SmartCopilot
SmartCopilot is an optional procedural assistant that takes care of routine cockpit tasks a second crew member would normally handle. It manages the gust lock, hydraulic pump, propeller levers, and takeoff power while leaving full authority with the pilot.
SmartCopilot is configured in the EFB under Options → SmartCopilot. Use the Smart Copilot: Active / Deactive button to turn the whole system on or off, then enable or disable each automation individually. All settings are saved and restored in future simulator sessions.
No automation runs while SmartCopilot is set to Deactive, even if individual options are enabled.
Automation Assistance
| Automation | What SmartCopilot does |
|---|---|
| Gust Lock | Disengages the gust lock when the aircraft enters the runway, and engages it again when the aircraft leaves the runway on the ground. |
| Hydraulic Pumps | Switches the hydraulic pump on while an engine is running and the aircraft is below 3,500 ft radio altitude, and off when climbing above it or when the engines are shut down. |
| Propeller Levers | Sets the RPM Levers for each phase of flight — see below. Requires at least one engine running. |
| Takeoff Power | Protects the engines from over-torque during the takeoff roll — see below. |
Gust Lock Automation
The gust lock is released as the aircraft lines up on the runway, so it does not need to be disengaged manually before takeoff. After landing, it is engaged again once the aircraft taxis off the runway.
Hydraulic Pumps Automation
The hydraulic pump is switched on whenever an engine is running and the aircraft is below 3,500 ft radio altitude, covering taxi, takeoff, approach, and landing, when the flaps, brakes, and nosewheel steering need hydraulic pressure. It is switched off in the climb once the aircraft passes 3,500 ft radio altitude, matching the Hyd Pump Switch — OFF item in the Climb checklist.
Changes are applied about one second after the conditions are met.
Propeller Levers Automation
SmartCopilot positions the RPM Levers according to the phase of flight:
| Phase | RPM Lever position |
|---|---|
| On the ground, off the runway | TAXI |
| On the runway | TAKEOFF/LAND |
| Airborne, below 2,500 ft radio altitude and descending | TAKEOFF/LAND |
| Airborne, climbing more than 300 ft/min | Governed to climb RPM |
| Airborne, otherwise (cruise and descent) | Governed to cruise RPM |
The RPM Levers can still be moved manually, but SmartCopilot will return them to its target once they are more than 3% away from it. Disable Propeller Levers Automation if you want to manage propeller RPM yourself.
Takeoff Power Automation
Takeoff Power Automation activates during the takeoff roll when all of the following are true:
- The aircraft is on the runway.
- Both Power Levers are at 98% or more.
- The parking brake is released.
- These conditions have been held for about two seconds.
While active, if either engine exceeds 100% torque, SmartCopilot gradually retards that engine’s Power Lever until torque is back within the limit. It never reduces a Power Lever below 80%.
The automation ends when the Power Levers are retarded below 75% or when the aircraft climbs through 1,000 ft radio altitude.
Aural Assistance
The following aural features are shown in the SmartCopilot options:
- V1 Callout
- Speed Monitoring
- Decision Height
- Radio Altitude Callouts
- Automation Assistance Aural Notice
SmartCopilot Aural Assistance is not available in the current version. These options are greyed out in the EFB and will be provided in a future update.