My first InGame Toolbar Panel - be kind ;)
This Panel grants access to basic Autopilot controls from the Toolbar Panel.
Buttons trigger im Game Autopilot functions. Heading bug and selected Altitude can be controlled by knobs.

The full Autopilot features only work if any Autopilot Function is available in the plane's configuration
[Purpose] this Panel can help you if:
- Your plane has autopilot functions but no cockpit panel (C152, Rans, ...)
- The planes autopilot is hard to learn, you are unfamiliar or it is buggy.
- Autopilot controls are missing (no HDG bug, bad ALT / VS selector)
- you want to control the autopilot in third person
- you want to upgrade a legacy autopilot (Bank -> Heading Hold, VS -> FLC)
- you need a basic wings level mode to keep your plane steady.

Experimental custom Autopilot

If there is no Autopilot available in the plane, there is the option to use a custom experimental autopilot algorithm.

The experimental custom Autopilot is a very basic ROL / VS HOLD mode, that enables you to fly wings Level if you need a break or have to look at maps.
It is not built for navigation purposes, just to fly wings level or in a circle while having a break without crashing.
The Algorithm is a very basic control loop, so be careful. It is not very resilient against any wind, maneuvering, speed changes and so on.

There is no Heading Hold in experimental mode, so there will be a turn or drift over time, even in WINGS LEVEL mode.

The experimental Autopilot works with Helicopters and Gliders, if using only ROL mode. It's tricky, test it on your aircraft first and be careful on longer trips.

The Experimental Mode uses flight control surfaces to control the attitude of the plane. There are three control modes that may be use depending on use case and availability:

1. aileron trim, elevator trim:
- most stable
- most realistic
- trim need to be available
- works best on modern GA aircraft

2. aileron deflection, elevator deflection:

- works on aircraft that do not have trim (Helicopters, Ultralights, Gliders, ...)
- may be very rough and prone to flips

3. rudder trim, elevator trim:

- trim alternative for planes that have no aileron trim (early war birds)
- less stable 

[Usage] Getting started:

- Open Panel from the Toolbar
- select Autopilot Mode with push buttons
- use Heading Bug (right) by scrolling
- use Altitude Selector (left) by scrolling
- toggle Alt 100 / 1000 ft steps with left click
- use VS and IAS selection buttons (scrolling possible)

- toggle experimental mode by clicking on the text below
- cycle control mode by clicking on the text below (click spot may be to the right)

This was a great practice for me.

Known issues:

- Some States do not display as expected (LOC / GS arm, ALT arm, ...)
- Heading bug sometimes skips ranges (-1 to 270)
- Alt selector 100/1000 ft step user feedback not working
- HDG button sometimes triggers HDG Hold, sometimes HDG Sel
- FLC auto selects current speed buggy
- Panel window cannot be minimized any further

Fonts made from Web Fonts is licensed by CC BY 4.0

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Autopilot InGame Toolbar Panel

The Autopilot InGame Toolbar Panel provides users with easy access to basic autopilot controls directly from the Microsoft Flight Simulator toolbar. It is designed for aircraft that have autopilot capabilities but lack a physical cockpit panel, or for those struggling with complex autopilot systems. The panel allows pilots to manage autopilot modes, heading bugs, altitude settings, and various selectors, all from a user-friendly interface. Please note that the add-on requires compatible aircraft configurations and may have some known issues with state displays and functionality.

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