AeroBrakeMFD Can't get the hang of this

[Samsta]

I'm trying to get my head around atmospheric re-entry.

I start by burning +/- normal to adjust my orbit over the target base, then when I'm on the opposite side of the earth from the base I burn retrograde to lower my orbit through the atmosphere. Then I use aerobrake mfd and adjust my pitch and bank to reduce the distance to the base, and enable the pitch/bank autopilots.

However two things happens: the distance difference between where I will re-enter and the base changes erratically, and the autopilot wont keep the pitch/bank constant, and will just start spinning the ship around randomly.

Can anyone recommend a good tutorial, or can point out what I'm doing wrong? I'm using version 0.96.2

 

[csanders]

You might want to first try aerobrake with a craft that has its own attitude hold autopilot, such as the DG-IV or one of the XR variants, and ignore aerobrake's attitude hold autopilot. (Note for XR attitude hold - make sure it's on "angle of attack" mode and not the "pitch" mode)

Then once you get the hang of reentry, you can go back and try aerobrake's attitude hold autopilot if you like.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

Oceanic's tutorial is what got me the ability to spot-land the XR fleet on the runway of my choice, rather than some random piece of land (or ocean). Very much worth viewing.

http://orbiter-forum.com/showthread.php?t=8425