Garmin 530 Autopilot in Cessna 172SP will not hold altitude in either the VS or ALT mode.

Question

Been flying X-Plane 11 for several years and  this just started happening yesterday.  Tried again today with the same results.  Altitude will hold for a little while and then goes haywire - oscillates all over the place.  A pain in the backside when ILS approaching in foggy conditions. Did I make a mistake updating to 11.30???

Answer 1

Hi dickandanita

I'm not with Laminar Research, just a fellow simmer in the UK, but please note that from version 11.30, there have been a number of changes to autopilot systems within X-Plane 11 and particularly the introduction of the S-TEC 55 into the Cessna Skyhawk 172 (and other aircraft) that are fitted with the GNS430/530 navigation systems.

The new S-TEC 55 operates differently from the old autopilot version and like all improvements, it will take a bit of getting used to by simmers in general.

You may therefore wish to click on the following link and review what X-Plane developers have stated about preconfigured autopilots and other autopilot changes in 11.30:- https://developer.x-plane.com/article/preconfigured-autopilots-and-other-autopilot-changes-in-11-30/

There is also a YouTube video covering the new S-TEC 55 @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2muwV-DiAfg

Lastly, please have a look in your C:\X-Plane 11\Instructions folder as you will find a manual in there for the S-TEC 55 with useful guidance.

Regards