Flight Simulator 2024: How to Activate Autopilot

How to Activate Autopilot in Flight Simulator 2024

By Lidia Rozo | 2024-12-01 19:10:30
Our guide today aims to explain to you How to Activate Autopilot in Flight Simulator 2024.

A long-haul trip might take hours in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 as flights are real-time in the game. That's where autopilot really comes handy. In MSFS 2024, one can't just shift the command to AI directly. Setting up the basics to activate an autopilot requires getting your hand on each setting, adjusting every parameter manually to be up and running, which is practically similar to those in the real flight scenario. If you cannot manage to do this, this article will get you through the basics and will let you have a more comfortable experience on your next long-haul or carrier flight.

How to Activate Autopilot in Flight Simulator 2024?



  • Get started.
  • Get your speed and altitude settled.
  • Locate the AP button- usually on or near the main flight display-and click it.
  • Using the ALT wheel, set your desired altitude.
  • Select either VS or FLC according to the type of climb you prefer.
  • In case you will like your plane to stick onto the flight plan, switch on the NAV button
  • Switch the HDG button in order to steer your plane towards some direction

An AP button can be available in almost all MSFS 2024 airplanes' near to the main display. Only a tap onto this button can enable Autopilot. The next thing to do is to set the altitude to your liking, done by a turn of the ALT wheel, usually located beside the AP button. You can change the altitude in two ways: VS and FLC. Finally, select NAV or HDG mode to complete the setup of the autopilot once you have set the altitude. While in NAV mode, the plane uses GPS to follow the flight plan. In HDG mode, you can manually input headings and the plane will follow them. You control this with the HDG wheel.


Introductory Autopilot



A plane's autopilot may have somewhat different controls and settings than another, but the fundamentals are the same. Heading, Navigation and Altitude are the pillars upon which the operation of any aircraft's autopilot system rests.


One type of auto-pilot is called HDG Mode Heading (HDG) and it will allow you to direct the aircraft to fly in a certain direction. Anytime you would like to change the heading, you simply rotate the HDG wheel on your screen without having to touch the yoke. This mode is used when one doesn't have a flight plan or just wants to keep his hand on the wheel while AP handles everything else.


Autopilot modes like NAV Mode Navigation (NAV) keeps aircraft on course with respect to their flight plan. The system will keep the aircraft on course through automatic adjustments as it tracks the GPS route. To get a fresh GPS route if you happen not to have a flight plan, you will have to press the "Nearest" button on the main screen and then select any of the airports that will come close by.


The Altitude Management System-ALT regulates the altitude of the plane. ALT can be adjusted when flying in autopilot mode with the use of a given wheel. For the autopilot to change the plane's altitude, you need to set the speed that would also be set under the modes FLC or Vertical Speed.


  • To change the aircraft's altitude, the nose is raised or lowered in VS. In order to adjust the altitude after VS was used, press and hold the Nose Up or Nose Down button.
  • Like VS, FLC allows you to change your altitude with the nose up and nose down keys. Setting a desired airspeed (in knots) will allow the autopilot to manage the altitude change, as it depends on throttle speed to do so.
  • Go to the Tmr/Ref option on your main display. Your aircraft's best climb airspeed is there. It's in the "Vy" area. If Vy is 70kt for example, for best results set FLC to 70kt.


Fixing Options for an Inoperative Autopilot



Here are some possible reasons why you can't turn on autopilot:


  • And check the CDI is set to GPS if the aircraft isn't following the flight plan. If it is not, then repeatedly click the CDI button until the color of the bars, turn to magenta for setting the primary flight display from green to GPS.
  • You turned on OBS. Autopilot will not work if the OBS is turned on. Check that OBS is OFF.
  • Mistake in setting throttle: CL level throttle setting is needed for some aircraft, such as Airbuses. Autopilot won't turn on unless it is.

In this sense, knowing How to Activate Autopilot in Flight Simulator 2024 allows you to have a better command of this game, try it.



Platform(s): PC, Classic Mac OS, PC-98, Windows, Xbox One
Genre(s): Amateur flight simulation
Developer(s): Microsoft
Publisher(s): Microsoft, Xbox Game Studios
Release date: August 18, 2020
Mode:
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