AT issues Sim-A, User error?

[FredK]

Sam -

in my case I have a problem keeping auto throttle settle in flight, I'm still looking for the answer because I know is something simple that I haven't found out yet, if WFT gets here and I'm still having the same problem, someone on this team will know how to fix it, No big deal!!

What avionics software are you using?

Fred

[Sam Llorca]

Hi Fred,  I'm using Sim-A avionics.
Sam.

[FredK]

Sam -

Sim-A here also.  What exactly is the A/T problem that you are experiencing?

Fred

[Bob Reed]

I think it is a page or setting we are missing during the programing of the FMC.

[FredK]

I think it is a page or setting we are missing during the programing of the FMC.

But what is the symptom of the problem?  What exactly is happening?

Fred

[Bob Reed]

I think it is a page or setting we are missing during the programing of the FMC.

But what is the symptom of the problem?  What exactly is happening?

Fred

It is almost like AT losses focus. The aircraft does not hold speed. Only way to fix it is diagnose the AT and control speed manually.

[Trevor Hale]

I wonder if it is a center of gravity thing. It's hard to say.

[Bob Reed]

I wonder if it is a center of gravity thing. It's hard to say.

Well we know the system works for several reasons so it is something we are doing (or more like missing) in the setup of the FMC... Amateurs.... Sheeeesssssshhhhh... 

[FredK]

 
Hmmmmm......Of late one thing I have sometimes observed with my setup is that the A/T "Speed" button on the MCP is out-of-sync with what is displayed on the PFD (that is "MCP Speed").  What I mean is that after arming the A/T and then pressing the "Speed" button on the MCP the button does not illuminate but "MCP Speed" does display on the PFD.  If I press the MCP Speed button again the button will illuminate but "MCP Speed" will show as disengaged on the PFD.  So I have come to trust only what is displayed on the PFD irrespective of how the speed button is illuminated on the MCP....sort of the reverse of how I used to fly....so it is easy to get fooled that way. Just something to look at.  That happened to me just this week practicing a VATSIM flight...I was so involved with the ATC communications that I lost speed awareness and nearly created an Asiana 777 style incident....I did recover though.  I am using Sim-A with a CPFlight Pro MCP.

I have found that rebooting the Sim-A MCP module will correct the condition.

The other thing to be absolutely sure about is to have matched FSUIPC I/O and airplane config files......obvious, everyone knows that, but such is often overlooked.

[Bob Reed]

The other thing to be absolutely sure about is to have matched FSUIPC I/O and airplane config files......obvious, everyone knows that, but such is often overlooked.

Hmmmmm this is something to look at.... I know I have never done this to Sam's sim......

[sagrada737]

Fred's comment has merit concerning the MCP and the A/T.  It seems that every set of hardware and software behaves differently.  Re-booting the MCP is worth considering.

When setting up for a flight, it seems critical to allow Sim-Avionics to stabilize as the various modules come on-line.  Concerning the MCP's A/T function, I do the following:   I ALWAYS engage A/T on the MCP, and then Disengage it, wait two seconds, then hit the Disengage button again to clear the A/T Indicator on the Panel.  It seems that this procedure helps to "sync" this function correctly with Sim-A.  By doing this, I don't have any issues with the A/T function anymore.  It may be worth trying on your system Sam.

Another thing you can try is to "Generate New Configuration Files", and re-load the Aircraft in Sim-Avionics, which should be the "Sim-Avionics 737-800", then "Save the Aircraft".  This is a benign procedure endorsed by FDS, and it may help to stabilize the Sim-Avionics setup.  Worth trying...

Mike

Mike

[sagrada737]

Another thing that you can try Sam, is to run a "cleaner program" on your computer.  I use CCLeaner (freeware, but proven).  Then, run a anti-vires/malware program.  It's amazing how much crap accumulates on these PCs.  I do this prior to each and every Sim flight, and things seem to run better as a result.

As you may notice...   FSX and Sim-Avionics in concert, tend to need hard-boots after a few flights.  The most I have EVER gotten out of my setup is about eight flights before things started to get flaky.   I think this is due mainly to FSX.   

The new version updates to Sim-Avionics seem to be fairly stable on my system.  It could be a good idea to check in with FDS and install the latest software update to Sim-Avionics.  Just a thought.

Also, the more scenery and add-ons I have running, the less reliable things are.   In this regard, it may be better to limit some of these add-ons for WF.  I guess this is why you plan to do this after each and every Route.  This probably holds true for other Sim Servers/Flight Models.  The point is... sometimes the only way to resolve these Sim issues is to do a complete shut-down and re-boot.

Mike

[sagrada737]

On another note...   I have now flown all my scheduled Routes for WF.  Wow!  This is going to be a lot fun guys!

One thing I notice though...  Is that at some of these smaller airports, how are they going to fit all these aircraft on the Ramp/Gates.  For example, NFTF, which is Tonga (Fua Amotu) on the schedule, has parking for only a few aircraft, with barely enough room to turn the aircraft around.  I can't imagine how 10 aircraft or so are going to fit on the Ramp.  Do they all show up on VATSIM?  And what about the bystanders flying along on VATSIM following WF?  Will they show up as well?

I don't have enough experience with VATSIM to know if this is a problem or not, so comments would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Mike

[KyleH]

Hey guys, not that this stuff isn't important, but could we clean up this thread so its back of the original topic of Procedures for Worldflight. I think its important that this of all threads stay on topic.

If the throttle issue is something that we need to know about to deal with it then that's fine but the troubleshooting should be done in another thread.
I'd move posts myself but I'm not familiar with this forum software (or if we have access to do it)

[Bob Reed]

Hey guys, not that this stuff isn't important, but could we clean up this thread so its back of the original topic of Procedures for Worldflight. I think its important that this of all threads stay on topic.

If the throttle issue is something that we need to know about to deal with it then that's fine but the troubleshooting should be done in another thread.
I'd move posts myself but I'm not familiar with this forum software (or if we have access to do it)

The problem is nothing to worry about. If it does not work, turn it off and run the throttle by hand and I put this in it's own thread.

[FredK]

Sam/Bob  -

Have you touched based with Steve at FDS on this?   There is going to be a lot of traffic and a lot to deal with with regarding arrival and departure.  Hopefully we can get it working as best as possible.

Steve....If you are reading this any comment?

Fred

[Bob Reed]

Let me re state my opinion on this!!!! It is USER error! I think we are not programing something incorrectly. We may even be missing a page. Please do not jump to conclusions and report we are saying there is something wrong with the software!!! We are not making that statement........

[FredK]

Perhaps the attached guide will be helpful for all regarding programming the CDU (courtesy of Steve at FDS).

[KyleH]

Is it a motorized throttle quadrant?