Simple Autopilot Gauge  version 1.0
Jon Masterson July 2, 2005


Introduction:
This gauge is really designed for small GA aircraft or other aircraft without a regular AP, or where the pilot generally flies without an AP.  Sometimes you may need a 'co-pilot' to take the controls for a few moments while checking navigation, handling comms ( or maybe the need to visit the bathroom!).  Its purporse is therefore to take over the aircraft and keep it straight and level until you want control back.

Function:
This guage is a single button which when active provides simple hold of altitude and heading.  Thus when 'on' the plane should fly on it's current heading and current altitude until turned off again.  If the plane has a heading bug and altitude AP set capability then the heading bug is set to current heading and altitude set to current altitude.  Once active heading can be changed using the heading bug if available and altitude using altitude set if available.


Requirements:
To work the plane must have an enabled AP in the aircraft.cfg file.  It does not need a regular AP in the panel.  It does however require that the flight director function also be enabled (don't ask me why!).  So you will need to check the aircraft config and make sure there is an AP section and if so that the entries for Autopilot and Flight Director look like this:

[autopilot]
autopilot_available=1
flight_director_available=1

If you cannot find any AP section in the cfg file then copy one in from one of the default aircraft such as the Cessna 172.  


Installation:
Place the Simple_AP.cab file in your gauges directory and add it to the aircraft panel either using something like FS Panel Studio or by editing the panel.cfg file.  There are a number of internet resources on how to manually modify panel.cfg.

Known Issues:
Gauge will not work properly unless the AP and Flight Director are available (see above)

If you have a regular AP in the aircraft make sure it is disengaged BEFORE using this gauge.  If you AP is engaged then Simple AP will just disengage it and the holds will not happen.  If unsure make certain that both Simple AP and the regular AP are disengaged and then engage Simple AP.

Acknowldgements:
This is my first attempt at programming a gauge.  Nick Pike of www.FS2x.com provided the basic code without which I could not have created the gauge.  www.FS2x.com provides some great tutorials on xml gauge design as well.

Disclaimer:
This gauge is provided as is - I cannot be held responsible for how it performs on your system or aircraft.


Copyright 2005;
Parts of the gauge are copyright Nick Pike and the remainder is copyright Jon Masterson


Contact:
Comments and suggestions welcome to jon@scruffyduck.co.uk