HS34 Autopilot interface

[quesauce]

I'd love to be able to fly coupled approaches with an ILS. As you know, most nav radios can output an analog signal. Unfortunately, the only autopilots to support this are the high end Trutrak units. How much work would it be to convert the analog signals from the nav radio into either NMEA or ARINC to allow the use of the low to mid-range autopilots using the HS34? Is such a thing remotely feasible? I know you guys are working on your own autopilot, but it would be great in the interim or for users with existing autopilots. It would also give me an excuse to buy an HS34.

Cheers,
Kevin

 

[dynonsupport]

Technically, it's semi-feasible, but it's complex. In order to do it, we'd have to put part of an autopliot in the HS34. It's not just a signal conversion issue.

 

[PhantomPholly]

I'd love to be able to fly coupled approaches with an ILS. As you know, most nav radios can output an analog signal. Unfortunately, the only autopilots to support this are the high end Trutrak units. How much work would it be to convert the analog signals from the nav radio into either NMEA or ARINC to allow the use of the low to mid-range autopilots using the HS34? Is such a thing remotely feasible? I know you guys are working on your own autopilot, but it would be great in the interim or for users with existing autopilots. It would also give me an excuse to buy an HS34.

Cheers,
Kevin

Kevin,

If I understand it correctly the Garmin GNS 480 does exactly this, switching automatically from GPS guidance to ILS guidance on the approach and converting the steering signals to (NMEA? ARINC?). I haven't tried it yet, but this is the setup I expect to be flying by February 2008:

- GNS 480
- D-180
- HS34
- TruTrack Digiflight II VSGV

Since Garmin officially announced the discontinuance of this model last week, you may be able to find terrific deals on GNS 480 units soon.

Cheers,

Bill