The VSKYLABS F-19 is equipped with a basic, yet powerful autopilot system.
MAIN OPERATION MODES:
- MACH mode - The AP will try to maintain the selected Mach no.
- WLV mode - The AP will try to maintain current aircraft attitude in pitch and roll axes.
- HDG mode - The AP will try to maintain selected heading.
- ALT mode - The AP will try to maintain current altitude.
- V/S mode - The AP will try to maintain selected vertical speed.
- TER mode - The AP will utilize the on-board radar-altitude and will try to maintain the selected altitude that is set in the radar-altimeter bug. The TER mode is not intended for maintaining altitude over flat areas (over water, flat land). In such a case, use the ALT mode.
- NAV mode - The AP will track the navigation source (VOR/GPS).
- APR mode - The AP will capture the a radial in a non precision approach (VOR) or both the localizer and glide slope in a precision approach (ILS).
AUTOPILOT OPERATION ENVELOPE:
Maximum air-speed 620 knots / Mach 0.95.
Minimum air-speed 165 knots / Mach 0.25.
WARNING: Beyond or below the autopilot operational envelope speed, the autopilot may not hold the desired mode.The autopilot will disengaged automatically with high Angle of Attack values. Before engaging the autopilot, set the aircraft is a stabilized flight pattern.
AUTOPILOT PANEL AND SETTING KNOBS:
The Autopilot is operated with the use of a Main Panel(1) and with the use of four setting knobs to adjust: (2)Airspeed mode, (3)Alt-Vertical Speed mode, (4)Heading mode and (5)CDI.
MAIN OPERATION MODES - EXTENDED INFORMATION:
- Engaging a selected autopilot mode is done by pressing the Main Panel(1) directly (touch screen mechanism).
- When selecting a mode, a designation-rectangle will appear around the selected mode headline.
- When selecting the IAS / HDG / ALT / VS modes, the SELECTED (target) values of each of the modes will be shown in the upper line, just below the each mode headline.
- In case of two rows of flight data, the lower one will indicate the ACTUAL value of the selected mode.
- The values under the TER headlines indicates the ACTUAL electronic altitude. The SELECTED (target) value for this mode is tuned directly from the radar-altimeter instrument, using the radar-altimeter setting knob and the red setting index.
- Setting knobs No. 2(MACH), 3(VS), 4(HDG) is done by rotating them and setting the values to the desired ones in each mode. When pressing on these knobs, each knob will sync its autopilot SELECTED value with the ACTUAL value. For example, engagement of the autopilot Vertical Speed mode during climb, with the goal of keeping the CURRENT climb-rate after autopilot engagement, simply push the VS knob (3). This will set the SELECTED climb rate to the actual one. Then, press on the V/S mode in the Main Panel, and the autopilot will maintain the SELECTED climb rate, which is the same as the ACTUAL one.
- As of version v1.3+ the autopilot includes GPSS + VNAV capability.
Directions for using the TER (Terrain Following) mode:
- When engaging the TER mode, the autopilot will try to intercept and maintain the altitude which is set in the radar altimeter.
- The TER mode is not intended for keeping altitude over flat areas (over water, flat land). When flying straight and level over flat areas, use the ALT mode to maintain flying altitude.
- Target electronic altitude is set via the radar altimeter setting knob (6).
- To engage TER mode, first - set the radar altimeter index using the radar altimeter setting knob. Then, engage the TER mode.
- The Terrain Following mode will intercept the selected altitude. However, if flying across mountains or creeks, it will intercept the highest altitude in its scan-range. It is not designed to fly in deep canyons and over mountains.
Directions for using the WLV (Wing-Level) mode:
- The WLV mode will keep any aircraft flying attitude (in pitch and roll). This mode is very useful to maintain any fixed attitude within the autopilot operational envelope.
- WLV mode is would not pull-up or level the aircraft. It only keeps the selected aircraft attitude.
- To engage WLV mode, first, fix a desired aircraft attitude and hold it for a few seconds. Fixing aircraft attitude is done manually, using the stick, to maneuver the aircraft to the selected attitude (for example, a RH 25 degrees turn, 15 degrees nose up). Then, engage the WLV mode and the autopilot will try to maintain this attitude.
- Changing attitude while WLV is engaged: Once the WLV mode is engaged and maintaining a given flying attitude, a new attitude can be selected while the mode is engages. This is done by gently flying the aircraft manually into the new desired attitude, without disengaging the WLV mode. Then, maintain in the new attitude for a couple of seconds, and let go of the stick. The autopilot will maintain the new attitude.
- When flying in WLV mode - pay extra attention to your speed and altitude.
