Autopilot question?

[jamesdietz]

Simple: I'm not sure how long after takeoff I have to wait before going on autopilot.It seems as if when i do it quickly my plane spends the entire mission circling my airfield & never joins up with his mates( Tommys or Jerries,in fact if I try to join them manually ,I can see on my map that I still have a line firmly attached to my airfield & even when I'm half way across the Channel ,if I put on autopilot,my plane will turn around & go back home,)) but if I wait long enough( not sure about this) then hit "A" I seem to tuck up into formation or lead a formation to target.
Anyone have a clue?