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Autopilot Mode Upon Engagement
- Thread starter dodsond
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2005
- Messages
- 13,226
You control what mode the AP is in before engagement.
Without the AP74, you use the menu keys and can go into mode to choose heading, track, or nav before you turn it on. It remembers the last used mode so if you toggle it on and off it doesn't reset.
With the AP74, you use the buttons on the module to choose what is armed, and then hit the AP button to engage or disengage it all. If you don't pre-choose a mode and just hit AP, heading hold comes on synced to your current heading.
The lateral and pitch modes can be engaged and disengaged completely independent of one another.
Without the AP74, you use the menu keys and can go into mode to choose heading, track, or nav before you turn it on. It remembers the last used mode so if you toggle it on and off it doesn't reset.
With the AP74, you use the buttons on the module to choose what is armed, and then hit the AP button to engage or disengage it all. If you don't pre-choose a mode and just hit AP, heading hold comes on synced to your current heading.
The lateral and pitch modes can be engaged and disengaged completely independent of one another.
Bill_Denton
New Member
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2006
- Messages
- 28
Just a thought...
Most autopilots, if engaged without pre-arming, come up in "wing leveler" mode, with no heading hold.
Are you sure you want to buck the trend?
Most autopilots, if engaged without pre-arming, come up in "wing leveler" mode, with no heading hold.
Are you sure you want to buck the trend?
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2005
- Messages
- 13,226
The trend was bucked years ago with the "digital" autopilots that actually know your heading and can automatically sync the heading bug. All of our competitors engage in this mode, although we're unique in actually being able to do heading mode, not just track mode.
Wing leveler mode was a function of basic rate based autopilots that needed an external source like a DG in order to give them heading information and a heading bug. They couldn't sync the heading bug on the mechanical DG/HSI upon engagement like we can.
Wing leveler mode was a function of basic rate based autopilots that needed an external source like a DG in order to give them heading information and a heading bug. They couldn't sync the heading bug on the mechanical DG/HSI upon engagement like we can.
PhantomPholly
New Member
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2007
- Messages
- 582
Can you specify the "Default" mode differently from the "Remembered Last Mode of Operation?"
That would be the best of all worlds - people could specify how they want the system to engage. Example: Last mode was ILS - don't want that right after takeoff!
I can see at least two "defaults" - the one to use after power-up, and the one to use if the A/P is disengaged in flight (perhaps when using a "control wheel disconnect button," like TruTrak). If you disengage for a moment to avoid a flock of birds, most likely on re-engagement you would prefer to resume the approach.
Just thinking out loud...
That would be the best of all worlds - people could specify how they want the system to engage. Example: Last mode was ILS - don't want that right after takeoff!
I can see at least two "defaults" - the one to use after power-up, and the one to use if the A/P is disengaged in flight (perhaps when using a "control wheel disconnect button," like TruTrak). If you disengage for a moment to avoid a flock of birds, most likely on re-engagement you would prefer to resume the approach.
Just thinking out loud...