Autopilot

Targetware supports several different modes of autopilot controls. All autopilot modes may not be available for all aircraft. This is controlled by the server (See Server Autopilot Settings below).

There are two types of Autopilot controls: Quick and Full.

Quick Autopilot (Auto level)

The 'quick autopilot or "auto-leveler," will attempt to hold the plane level on the current heading. It will not automatically succeed and it will not save your aircraft from some radical maneuver. For best results, you should hold your aircraft nearly level and steady and only then engage the quick autopilot. The default key assignment is Shift+A. You can change this by changing the key assignment for Autolevel in the Keys section of the Settings interface.

Note: Autopilot can drift! The quick autopilot is a hold mode; it only tries to hold the current heading and altitude. Because of variations in airframes, speed, etc., the heading and altitude can drift away from their initial vectors.

Full Autopilot

The autopilot is not magic; it tries to fly the plane as a human controller would by giving input to the control surfaces and seeking the desired setting, such as heading, altitude, etc.

Master Autopilot Control

The full autopilot is engaged and disengaged by using the ".auto [0/1]" command - 0 for Off, 1 for On. Engage it after you have set the key autopilot settings.

You can set the following parameters in the autopilot:

Autopilot settings are entered using the chat buffer and various dot commands.

Automatic Air Speed

A desired speed can be set with .autoias [speed]. The speed will be read in the same units you are using, either English, Metric or Nautical. Automatic Throttle, "Autothrot", must be enabled, and the Master Autopilot must be engaged for the desired setting to take effect.

To change units, enter the following into the chat buffer: .units [0, 1, or 2]. 0 = Metric, 1 = English, 2 = Nautical. For example, to use English units, ".units 1".

Example: To engage automatic pilot at 250 mph, assuming your units is set to English, enter:
.autoias 250
.autothrot 1
.auto 1

Automatic Climb Speed

You can set the desired climb or descent rate with .autovsi [vertical speed] (use negative values for descent). The vertical speed will be read in the according to the type of units you are using: Meters/Second in Metric, or Feet/Minute in English or Nautical. The Vertical Autopilot Mode must be set to either VSI or Select [ASK SICK ABOUT HOLD] and the Master Autopilot must be engaged.

Example: To engage the automatic pilot to climb at 500 feet per minute, assuming English units, enter:
.autovsi 500
.autovert vsi (or .autovert select)
.auto 1

Automatic Altitude

The autopilot can climb, or dive, to a desired altitude that you enter with the .autoalt [altitude] command. As with the previous controls, it will use the units you have set, i.e., meters in Metric, feet in English or Nautical. To function, the Vertical Autopilot Mode must be set to Select and the Master Autopilot must be engaged.

Example: To climb to 20,000 feet with the autopilot, assuming English units, enter:
.autoalt 20000
.autovert select
.auto 1

Automatic Heading

You can control the heading of the autopilot with .autohdg [degrees]. To operate, the Lateral Autopilot Mode must be set to Select and the Master Autopilot must be engaged.

Example: To fly on a heading of 180 with the autopilot, enter:
.autohdg 180
.autolat select
.auto 1

Bank Angle

You can limit the amount of banking that the autopilot will use in the Lateral Autopilot Select mode. This is important because too much bank may cause your aircraft to lose control and the autopilot may not be able to correct it. To little bank and any turns the autopilot makes to reach desired headings may have a very large turning radius. To set the bank limit, enter .autobank [degrees].

Yaw Dampener

You can dampen yaw movement by using the command .yawdamp [0/1]. When the Lateral Autopilot modes of Hold or Select are enabled, the yaw dampener is also automatically engaged, but this does not interfere with your setting. You can use the yaw dampener independently of the autopilot.

Lateral Autopilot Modes

The lateral modes control the heading, bank angle and yaw dampening parameters.

  • None: Heading and Bank Settings ignored.
  • Hold: Heading and Bank Settings are ignored. Yaw Dampener is engaged.
  • Select: Heading and Bank settings will be used. Yaw Dampener will be engaged.

Vertical Autopilot Modes

The vertical modes control the vertical speed and altitude settings of the autopilot.

  • None: VSI and Altitude Settings Ignored
  • VSI: VSI Setting is used.
  • Hold: Current VSI is used.
  • Select: VSI and Altitude settings are used.

Combining Autopilot Commands

You can combine the various autopilot settings. The autopilot does not prioritize one setting over another, it will attempt to satisfy all of them.

Example: To climb to 20,000 feet on a heading of 180 at a climb rate of 500 feet/minute:
.autoalt 20000
.autohdg 180
.autovsi 500
.autolat select
.autovert select
.auto 1

Autopilot Command List

Autopilot Function
Command
To Set Autopilot Indicated Air Speed .autoias [mph, kph, or knots]
To Set Autopilot Vertical Speed (Climb Rate) .autovsi [meters/second or feet/minute]
To Set Desired Altitude for Autopilot .autoalt meters or feet]
To Set Desired Heading for Autopilot .autohdg [degrees]
To Set Maximum Bank Angle .autobank [degrees]
To Enable/Disable Automatic Throttle .autothrot [1/0]
To Enable/Disable Yaw Dampener .yawdamp [1/0]
To Display Current Autopilot Settings .showauto
To Select Lateral Autopilot Mode .autolat [none, hold or select]
To Select Vertical Autopilot Mode .autovert [none, vsi, hold, or select]
To Engage or Disengage Master Autopilot Control .auto [1/0]

Server Autopilot Settings

The server's config.txt file controls what autopilot modes are available. If Allow Full Autopilot is On, then all of the autopilot modes are available to all aircraft. If it is Off, then each aircraft can only enable the autopilot modes that are available to it, as reflected in the aircraft's .ACM file.