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EAC - Autopilot system explained

Aus Eagle Dynamics Wiki
The Autopilot system in DCS: A-10C Warthog is actually a system to stabilize your planes flight attitude
and limited correction for crosswinds. The correct term is EAC - "Enhanced Attitude Control", which is
basically, what the autopilot button does. The Autopilot is NOT designed to magically fly your plane around
a course of set waypoints, like in many games or less sophisticated sims. It needs certain prerequisites to
actually be engaged and depends on other systems to work. If you don't do a correct ramp start and
alignment you are usually not able to use the EAC! Keep in mind that every system damage during combat
may afflict systems needed for the EAC to work, subsequently.
For details refer to the DCS: A-10C Warthog Flight Manual, "Cockpit Controls", "Left Console", "LASTE
Panel" section, currently at page 134.

Engaging EAC, the Autopilot goes live

To enable the autopilot functions, you need to activate EAC, with the EAC switch behind the left Throttle,
which in turn requires SAS, RDR ALT, IFFCC and EGI activated and GPS alignment to be succesful! The
thing with the A-10C is, you actually need to know, what the systems are doing and what their dependencies
are. Sounds like a lot of work, but it isn't.
Just a brief overview:
EAC (Enhanced Attitude Control) in other words the autopilot, that may stabilize your flight in three
different modes
SAS (Stability Augmentation Systems) the little "Trim" tabs that are situated on the ailerons and
elevators. EAC automatically trims the plane to hold a course or attitude as much as the trim tabs
permit
RDR ALT (Radar Altimeter) ground radar to know when the plane is too low! Altitude warning,
especially when heads down on autopilot!
IFFCC (Integrated Flight and Fire Control Computer) well, the flight computer part is what we need
here.
EGI (Embedded GPS INS) the GPS and Terrain Database allowing the EAC to correct drift and hold
a course... that in turn needs the GPS to be aligned and "know" where the plane is. GPS alignment
should usually be done on the ground before take off, but it can be done inflight, as well.
Unfortunately inflight alignment takes some 11 minutes of level straight flight with smooth
movements. Let's put it like this: You don't want to do it in the middle of a "Hot Zone".
The actual switches and buttons are:
EAC Arm to activate the functionality is below the left throttle, left of the RDR ALT switch... this is
the last switch to actually engage the EAC, check that all dependencies are met, or it won't work. SAS
engaged? IFFCC on? EGI on? GPS is aligned (Nav Ready)? RDR ALT on?...

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the mode select switch behind the right throttle (PATH,ALT/HDG, ALT)
the Autopilot Engage/Disengage Button left of the mode switch
the left throttle button on the (guess what) left throttle... the red one! Doubles as engage/disengage if
you can't take your hands of the HOTAS.
Standard Keys to look up for binding the EAC/Autopilot system:
LAAP Altitude Bank Hold = "4"
LAAP Altitude Heading Hold = "3"
LAAP Path Hold = "2"
LAAP Engage / Disengage = "A"

The different modes, what the heck is "ALT/HDG, PATH, ALT"?

Autopilot (EAC) has three different modes of which you need to select one ("2", "3", "4"), before activating
the autopilot("a"). Each mode does different stabilizations and has its use. Each mode can only engaged
under certain flight conditions (angle-of-attack, bank-angle).
ALT/HDG (Altitude and Heading hold, "3") - fly level and hold altitude, this mode corrects for
crosswind. Use it when you have reached your flight altitude and want to steer to a certain waypoint.
This mode is the closest to an "autopilot" in other games. Requires AoA between +/-5, Bank Angle
less than 10
PATH (Flight Path hold, "2") - keeps the current angle of attack and fly to where the nose points, no
corrections for wind. This is useful for climbing or descending. Careful, if you climb too steep, you
will loose speed and finally stall! The EAC can't work the throttle! Requires Bank Angle less than
10, careful with AoA of more than +10 you will lose speed quickly!
ALT (Altitude Bank hold, "4") - bank and hold altitude to circle the plane when you need to do
"stuff". Most useful, when searching for targets with the TGP or working with the JTAC. He asks you
to "Copy when ready for 9-line" for a reason. Look around and check for hills or mountains that may
block your circular flightpath. Bank the plane gently into a turn and activate the autopilot. Requires
AoA between +/-5, bank angle can be steep, but it is more difficult for the EAC to stabilize a steeper
bank angle...
Sometimes the EAC has difficulty to stabilize the plane. Even if you have activated the "autopilot" in
HDG/ALT mode and let go on the stick the resulting nose down or up may "break" the ability of the EAC to
stabilize your plane.
You'll get used to it, very quick. Hold the course, activate "autopilot", slowly center the stick, eventually
re-trim to support the EAC. When you hear "Autopilot" from Betty it actually means "Autopilot was
disengaged". The bell/chime sound indicates autopilot was engaged and you can check the mode on the
HUD, left side below the * Indicator for HUD as SOI.

Gallery

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Auto pilot in ALT HLD mode. 57

degree bank

Auto pilot in ALT/HDG mode.

Auto pilot in PATH HLD mode. 10

degree pitch

Auto pilot controls are located on the

LASTE panel, outlined in green.

Von http://en.wiki.eagle.ru/w/index.php?title=EAC_-_Autopilot_system_explained&oldid=3159
Kategorie: DCS: A-10C
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