Skyview, VPX & autotrim

[flaude]

I f you have a Skyview auto pilot and a VPX I think that it should not be very difficult to add an auto trim do the autopilot.

I think it should even be a piece a of cake!! just software?

 

[jbeaver]

I would love to see this. Autotrim was one of the features that I was really hoping to get.

 

[rfinch]

What's autotrim...maybe I want it too!

 

[dynonsupport]

I'll admit that is an interesting idea, so we'll put it on the list. We have several high priority items on the list right now, so no guarantees.

We take anything that adjusts the controls on an airplane very seriously, so it's far from "just software." We'd never release something like that without a huge amount of controlled testing.

Realize that autotrim can only adjust your trim while the autopilot is engaged. There is no way to make a trim system that adjusts all the time when you are hand flying the plane.

 

[flaude]

For me this is just an option when you are on autopilot mode. when you are on manual mode, it is very easy to trim but on autopilot mode, not that easy. of course you have the small arrow that just tell you how to move but for me it is always too much or too less... Some time I have to disconnect the AP just to trim the plane and reconnect the AP...

I think that the VPX is such a wonderful system that more and more customers will adopt it. It is just a matter of time...

I can understand that this needs a lot of control and I am very happy that Dynon have done such a nice job on the Skyview. No problem for me in 60 hours and quite intuitive

 

[Dw1oakes]

I just purchased a VPx and also planning on the Skyview too.
However after reading the previous post it makes me stop and realize that I may to rethink my position. I was thinking that the autopilot would keep the airplane in trim. If that is not the case then I will have to consider a roll trim. :'(

 

[dynonsupport]

No autopilot that I am aware of will keep the airplane in roll trim. The servos exert no force when they are off, so they can't correct an out of trim situation. When engaged, they can deal with a pretty out of trim plane, but when you disengage you now have to hand fly the untrimmed airplane.

There are some systems that can drive a PITCH trim servo and keep the airplane trimmed while the autopilot is engaged, but these need an electric trim servo and the assumption is always that you have buttons to manually adjust it while the AP is off. These buttons and drivers are built into the VP-X.

 

[mmarien]

I suspect it's a little disappointing the VP-X didn't go like wild fire after all the noise we made about it. If it's any consolation VP-X is on my upgrade list for the winter. I have a heated shop booked. I'm just not in a hurry to yank the plane apart until I'm positive there are no more good flying days left.

Also nice article on the Flight Design with Skyview in AOPA PILOT magazine.

 

[jakej]

"I suspect it's a little disappointing the VP-X didn't go like wild fire after all the noise we made about it."

IMO the uptake will be slow initially until we become aware of the benefits and features of the VP systems - I recently installed the VP-X into a RV10 but the timing of the Dynon/VP interface meant that we had to use the very small MGL unit to display VP info. However we also planned for the Skyview to do that job later by having enough wire length to simply change over from the MGL.

Jake J

 

[flaude]

I just purchased a VPx and also planning on the Skyview too.
However after reading the previous post it makes me stop and realize that I may to rethink my position. I was thinking that the autopilot would keep the airplane in trim. If that is not the case then I will have to consider a roll trim. :'(

I can just tell you that VPX and Skyview in a plane is just magic. I would not reconsider this very good choice! All the wiring in my plane was done in 2 months (70 hours and I was an absolute beginner)

 

[Dw1oakes]

After reading some of the replies, I believe that I was incorrect with my post. I wanted to say, I expected an engaged autopilot to trim my airplane, both roll and pitch. I now understand that this is true. I realize that a disengaged autopilot would not do any trimming; so I think that I am ok with the direction I am going.
I look forward to the time when I can put my bird in the air with the VPx and Skyview. I just started wiring the VPx.
Dave

 

[rfinch]

I remain a bit confused. If one's aircraft has electric trim for both elevator and ailerons, and has a VP electrical system, will the Dynon Skyview autotrim while engaged?

 

[jakej]

I remain a bit confused. If one's aircraft has electric trim for both elevator and ailerons, and has a VP electrical system, will the Dynon Skyview autotrim while engaged?

In a word, no. 

Most Auto trim systems use the existing electric elevator trim - conversely most do not have auto roll trim.

Auto Trim usually applies to Altitude Hold and is an additional feature that auto pilot manufacturers have for their systems as an additional cost item. 
With this feature the aircraft is always kept in trim regardless of wind conditions (standing waves) & shifting centre of gravity (due fuel burn etc).  A/Trim is very useful (essential IMO) for altitude preselect - you just set altitude and the A/Pilot does the rest allowing you time for other cockpit duties.

HTH

Jake J

 

[4yV0Cgye9cj]

Piper has two fully mechanical methods for sensing pitch trim and automatically engaging the pitch trim servo to trim the aircraft without an autopilot engaged.