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WithMicrosoft Flight Simulator 2024using real-world time for flights, you might find yourself on a long-haul journey that takes hours to complete. That’s when autopilot becomes a key player. However,MSFS 2024doesn’t offer a one-click solution to let the AI take over. Instead, it requires you to manually set up all the fundamentals and adjust every detail, just like in a real flight, for the autopilot to engage. If this is where you’re getting stuck, use the following guide to simplify the basics and make your next carrier or ultra-long-haul flight smoother and easier.
How to Turn On Autopilot
MostMSFS 2024airplanes feature an Autopilot (AP) button near the primary flight display. Activating autopilot is as simple as pressing this button. Next, set your desired altitude using the ALT wheel, typically positioned close to the AP button. You can adjust the altitude through two methods: VS or FLC. Once the altitude is set, choose either NAV or HDG mode to complete the autopilot setup. NAV mode uses GPS to follow the flight plan, while HDG mode, controlled by the HDG wheel, followsyour manual heading inputsto guide the plane in the specified direction.
Autopilot Basics
While autopilot settings and buttons may vary between planes, the basics remain the same. To fly any aircraft on autopilot, it’s essential to understand the fundamentals: Heading, Navigation, and Altitude.
HDG Mode
Heading (HDG) is an autopilot mode that keeps the airplane flying in the direction you’ve set. You can adjust the heading at any time by rotating the HDG wheel on your display without needing to touch the yoke. This mode is useful when you don’t have a flight plan or want to maintain control over the aircraft’s direction while AP is in charge of other settings.
NAV Mode
Navigation (NAV) is an autopilot mode that keeps the airplane on its predetermined flight plan. It follows the GPS route and automatically adjusts the aircraft’s course to stay on track. If you don’t have a flight plan, you may press the “Nearest” button on the primary display and select one of the nearby airports to get yourself a new GPS route.
Altitude Management
Altitude (ALT) sets the plane’s elevation level. In autopilot mode, you adjust ALT using the designated wheel. However, the autopilot won’t change the plane’s altitude unless you also set a speed, which can be done with either Vertical Speed (VS) or Flight Level Change (FLC) mode.
you may find youraircraft’s optimal ascent airspeedby going to the Tmr/Ref menu on your primary display. It is listed under the “Vy” section. For example, if Vy is 70kt, you need to set FLC to 70kt for the best results.
Possible Fixes for Autopilot Not Working
If you’re unable to activate autopilot, it may be due to one of the following reasons:
