SV-AP-PANEL Level Button

[jdubner]

Is it expected behavior that the LEVEL button on the SV-AP-PANEL only engages the A/P in the Expert control mode (not Simplified)?

Perhaps my testing methodology is faulty: the aircraft is at rest on the ground.  However, I can press my (optional) external Level button or the LEVEL button in the Autopilot menu but not the LEVEL button on the SV-AP-PANEL unless it's in Expert mode.

Regards,
Joe

 

[Dynon]

The entire SV-AP-PANEL, including the LEVEL button, is only active at all in expert mode. I can see the immediate counter that even when trying out simplified mode on the display it would be nice to preserve that button.

 

[jdubner]

Thanks for your fast response.  (Don't you guys ever sleep? <g>)  I did not realize the SV-AP-PANEL offers no benefit in the Simplified mode. 

Personally, I don't care much either way but it felt like something was "broken" or at least inoperative with my newly-wired SV-AP-PANEL when two LEVEL buttons work and another doesn't. 

Regards,
Joe

 

[rfinch]

Don't you guys ever sleep?

Sleepless in Seattle?

 

[sunfish]

Would it be possible to have the AP button panel, or at least some of its buttons, active in the simplified autopilot mode? Maybe even user selectable as to what modes are available?

I bought the panel, and the knob panel for Three reasons unconnected with flying instrument approaches:

1) I like having redundant switches and I have a horror from experience of over used switches on other equipment wearing out.

2) I like the grouping since I have limited cockpit real estate. I don't want random switches for trim. level, etc scattered around.

3) I like the ergonomics of having them on my centre console, sort of flight management computer like and not having to fiddle with the keys on the Skyview itself.

 

[Dynon]

We don't have any plans to add them to simplified mode, but that doesn't mean we'd never do it. Note that you can also wire a separate level button to SkyView as well - my airplane has a simple blue pushbutton on the left side of the cockpit for the pilot, and the SV-AP-PANEL is a little bit of a reach over near the right seat.

 

[AlanR]

Hi,
Dynon ..Can you please confirm or not that the level button does now work both in simplified mode as well as expert mode? I have seen something recently somewhere that says this but cannot now find the doc that says so.

 

[AlanR]

Now I am confused!

I have now found the doc I earlier said I couldn't find and it was a doc going back to Jan'14 when it said the button was available in simplified and expert mode.
See here:-
http://preflight.dynonavionics.com/2014/01/did-you-know-dynon-skyview-autopilot.html#more

So if you could please clarify the position today it would be appreciated?

 

[dynonsupport]

Alan, The page you refer to describes the main SkyView Level button on the display. That is, the softkey on the main SkyView display in the Autopilot menu.

Ignoring the optional Autopilot Control Panel for a second, the SkyView Level function can be accessed in two ways. First, the softkey in the Autopilot menu. Or second, a separate physical Level button can be installed that is always available. We don't sell such a button, but they are easily obtainable.

If you do have an Autopilot Control Panel, then that is a third way to access the Level function. But only if the SkyView is in the Expert Mode. Our purpose for the Autopilot Control Panel was to make all of the autopilot functions easily available, with obvious and always available buttons, so that the simplified menu is no longer needed.

 

[AlanR]

Thanks for the clarification and clearing up my confusion..
Much appreciated.

Alan