We have a Loc/BC 27 approach at home base KPTK. Yesterday for grins I brought it up on the Garmin 430W and while about 13 miles out tried to couple the autopilot to it. I normally set the needle on the HSI backwards, so the tail is on 27, to get normal sensing on the CDI. Approaching the extended centerline from the left at about 20 degrees off, the AP indicated it was connecting. But it kept turning further right, to the point that it was 90 degrees to the final approach course, and felt like it wanted to keep that up till it was heading the wrong way. I was getting proper indication on the HSI, green data etc. Tried again after hand flying back, now right of course, and it did the same thing in the other direction. What should I have done different?? Might be a Garmin thing? or maybe I shouldn't swing the needle around backwards? Is there a back course button somewhere?
Back Course Approach
- Thread starter hmanvel
- Start date
So when you do that, you're getting "normal" visual sensing, but as far as the autopilot's concerned, when on a LOC, the course is somewhere behind you. So in short, you'd need a way to either reverse the sensing on the radio device (the SL30 has this in the form of the BC button), or a ways to tell SkyView that you're on a backcourse. We don't have that capability in SkyView today, and, that should be documented better for sure.
Backcourse itself is on the list of possible AP features, but as with all features, what gets implemented depends on how often we hear a request for various features from customers.
johnsteichen
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2010
- Messages
- 227
Yes, twin engine EMS
rlmarshall
New Member
Any updates on BC Autopilot capability or better documentation?