Gliders usually do not have autopilots. But in flight simulation autopilots are very useful to bring additional safety to your flying (turbulence) and to enable stress-less and enjoyable rides in which you can concentrate on navigating and sightseeing.  


As a former hangglider pilot, the author of FSXPilot is dedicated to gliders and has now implemented routines for sailplanes, hanggliders and paragliders.

 

Not all FSXPilot functions are being used, of course, and some functions are reserved to PRO users only. 


Specific glider functions have been invented



Controlling glider speed


Method 


Enter a speed value into the speed reading field

Press the SPD button 


Result: 


FSXpilot will continuously monitor and adjust the speed of the glider by modifying the glider's pitch. 

Higher speed -> lower pitch and vice versa. 

Stall situations can be reliably prevented. 


Why is it not good to simply use the ALT button and the V/S button here ? 

When flying through a thermal, FSXPilot would adjust the climb rate (which is starting to rise) immediately into the defined one.

This would not result in a very efficient flight.  

So in gliders: Please stay away from the ALT button !



Navigating


Navigating is done as in the usual fixed wing plane. 

In gliders, the autopilot provides additional safety because you can always stabilize the plane if you loose vision when being drawn into a cloud in a strong thermal.

In addition, flying by autopilot allows you to have a deep look into the VFR map or enjoy the countryside without having to control the aircraft. 


The EFIS shows all GPS and NAV targets. 


Usually, you would either define a heading and press the HDG button or select a NAV target and press the NAV button. 


Selecting the stabilizer function ("fly current heading, speed ...") will only press the HDG and the SPD button in sailplanes. 


PRO users: Flying out of a thermal, simply press the STRG key plus the HDG button to set the current heading into the heading reading field in one comfortable step. 


Circling


In FSXPilot you have the option to select flat or steep circling from the quickselect menu. You can select left or right circling. 


Flat circling will bank the aircraft to 25 degrees, steep circling to 45 degrees. 

It is useful to combine this with speed control: Just press the SPD button and ensure that you will glide with constant speeds throughout the circling. 

To finish circling, please proceed as outlined below. 


Circling around a NAV target


During your flights, it can be very helpful to perform a GPS-stationary circling around a target. Examples for that are landing fields, over which you would want to bleed of altitude, or mountain huts or summit stations that you would want to visit with your glider, hangglider or paraglider. 


PRO users can now circle around a NAV target with FSXPilot. 


Method: 


Select a NAV target 

Approach the target directly by pressing the NAV button

When overhead of the NAV target, select "Circle left" -> center target or "Circle right" -> center target


Result: 


FSXPilot will enter a circle with a 35 degree bank. The first 360 degree circle is without corrections. In subsequent circles, FSXPilot will try to adjust the banking in a way that the distance to the given NAV target is minimized. 

To finish circling, please proceed as outlined below. 


CAVEAT: 


The target circling is intended and has been tested with gliders and slow motor aircraft (trikes, Cessna)  only. It probably will fail with jets. 

This is a function only available in PRO. 




Circling in a thermal


FSX thermals are not very realistic. But they exist and can even be displayed graphically. 


Realistic thermals can be added to FSX by installing CumulusX. Much better than FSX stuff and highly recommended. 


PRO users can now circle in a thermal with FSXPilot. 


Method: 


Find a thermal. Thermals are usually below a nice cumulus cloud. 

Enter a good gliding speed and press the SPD button. 

Enter a direct heading through the thermal and press the HDG button.  

 

Now fly into the thermal until you find the highest climb. Fly straight on until climb gets weaker. 

Only here select "Circle left" -> center thermal or "Circle right" -> center thermal in the quickselect menu. 


Result: 


FSXPilot will enter a circle with a 35 degree bank. The first 360 degree circle is without corrections. In subsequent circles, FSXPilot will try to adjust the banking (modify the circling position) in a way that the thermal with it's highest climb values are centered.  

In CumulusX the thermal will end just in the area of the cloud base. 

To finish circling, please proceed as outlined below. 


CAVEAT: 


The thermal circling is only available if you are a PRO user and fly an aircraft without engines. 

Thermaling with FSXpilot is still somewhat experimental and work in progress.  

It works best when you have low ambient wind speeds. 

Expect getting kicked out of the thermal from time to time. 

Remember: The best thermaler is: YOU. 


End of circling


To end any kind of circling, simply 


  • press the STRG + SPACE key (stabilizer) or 
  • enter a new heading into the heading reading field and press the HDG button or

  



Ridge soaring


FSXPilot is a good help during ridge soaring.  

Ridge soaring is usually not available in FSX. 

But you can install CumulusX which will model great ridge lift for you. 


Method 1 (manual assisted) : 


Enter a good gliding speed and press the SPD button. 

Enter a good heading value X degrees along the ridge press the HDG button. 


On your way along the ridge, observe the climb values and watch the variometer. 

As soon as the climb decreases (end of ridge), enter X+180 into the heading reading field to make a U-turn. 


PRO users can use SHIFT + HDG button to automatically do this. 


Method 2 (dropped waypoints) :


Find a good starting point along your ridge where the glider is beginning to climb.

Drop a waypoint (see Fly patterns)  

Fly to the end of the ridge where the lift decreases. 

Drop another waypoint.  

Enter a good gliding speed  and press the SPD button. 

Select "Commute between dropped waypoints" from the quickselect menu. 

FSXPilot will now fly your glider back and forth between the waypoints forever until 


  • you select a different heading and press the HDG button 
  • you select a different NAV target
  • you press CTRL + Space key (stabilizer) 
  • you press CTRL + 'O' key (reset)   


Result:  


Staying up :-) 



Finally: 

Stay up long and enjoy the gliders. 










 


   



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