Our new update brings a lot of new features, improvements and bug fixes. We would like to highlight the new Autopilot 2.0. Continue reading to find out more details.
Up to now, we have mostly used the build-in MSFS autopilot. This is not necessarily bad, but it often reaches its limits. That's why we started extending it many months ago, bending it and adding workarounds to improve its behavior. But the more often you add cumbersome workarounds, the more difficult it becomes to maintain and at some point you reach the point where you have to throw everything in the corner and start all over again.
This is what we have now done. The result is an autopilot that can do much more under the hood and corrects many essential things. Here is an example:
MSFS build-in pitch control gives us the option of using either the elevator or its trim for control, but not both at the same time.
We have tried both variants. With the trim it is difficult to make fine adjustments, which are necessary when flying a glideslope. By using the elevator, on the other hand, we can't achieve the target values with a large pitch angle in FLCH mode, so the trim has to provide support.
So the solution is to leave the elevator control in the MSFS autopilot and program a custom trim system that can neutralize or support the elevator movements wherever necessary.
Other improvements requested by our users have also been implemented in this release. For example, the wheel covers on the main landing gear can now be switched on and off via the tablet for each operator (livery) and our standard liveries have been configured accordingly.
We have also added a Quick Load feature to the Departure Page in the EFB. This allows you to easily control loading and fuel via a slider if you need to move quickly.
By the way, there is also a small new feature in the current FMS that you will definitely like. We have found a way to activate the DIRECT-TO function for STARs too. Although you still can't insert waypoints into a predefined approach route, you can now override existing waypoints with a direct to.
The FMS Speed Mode is planned for the next update. This is an automatic selection of the airspeed depending on the flight phase and aircraft configuration. Although we can only introduce speed constraints with the custom FMS, all other speed logics, especially during approach and departure, will be available in version 0.9.27.