Mon Aug 23, 2021 11:31 am
#1866773
Do autopilots have their own gyros? Mine hasn't worked for about 20 years and actually I have no idea how they work!
Autopilots used to get their ‘gyro’ information from the Turn Coordinator.
Not many older autopilots in GA light aeroplanes work, or work properly.
Even the KAP140 in the DA42 I used to fly tended to impart a gentle hunting ‘dutch’ roll.
Newer autopilots get their info from AHRS, and radio navigation aids.
I was very impressed over twenty years ago by the rock steady autopilot in the TB10. It was much better than hand flying in turbulence, but at that time it was subject to human input error as it bounced of a line and headed northwest rather than continue towards Norwich.
In Canada for your IR renewal you are expected to engage the autopilot. It is essential to the safe conduct of single pilot IFR... If it works properly.
The autopilot in the Lancair 320 ran off the combined turn coordinator thingamajig in the panel.
It wasn’t engaged, but passing Roswell the gyro thingamajig went haywire and the Grand Rapids PFD turned black. The MFD on the right side still worked and I selected it to alternate PFD mode.
A slippery over sensitive tricky aeroplane, the Lancair 320 would soon have a loss of control in IMC... After a reset, I decided not to trust it if I encountered IMC.
What is it about Roswell?
MichaelP
Wandering the World
Wandering the World