AutoPilot Cuts Out (Boeing 737-800 (Default / Zibo Mod))

[Trevorrm16]

Hey guys, I'm still relatively new to X-Plane and I've been flying the Boeing 737-800 quite a lot. I try to turn on the AP shortly after takeoff once I'm at a comfortable altitude. The AP makes a really scary chopping noise like a disc getting stuck in a DVD player. I do notice the A/P Reset Button lights up on the inside of the plane. I don't know what to do with it besides pressing it. I've tried to look this up before and all that comes up is that it could be me touching the trim. But I don't touch the trim. Most times, I have X-Plane run in the background (not very professional, I know), and the AP will still cut out. I'm exhausted all of my options and I figured you guys would be able to help me out.

Please help. I want to get back to flying.
Trevor

[BigKangaroo3]

Do you calibrate your yoke/joystick before taking off?
With Autopilot engaged, do you move the yoke/joystick or encounter heavy turbulence?
Do you see CWS R or CWS P appear in yellow writing under HDG SEL on the FMA when this problem occurs?
At a guess, you are manually taking over flying the plane with autopilot engaged.

[Trevorrm16]

To answer your questions:
I do not. I use keyboard and mouse.
I don't. I engage the Autopilot after 400ft above ground level.
I haven't seen it.

[BigKangaroo3]

Are you able to post a video of the issue?

[Trevorrm16]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvehYTjga0A&feature=youtu.be

Don't watch the whole thing. It's like the last 10 minutes where flying actually happens. The rest of it is loading screens and stuff. As I'm typing this, I realized I should've just spawned on the runway. It would have saved me like 45 minutes worth of recording. And I do apologize for the frame rate and the quality of the video. Stream-labs OBS took a beating on my computer so I had to turn my graphics waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down. Anyway, I hope you can help given what I have show anything. And I also appreciate the fact that you want to help a noob like me. So I thank you.

[BigKangaroo3]

When i hit play i'm told the video is unavailable. I don't even have the option of turning down the graphics settings to low. Might be Geo blocked if that is in your posting settings. Are you in the US?

[Trevorrm16]

I think this link should work. I'm not too sure if it will though. Yes I am inside of the United States. EST if that makes a difference.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1x6ouBLQCpEbPt9W_vlVNwCg0ZAgWqf7h

[BigKangaroo3]

The sounds you are hearing after taking off (CD skipping like noises at 1:15:26) are warnings and alarms because of a lack of air flow (Angle of attack (AoA) too high) over the wings generating enough lift. The aircraft is warning you it is going to stall (Your speed is 144kts at time index 1:15:26). i.e no flaps on takeoff (usually flap 5 setting is needed), too high a climb rate at certain times with too low a speed and your FMC is only partially set up ( I see now this is a limitation of using the default 737-800).

In the FMC, besides setting up the route, you also have to enter in zero fuel weight, N1 limits, wind at top of climb, temperature, reserve fuel, cost index, top of climb cruising altitude, centre of gravity, take off speeds (V1, VR, V2) etc. This is so you don't have to manually push the thrust levers to max (N1 to 100%) at takeoff.

1. Get yourself a joystick or yoke. I'm using a cheap Logitech 3D pro from PC Case Gear in Australia. (Get a more expensive one if you can afford it).
https://www.pccasegear.com/products/6607/logitech-extreme-3d-pro-joystick

2. Use the Zibo 737-800NG mod for flying.
https://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?/forums/topic/138974-b737-800x-zibo-mod-info-installation-download-links/
The CDU buttons and layout (FMC) are much better suited for programming the flight details. There are no settings in the default 737-800 CDU (FMC) to enter in performance calculations necessary for the aircraft to automatically set N1 thrust settings at takeoff, climb, cruise, and descent.

3. Sign up to https://www.simbrief.com/home/ (It's free) which will give you a layout of weight, fuel and wind directions you need to program into the FMC once you enter your departure and arrival airports. Simbrief also allows you to export your flight plan directly into your FMC thus saving you time entering individual waypoints and airways for long routes.
Once you select your route in Simbrief, you have the option of selecting the Flightaware site which will show what real world flights various airlines are using and their flight plan. eg United Flight below at 22:45 PDT
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL257/history/20190623/0555Z/KSFO/KLAX

4. I highly recommend you sign up to Navigraph (cost involved here) which will give you the charts needed for the right takeoff and approach runways, accompanying SIDS for entry into airways, STARS for departing airways, and the correct approach charts depending on if you want to use VFR or IFR ( Radio or GPS) for landing. https://www.navigraph.com/

5.Watch these videos. It will give you some great training tips. USE the Zibo mod. :-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zame9Nh2VGQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuY3wtBdiiE&list=PL64iIth-XWdut_pTvefYpXsOfeAr7weor&index=2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ll7aFpgNCw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI-FtpfSILo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qnriMfIbEE

[Trevorrm16]

Thanks so much for your help and feedback! I'll make sure to follow everything you said and I will be sure to watch those video. I always forget to set my flaps so you definitely now what you're talking about. I appreciate the help!

[BigKangaroo3]

Sure thing, happy to help out. Buzz me if you have any other questions. X-Plane 11 is a steep learning curve for those new to it. The upside is a good community willing to help out.
:-)