ATC question

[markturner1960]

Hi, is it possible to advance or retard the setting incrementally once engaged? Without exiting ATC mode?

[Greyman]

It looks like you can change the target speed, by moving the throttle levers, whilst the ATC text, on the HUD, is flashing, but you then need to press the ATC button to re-engage the auto-throttle

[Creepy]

Flashing “ATC” is just the disconnect notification (whether that was due to clicking out with the ATC button or by overriding with enough force on the throttles), it is only operating when “ATC” is solid in the HUD.

[kengou]

In the sim the answer is no. In real life I don’t think it’s possible but could be wrong.

[Greyman]

So, move the throttles to achieve the new speed that you want and press the ATC button again.

[markturner1960]

OK, thanks, that's a shame......struggling somewhat during refueling attempts due to the small physical range of input in that area of the throttle and the delayed spool up time and thought this may be a way to help....guess I must keep practicing

[Razor18]

In your signature, you do have a Warthog (throttle), right? What do you mean by "small physical range of input in that area of the throttle"?

[markturner1960]

Hi Razor, I meant that seemingly very small physical movements on the grip seems to generate quite high changes in RPM...trying to only move the throttle that 1 or 2mm needed to advance RPM enough to increase speed by 1 or 2 kts, is very tricky. The larger the physical range of movement for a given increase in RPM, the easier and more accurate your inputs would be I reason......

 

Last night, I decided to try removing the physical detent for AB, and instead set it right at the end of the range, effectively giving myself another couple of centimetres of travel, which would I hope, with some careful tweaking of the curves, allow a more direct response to physical movement.

 

have not tried this out yet, but hope to tonight.....

[Razor18]

I see. Well, it is tricky, the key is not to loose patience and practice a lot. If you want to cheat a little, you can add a positive curve (first steep then more shallow)to your throttle axis, resulting in practically assigning the first 20% of the physical throttle movement to around 40% or more of the in game throttle, wich leaves the majority of the remaining 80% Warthog throttle movement to cover the remaining 60% (or even less) RPM range. It's like giving more resolution for the useful RPM range. If not clear enough, shout.

[Greyman]

Also, have you tried "walking the throttles"?

 

If you move just one lever at a time, you can get effectively half of the increase/decrease in thrust that you would get by moving them both together, which provides for far more control, particularly when aerial refuelling/flying in formation.

 

Oh, and i wouldn't use ATC when aerial refueling. The main reason being that you will need to be "tweaking" the thrust constantly, to stay in formation with the tanker.

Edited May 18, 2020 by Greyman

[=Mac=]

I have the TMWH and an absolute straight curve. I have the idle/off detent but no AB detent so I keep an eye on the EFEI to know when I light a burner. I have no problem matching speed of a buddy or a tanker. Carrier approaches (on speed), I don't even think about it. I adjust the throttles without thinking about them.

 

The trick with AAR is getting on altitude first, getting left/right lined up on the sweet spot for the drogue (keeping out of the jetwash if it's turned on), and then slowly driving in to the basket. Don't chase it. You should come in about 1 to 2 knots closure on it. Yes, it will drift but keep your position as you drive in. If you miss, back off a tiny bit and then try again (power up will drive your nose up so keep your throttles smooth and walk one or the other just a bit back or forth as needed.) Never fight for the basket. Drive in slowly, drop back slowly. ("Wipe on, wipe off"!)

 

Edit: Yeah, I just read Greyman's post. Never use the autothrottle nor your autopilot. Trim only. Then slow, steady move in.

Edited May 18, 2020 by =Mac=