Autopilot: heading and altitude hold

intermediate

✈ Cessna 172 G1000⏱ ~6 minutes📊 4 steps

Set the bugs, engage the GFC 700, and hold a heading and altitude.

Start this scenario

Opens the SimTuts G1000 simulator with “Autopilot: heading and altitude hold” already running, so you can walk through it step-by-step on the simulated glass cockpit.

Open trainer →

Step-by-step: Autopilot: heading and altitude hold

Set the heading bug to 120°.
Always set the bug before selecting HDG so the aircraft turns the way you expect.
Set the altitude bug to 5,000 ft.
The GFC 700 uses this selected altitude as its ALT-hold target.
Engage the autopilot (AP).
Engaging AP with no modes selected holds wings level and pitch.
Select Heading mode and Altitude hold.
Now the aircraft turns to the heading bug and levels at the selected altitude.

Background reading

Guide
MSFS 2024 Autopilot Guide: Every Mode Explained (GA and Airliners)
How to use the MSFS 2024 autopilot — engage it in the Cessna 172, 737 and A320, master HDG, NAV, VNAV and APR, and fix the modes that won't arm.
Guide
Garmin G1000 and G3000 Avionics Guide for MSFS 2024: The Complete Hands-On Tutorial
Master the Garmin G1000 and G3000 glass cockpit in MSFS 2024 — PFD/MFD layout, flight plans, Direct-To, autopilot modes, and loading approaches.

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