Fix Aerosoft CRJ autopilot and navigation problems by checking IRS alignment, FMS activation, NAV source, active leg and capture modes.
The Aerosoft CRJ autopilot or navigation usually fails because the IRS is not aligned, the route has not been executed, the wrong navigation source is selected, or the aircraft is not on an interceptable active leg. Check the flight-mode annunciator first: it shows what is armed, captured and actually controlling the aircraft.
This diagnosis applies across the Aerosoft CRJ families for Microsoft Flight Simulator, FSX and Prepar3D, although installer details and individual system simulations differ. Do not assume the autopilot has failed merely because the aircraft remains in heading mode.
How can I tell what has failed?
The indication at the top of the primary flight display separates an autopilot fault from a navigation setup error.
| What you see | Likely cause |
|---|---|
A/P never appears | An engagement condition, disconnect input, aircraft state or controller binding is blocking the autopilot. |
HDG remains green | The autopilot is working, but heading mode is still active because NAV has not captured. |
NAV is white | NAV is armed and waiting for a valid course intercept. |
NAV is green | NAV has captured. If the aircraft turns the wrong way, inspect the active FMS leg and selected source. |
| Localiser captures but glideslope does not | The aircraft is commonly above the glideslope, the approach is not armed correctly, or no valid vertical signal exists. |
| Autopilot disconnects repeatedly | Trim commands, an autopilot-disconnect binding or conflicting hardware inputs are common causes. |
Why will the CRJ autopilot not engage?
The CRJ autopilot will not engage until the aircraft and flight-control system are in a valid operating state.
- Finish aircraft initialisation. Confirm electrical power, avionics, IRS alignment and normal PFD indications. Starting the engines does not prove the navigation system is ready. If these steps are uncertain, use our CRJ electrical, IRS and bleed-air start sequence.
- Check the flight-control panel. Ensure the autopilot-disconnect bar is in its normal position, configure the flight directors and yaw dampers, and select a sensible lateral and vertical mode before engagement.
- Stabilise the aircraft. Engage after establishing a normal climb or level flight, not while rotating, badly out of trim or making a large manual control input.
- Inspect controller assignments. Remove duplicate bindings for autopilot disconnect and electric trim. A noisy switch or repeated trim command can disconnect the system immediately.
- Disable conflicting assistance. AI piloting and assistance features can issue control or mode commands that compete with a complex add-on aircraft.
If pressing the autopilot button produces no A/P indication at all, follow the more focused MSFS CRJ autopilot engagement checklist. If A/P appears but the aeroplane ignores its route, the problem is almost certainly downstream in the FMS, source selection or mode logic.
Why will the CRJ not follow the FMS route?
The CRJ follows only an executed active leg from the navigation source selected on the PFD; a route drawn elsewhere in the simulator is not enough.
- Confirm IRS alignment and position. The aircraft symbol, heading and map must be valid before relying on FMS navigation.
- Execute the route. Complete the origin, destination and required legs, then execute pending changes. A route can appear on an FMS page without being the active route.
- Inspect discontinuities. Remove an accidental route discontinuity, but do not blindly delete every one. A vectors or manual-sequencing leg may intentionally require heading mode until receiving a direct-to instruction.
- Select the correct source. Use
FMS1orFMS2on the side commanding the flight director. If the PFD still shows a VOR or localiser source, NAV cannot follow the magenta FMS route. - Check the active leg. It should run from a sensible point near the aircraft towards the next waypoint. If it points behind you or towards the wrong segment, select an appropriate direct-to or activate the intended leg.
- Intercept before capture. Use heading mode to approach the active course at a modest angle, then arm NAV. The autopilot may not capture a route that is far away, behind the aircraft or being crossed at an extreme angle.
A mistake we see constantly is assuming a flight entered through the simulator's world map must also be active inside the CRJ FMS. Treat the cockpit FMS, its active leg and the PFD source annunciation as authoritative.
What do white and green NAV indications mean?
White NAV is armed; green NAV is active. If NAV remains white, the CRJ is waiting for valid capture conditions. If HDG remains green beside it, continue towards the selected course and verify that the active leg and navigation source are correct.
Why will an ILS or RNAV approach not capture?
Approach capture fails when the receiver source, active approach leg, intercept geometry or available vertical guidance does not match the mode being used.
- For an ILS: tune the correct localiser, set the published front course, select the appropriate VOR/LOC source and arm
APPR. Intercept the localiser from a reasonable angle and the glideslope from below. - For an RNAV approach: keep the FMS source selected, activate the correct approach leg and verify that the procedure is continuous. A displayed approach does not guarantee that its final leg is active.
- For vertical guidance: confirm what the procedure and CRJ implementation actually support. The Aerosoft CRJ does not provide airliner-style coupled VNAV, and some FMS vertical information is advisory rather than an autopilot command.
If lateral navigation works until the final approach, use our RNP source, active-leg and intercept checks to separate a route problem from unsupported or incorrectly armed vertical guidance.
Why are speed and descent not being controlled?
The Aerosoft CRJ has no autothrottle, and its speed mode does not move the thrust levers.
In climb or descent, speed mode changes pitch to maintain the selected airspeed while the pilot sets thrust manually. Altitude capture controls pitch as the aircraft approaches the selected altitude. An FMS descent profile or vertical advisory does not make the aircraft descend automatically, so use the appropriate vertical mode and manage thrust yourself.
What should I reset if it still does not work?
A controlled test is more useful than immediately reinstalling the aircraft or deleting navigation data.
- Start a fresh flight rather than loading a saved complex-aircraft state, which may not restore every switch, FMS entry and system condition correctly.
- Use a short test route with one or two waypoints, no discontinuity and a clearly interceptable active leg.
- Test without external hardware or remove suspect trim and autopilot bindings temporarily.
- Update the correct CRJ edition through its supplied installer or updater, making sure that the installed package supports the simulator being used.
- Record the PFD evidence. The selected navigation source, active FMA modes and active FMS leg reveal far more than the route line alone.