Installing the Auto Pilot Panel 
(Model #2020) 

 

   

 Best Viewed at 1024 by 768 Resolution


Desktop Aviator
HOME
 

Click HERE for
a LOOK at
Our $$$ SAVING eBay Auctions.
I Accept Credit
Cards Through:

PAYPAL





 

 
 
Thank you for your purchase of our Model 2020 Auto Pilot. The Switch Assignments are involved but can be easily accomplished with the help of the following information.
 
 
If you have any comments or need additional information on the use of the Radio Panel,
please write me at:
 
 
INSTALLATION
 
Installing the Auto Pilot requires very little time. All you need is an unused USB Port. Additional Ports can be added to your computer by using a device called a USB Hub. These Hubs can be purchased for as little as $20.00 in the Internet.
 
Just plus the USB Cable from the back of the Auto Pilot into the Hub Adapter and let your computer locate and load the required software for its proper operation. The Auto Pilot will be sensed as "USB Joystick". That's all there is to the installation.
 
Programming the Buttons and Switches
 
As mentioned earlier, the 2020 does require the licensed version of FSUIPC. This small .dll program resided inside the Module File of your FS2002,  FS2004 or FS X Flight Simulator. FSUIPC come is two versions. The FSUIPC 3.75 used for FS98, FS2000, FS2002 and FS2004. While Version FSUIPC4 is used strictly for the New FS X Flight Simulator.
 
Either one of these programs can be Downloaded Free of charge from:
 
 
The Code Key for either program can be purchased from simMarket (A link to simMarket is also provided at the FSUIPC site). The code Key costs about $24.00.
 
When you download the required FSUIPC program; copy the .dll program to Flight Simulator's "Module"  File. That's it. Now it's time to load and run your Flight Simulator Program. When running, click on "Create a Flight". When you have a your Cessna 172 on the Runway, press the "ALT" key. On the TOP of the screen a thin white band of extra options will appear. Click on "Modules"; then "FSUIPC".
 
 
Using FSUIPC for the first time, you are asked to input your Name, Email Address and the Code Key you just purchased. When entered correctly, FSUIPC is ready to be programmed for use with your NAV/COM Radio (Note: After inputting your Code Key, you need to Restart Flight Simulator so that the Code Key can take effect.
 
 
 
 
 
After reloading your Flight Simulator program; it's time to Program your NAV/COM Radio.
 
 
 
Programming the Auto Pilot Switches
 
With your copy of FSUIPC Registered; now is the time to program the Auto Pilot. Again, with FS running, hit the "ALT" Key. With the White Band appreaing in the top of the monitor; click "Modules" then "FSUIPC". With the main FSUIPC window showing, locate and click on "Buttons + Switches".
You will get the window appearing above.

There are three main sections of this window that require our attention. They are indicated by the letters "A", "B" and "C". Section "A" shows the Button or Switch that you press and it's USB Port Location. By pressing other buttons on the Radio Panel, these settings will change accordingly. "B" needs to be click. The "Check" Mark needs to remain with ALL Programming. This Check Mark allows you to choose your button assignments from the FSUIPC listing. "C" shows all the assignments available that your Radio Panel can be programmed to.

Now using the TABLE below, we will program each Auto Pilot Rotary Switch and Push Button to the needed functions. 

Below is a photo of the front panel of the Auto Pilot. Each Push Button & Rotary Switch is shown by a number. This number (in conjunction with the information in the Settings Table) will show you the which button would need to be "Pushed" or "Turned"

 
 
Auto Pilot Button Assignments for use with FSUIPC

* Rotary Switch  (SW #1) Rotate Clockwise Ap Vs Var Inc or
Ap Vs Var Inc Fast
* Rotary Switch  (SW #1) Rotate Counter-Clockwise Ap Vs Var Dec or
Ap Vs Var Dec Fast
* Rotary Switch  (SW #2) Rotate Clockwise

Ap Alt Var Inc   or
Ap Alt Var Inc Fast

* Rotary Switch  (SW #2) Rotate Counter-Clockwise

Ap Alt Var Dec or
Ap Alt Var Dec Fast

Button #3 Auto Pilot Press Button #3 Ap Master
Button #4 Heading Hold Press Button #4 Ap Hdg Hold or
AP Panel Heading On
Button #5 Navigate Hold Press Button #5 Ap Nav1 Hold
Button #6 Approach Press Button #6 Ap Apr Hold
Button #7 Reverse Press Button #7 Ap Bc Hold
* Button #8 Altitute Hold Press Button #8 Ap Alt Hold or
Ap Panel Altitude On

 

 

 

 
* Note: Rotary Switch #1 settings.                                                                
 
For increments of 100 feet per click, use "Ap Alt Var Inc"
For increments of 1000 feet use "Ap Alt Var Inc Fast"
For Deincrements of 100 feet. use "Ap Alt Var Dec"
For Deincrements of 1000 feet, use "Ap Alt Var Dec Fast"
 
======================================================== 
* Note: Rotary Switch #2 Settings.                                                               
 
For increments of 100 feet per click, use "Ap Vs Var Inc"
For increments of 1000 feet use "Ap Vs Var Inc Fast"
For Deincrements of 100 feet. use "Ap Vs Var Dec"
For Deincrements of 1000 feet, use "Ap Vs Var Dec Fast"
 
======================================================== 
* Note: Push Button #8 "ALT" Settings.  Added  09/21/2007                              
                        
By programming the "ALT" Button with "Ap Panel Altitude On"; 
your Autopilot will operate just as if you mouse clicked on the ALT
Button on the Autopilot located on the MS Radio Stack Display.
This setting will allow your Aircraft to fly to the Selected Altitude (SW #2) via the
Autopilot at a Vs of your choosing (SW #1 - Ex. 700ft per minute); then level
off at this altitude and maintain level flight.

======================================================== 
* Note: Push Button #4 "HDG" Settings.  Added  10/20/2007                              
                        
By programming the "HDG" Button with "Ap Panel Heading On"; 
your Autopilot will operate just as if you mouse clicked on the HDG
Button on the Autopilot located on the MS Radio Stack Display.
This setting will allow your Aircraft to make easy turns either left or right;
then level off at this heading and maintain level flight.
This setting will also prevent the "snap" action of the Heading "BUG" to the top
of the Guage.


I'll take you through the first two programming procedures so you can familiarize yourself with the operation.
 
The Table above shows that Button #1 is the "Vertical Speed" Rotary Switch on the Panel. The center column shows that Switch #1 is to be "Pressed". The third column shows the function we will program the switch with using FSUIPC.
 
So with your Auto Pilot Plugged into the USB Port and FS running and showing the FSUIPC window, turn Switch #1 "Clockwise". Notice "A" on the "FSUIPC Options and Settings" Window, it will indicate a USB Port Value and Switch Location. Now make sure that at "B", you have checked "Select for FS Control". Now click on "Control Sent when Button is Pressed" ("C"). Using your mouse, run down the list and find "Ap Vs Var Inc" and highlight this setting. That's it. (If you make a mistake; just click on "CLEAR".
 
Lets goto the next button.
 
Now we'll turn the #1 Rotary Switch "Counter Click-wise". Note at "A" there is a new Port Number and Switch displayed. "C" shows a blank window at this time. Again, using your mouse, click and find in the listing of FS Settings; "Ap Vs Var Dec".
 
Continue the programming process for the remaining switches.
 

 
Using your Auto Pilot
 
With all your switches programmed as shown above; press the "OK" icon. All settings will be saved inside your FS files. And the FSUIPC window will disappear.
 
With your version of Flight Simulator running, you must firat display the "Radio Stack" on the monitor. This can be done by clicking on the Radio Antenna Icon on the screen or if you purchased our NAV/COM Radio Panel, all you need to do is to press the "Display" Button.
 
Altitude Hold - With the Radio Stack displayed, lets say we wish to fly our airplane at an altitude of 2000 feet via the Auto Pilot. To do this, all we need to do it to rotate the Rotary Switch Clock-wise (Altitude Hold) until 2000 is seen on the monitor's Radio Stack. To activate the Auto Pilot, just press the "ALT" Button. Your aircraft will now fly at an altitude of 2000 feet. To de-activate the Auto Pilot, just press the "AP" button.
 
Vertical Speed - This button is used in conjunction with the "Altitude Hold". Vertical speed is the number of feet UP or Down you wish to travel to obtain the desired Altitude. Say you wish "Flight Level" altutude of 2000 feet AGL (Above Ground Level). Your present altitude is 1000 feet. You can use your Auto Pilot to ascend to 2000 feet by first turning the "Altitude Hold" Rotary Selector Switch (Switch #2) Clock-wise until 2000 is displayed on the Radio Stack. Then adjust the "Vertical Speed" Selector Switch Click-wise until it reads +500. Then press the "AP" Button. This setting tells the Auto Pilot to ascend to a final altitude of 2000 feet but at a rate of 500 feet per minute. Using simple math, you can determine that it will take 2 minutes for your aircraft to reach the altitude of 2000 feet.
When reached, the "Vertical Speed" indicator will read "000", thus allowing the plane to level-off at 2000 feet.
 
Conversly, if you wish to decend to 1000 feet from your flight level altitude of 2000 feet, you can turn the "Vertical Speed" Rotary Selector Switch (Switch #1) Counter Clock-wise until the Radio Stack readout indicates -500 Feet. When you activate the Auto Pilot, your plane will decend at a rate of 500 feet per minute until the desired altitude of 1000 is reached.
 
Note that Engine RPM is also a factor when ascending and decending even when using the Auto Pilot.
 
Heading Hold - To HOLD the Heading your aircraft is flying at the present time, just press the "HDG" Button on the Autopilot. If you wish to change your heading while the Autopilot is activated, just turn the Compass Gauge's "HDG" Setting Knob until the "Heading BUG" indicates the new heading. While adjusting the new Heading, the Autopilot will start "banking" to this new direction. When the "Heading BUG" is centered at the top of your Compass Gauge, the Auto Pilot will bring "wings-level" flight back to your aircraft at the selected Heading. If you re-adjust the "Heading Bug" to a new heading while the Auto Pilot in engaged, your airplane will again bank to the desired heading. To disengage the "Heading Hold", you can press the "HDG" Button again or press the "AP" Button.
 
This is just a small sample of what your Auto Pilot can do. For more information on using the Auto Pilot features for your version of your Flight Simulator, you can goto the "Instructional" Page of the Flight Sim Program.
 
 
Please note that FSUIPC places a 1/4 second delay between pressing a button and seeing results on your Monitor. So rotating SW #1 and SW #2 F A S T will have NO Effect on the digital display. Slow rotation of the Rotary Switch is more desirable then speeding through the dial. Besides, racing through the settings will shorten the life of the rotary switches.A
Purchasing Information can be found HERE;
 

 



hit counters