User guide

Autopilot Operation
8-8 SkyView Pilot’s User Guide - Revision Q
Mode
Annunciation
Description
Track Hold
(TRK)
TRK042
Track hold mode keeps the aircraft flying in a particular
direction, as determined by the GPS’s ground track, or
direction of travel over the ground. This target is reflected by
the track (TRK) bug in the HSI. When the autopilot is initially
engaged, the TRK bug will automatically be synchronized to
the current ground track of the aircraft. Effectively, this means
that the autopilot will keep flying in the same direction that
the aircraft was flying in the moment before the autopilot was
engaged. After the autopilot is engaged, change the track you
want the autopilot to fly by adjusting the TRK bug.
HSI (GPS)
GPS
In HSI mode, the autopilot will fly the lateral course guidance
that is displayed on the HSI from the provided source. For
example, if the selected HSI source is the SkyView GPS, and
there is an active Flight Plan, the autopilot will fly that flight
plan. Or if the source is a VOR the autopilot will seek to
capture and hold the set CRS to or from the VOR. If the HSI
source provided GPS roll steering commands (GPSS) the
autopilot will follow those commands.
HSI (GPSS)
GPSS
HSI (VOR)
VOR
HSI (LOC)
LOC
Level Mode
STRAIGHT
Holds the aircraft in a wings level attitude (zero degrees roll).
Figure 164 - Simplified Autopilot Roll Modes
The following table summarizes the different autopilot modes of operation for the pitch axis.
Mode
Annunciation
Description
Altitude Hold
ALT 3500
Altitude hold mode keeps the aircraft flying at a
particular altitude. The altitude that the autopilot holds
is governed by the ALT (altitude) bug. When the
autopilot is initially engaged, the ALT bug will
automatically be synchronized to your current altitude.
Effectively, this means that the autopilot will maintain
the altitude that the aircraft was at the moment before
the autopilot was engaged. After the autopilot is
engaged, you may adjust the altitude that the autopilot
holds by adjusting the ALT bug.