Hello gang,
In the Aircraft discussion group, somebody asked about the "Auto Pilot", and I wrote this explanation. I will be adding this to my upcoming website "Lephturn's Aerodrome" in addition to as much other AH training info as I can. In the mean time, I thought I should post it over here, as it may help some of those who are new to Aces High.
Well, there is not really an "auto pilot" in AH at all. What we really have are 3 kinds of "auto trim" that will hold the plane to various conditions. All three "modes" will keep the wings level and you going straight, setting roll and yaw trim to accomplish this. Also, all three modes have minimum speeds, below which the Auto Pilot will dis-engage. I believe that speed is 150 Mph at the moment
The first mode is Auto Level(X), which obviously keeps the plane flying straight and level. Better than that, it does this by adjusting trim on the aircraft. The reason I mention it is that you allways want your aircraft to be "in trim" for your fighting speed, to make control easier and keep your aircraft as efficient as possible. One way to do this is to set Auto Level, let the plane get to your planned likely fighting speed, and then dis-engage. The effect is to put your plane in trim for that speed, at that altitude and power setting.
The second type is Auto Speed(ALT+X), which will keep the wings level and keep the aircraft at a constant speed. So if you want to climb to altitude, you can set a low speed like 160 (.speed 160) and engage Auto Speed and the plane will trim the aircraft to stay at 160 Mph. These fighters have enough power to go faster than that, so the plane will keep on climbing to maintain that speed. Auto Speed is the mode to use after you take off and want to get to 10 or 15k before you go looking for trouble. You can set Auto Speed and go get a beer. <G> This same mode can also be used to efficiently reach a high speed for a diving escape. Be careful though, as Auto Speed will gladly fly you into the ground if you use too high a speed. You can also use Auto Speed to set your trim tabs for a desired speed you plan to fight at, and in fact this is the best method in my opinion.
The third type is Auto Angle (SHIFT+X), where the plane will use the trim to attempt to keep the plane at the same pitch angle as the plane is pointing when you engaged it. This is the wrong mode to use for climbing, as if you use too low an angle, you will have a low climb rate, and if you set too high an angle, you may slow down until the Auto disengages. Auto Speed will do a climb out best, because you can tell it to hold the AC at your best climb speed and adjust pitch angle to suit. Auto Angle I only use for diving. The main problem with diving for a BnZ pass for example, is that your speed will increase greatly. The more your speed changes, the more "out of trim" your aircraft becomes. This makes it harder to control and makes your aircraft less efficient. Because Auto Angle will adjust your trim automatically as your speed changes maintain the angle you set, it overcomes this problem and keeps the aircraft perfectly in trim throughout the dive. A great way to execute a BnZ pass is to line up the enemy, nose over into the proper angle dive, and engage Auto Angle. As you approach your desired altitude, disengage Auto Angle and your plane is now perfectly trimmed for your gun pass, which will make gunnery much easier. Once you make your pass, pull up into a nice climb angle or steep zoom angle, engage Auto Angle again for a nice efficient climb back to altitude. Auto Angle is also a very good way to make a diving escape. If you need to accellerate much, you should use a 0G dive first, but once diving and up to a high speed, engage Auto Angle. This will trim your aircraft in the dive as speed increases and keep your aircraft as eficient as possible. When you are either fast enough or the ground is getting close, dis-engage and continue your extension. Be careful here, as Auto Angle will happily fly you into Terra Firma if you are not paying attention.
Remember, Auto Trim is far more valuable than just something to let you get a beer while your AC get to altitude. (Though it is GREAT for that. <G> ) If you use the Auto Trim features intelligently, they can help you keep your aircraft in trim and as efficient as possible. An aircraft trimmed well is far easier to fly, and most importantly shoot from, than one far out of trim. Mastering these great features will help you kick stabilizer and take names in Aces High.
Oink!
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Lephturn
The Flying Pigs
