User Guide

Flight Simulator
20002000
20002000
2000
72
Microsoft
A Demonstration by the Autopilot
For any given power setting, the airplane requires a specific angle of attack to maintain altitude
(assuming all other variables remain the same: air density, weight, etc.). Let’s assume that we’re
preparing the airplane for landing.
1. Return to the simulation and press P to resume straight-and-level-flight. The first thing we need
to do is slow down to 80 knots while remaining in level flight. Let’s see how the autopilot
handles the controls during this process.
2. Reduce power to 14 inches of MP. (Remember,
the autopilot is still active.)
Notice how the pitch attitude increased to
approximately 8 degrees nose-up, as shown on the
attitude indicator in Figure 7. From the Spot Plane
View, you can see that the angle of attack has
increased. The autopilot raised the airplane’s nose just
enough to maintain altitude (or keep the VSI and
altimeter needles from moving) as the airplane
decelerated. The selected power (14 inches of MP)
was sufficient to keep the airplane in level flight at this
pitch attitude.
Okay, suppose we want to return to cruise speed. Let’s
watch the autopilot do it.
3. Apply 20 inches of MP.
As the speed increases, the autopilot decreases
the angle of attack by lowering the airplane’s
pitch attitude just enough to keep the altitude from increasing as the airplane accelerates to 110
knots.
4. When you reach 110 knots, reduce the MP to 17 inches.
5. Press P to pause the simulation.
Figure 7