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

[Still cannot get DC-3 A/P to Engage?]

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.

[Still cannot get DC-3 A/P to Engage?]

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?"

[MU-2 progress towards update]

Hmmm, disapointing, i'd say. I'd imagined something more reminiscent of their products.

http://foodsmartworl...nz_425_gram.jpg

Maybe I will indulge in making a proper heinz livery, in a distant future though...

E.

Shouldn't there be 57 varieties of the livery?

[MU-2 progress towards update]

First we need to catsup on the MU2.

[MU-2 progress towards update]

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.