X-Virus-Scanned: clean according to Sophos on Logan.com Return-Path: Sender: To: lml@lancaironline.net Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2013 15:10:25 -0500 Message-ID: X-Original-Return-Path: Received: from nk11p08mm-asmtp001.mac.com ([17.158.58.246] verified) by logan.com (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 6.0.8) with ESMTP id 6661562 for lml@lancaironline.net; Sun, 29 Dec 2013 14:01:25 -0500 Received-SPF: pass receiver=logan.com; client-ip=17.158.58.246; envelope-from=gw5@me.com Received: from [192.168.0.11] (cpe-071-077-249-052.ec.res.rr.com [71.77.249.52]) by nk11p08mm-asmtp001.mac.com (Oracle Communications Messaging Server 7u4-27.08(7.0.4.27.7) 64bit (built Aug 22 2013)) with ESMTPSA id <0MYL00LCI0T8EBB0@nk11p08mm-asmtp001.mac.com> for lml@lancaironline.net; Sun, 29 Dec 2013 19:00:46 +0000 (GMT) X-Proofpoint-Virus-Version: vendor=fsecure engine=2.50.10432:5.11.87,1.0.14,0.0.0000 definitions=2013-12-29_03:2013-12-27,2013-12-29,1970-01-01 signatures=0 X-Proofpoint-Spam-Details: rule=notspam policy=default score=0 spamscore=0 suspectscore=0 phishscore=0 adultscore=0 bulkscore=0 classifier=spam adjust=0 reason=mlx scancount=1 engine=7.0.1-1308280000 definitions=main-1312290137 Content-type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 MIME-version: 1.0 (Mac OS X Mail 7.1 \(1827\)) Subject: Re: [LML] Re: Advanced flight systems s-TEC GPSS interface From: George Wehrung In-reply-to: X-Original-Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2013 14:00:52 -0500 Content-transfer-encoding: quoted-printable X-Original-Message-id: References: X-Original-To: Lancair Mailing List X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.1827) We have the AFS 4500S in our ES with the TruTrak Autopilot. TruTrak = manufactures the autopilot for AFS. I agree with the display being too busy and would also prefer a separate = HSI vs being overlaid on top of the ADI. Our autopilot needs adjustment either in the servos or software as it = pitches and hunts in turns of greater than 10=CB=9A. Just another thing = I need to get to. I am also having trouble controlling the autopilot = through the AFS EFIS. The early installs had a two position rocker = switch where the autopilot took its input directly from a garmin GPS = (GNS430W in our case) or from the EFIS. I can only go directly from the = Garmin at this point. =46rom talking with AFS tech support they have = tried giving me directions on how to take the switch out of the loop. = But if I can=E2=80=99t have the EFIS give direction from the autopilot = it will become just a wing leveler and altitude hold autopilot. I am also very interested to see where the Garmin G3X goes. I would = like to have a single unit over on the right side so they can fly and = then two units having a ADI/HSI on one panel and a moving map Panels = together. This would compliment my Garmin stack (340, MX20, GNS430W, = and SL30). And when I do replace the 430 I could do that with the GTN = 650. =20 My other complaint with the AFS is that I can not see the second bearing = pointer. I use #1 for the GPS enroute pointer and the HSI but I can=E2=80= =99t see the bearing that my SL30 is locked onto. Ok, that=E2=80=99s my rant for now. George On Dec 29, 2013, at 11:35 AM, Todd Long wrote: > Do you already have an afs EFIS? I currently have the 3500S. It = interfaces with the AFS Pilot to control everything. It does have ALT = preselect.=20 > I think the user interface is way better with the 5000 series. In my = 3500 there is way too much button pushing to just change heading and = altitude. The 5000 has pretty much dedicated knobs for each altitude and = heading select. So I'm sure that makes it way nicer to use. The 5000 so = makes entering crossing point altitudes easy. >=20 > The altitude and pitch has given me no trouble. So far it works well = and holds altitude nicely even in in light to moderate summer bumps. The = lateral is another story. It tends to hunt until it finally gets its = self dialed in. I think the servo they recommended doesn't have enough = torque. If I was to do a new install I would use the recommended pitch = servo and the high torque on roll. Also when disturbed in roll by = turbulence in starts oscillating. A kind of tick tock motion. Doesn't = get worse but doesn't get better. If I grab the stick and hold it steady = for a second it stops. No idea why it does that but I have heard I'm not = the only one with this problem. So far I have not been able to come up = with a combination of settings in the autopilot and EFIS to correct the = problem.=20 >=20 > Install was fairly straight forward. Took 2 days.=20 > Half of it was disassembling the panel and interior. The stec servos = will not work. And a few new wires will need to be run. The afs takes 9? = for pitch I think.=20 >=20 > I really dislike the 3500 interface so far as usability. And the HSI = overlayed on the ADI annoys me. Too much clutter in one space. I have = considered upgrading to the 5000 series for a bigger screen and all the = extra knobs and buttons. But to be honest I want to see what Garmin does = with the G3X next. Maybe a bigger or touch screen? If so I'd pull all = the AFS stuff out and go all Garmin autopilot included. The Garmin = autopilot servos have more torque than the AFS does except for the high = torque. Plus Garmin isn't going anywhere soon or being bought out. And = if you have any problems with compatibility it's most likely a one stop = shop for tech support. Because what else would you install but Garmin = GPS and radios.=20 > Garmin does charge more for data updates. But over all in total costs, = flying and insuring a 4P isn't cheap to start.=20 >=20 > Playing with both the Garmin and AFS at Oshkosh this summer I'm sold = on Garmin. But since my system is workable now I'm going to wait to see = what comes out next. My wishes really only include a bigger screen and = maybe touch screen. Garmin has the screen technology in their portables = at that size and is going touch on about everything else.=20 >=20 > Sent from my iPhone >=20 >> On Dec 28, 2013, at 10:38, Douglas Johnson = wrote: >>=20 >> How do you like the afs autopilot? Does it have altitude preselect = and hold? Good lateral and vertical precision? Did you have to switch = out all your stec servos and wiring? >>=20 >> Douglas Johnson MD >> Sent from my iPad >>=20 >>> On Dec 27, 2013, at 7:28 AM, Todd Long wrote: >>>=20 >>> I screwed around for a year with an stec 55x and the afs. Don't = waste your time. You will have headaches and be disappointed. Rob will = even tell you the stec works with limited functionality and only has had = a few partial successes. It's not a sales ploy. Stec tech support tried = to help but have almost zero knowledge of afs equipment. Also the = interface for operation will be a pain. I ended up putting in the afs = pilot and should have from the start. Took about 2 days to install.=20 >>> I had the stec in the plane when I bought it. And tried to make it = work with the afs. FAIL.=20 >>>=20 >>> Sent from my iPhone >>>=20 >>>> On Dec 26, 2013, at 16:23, Tom wrote: >>>>=20 >>>> Folks=20 >>>>=20 >>>> I am interested in hearing from anyone with experience interfacing = an advanced flight systems efis with an Stec autopilot using the st901 = GPSS module. I would like to upgrade my panel incrementally and keep = the basic autopilot in place. I believe I could still operate coupled = approaches with little or no change to my existing wiring but where = things get a little fuzzy is around the heading guidance selection from = the efis source. The af5000 has an Stec selection for auto pilot type. = I am not certain if it is providing the right ARINC tags to the GPSS. Ie = ground speed and commanded roll rate. Again I would love to hear from = anybody having experience with this arrangement >>>>=20 >>>> Thanks >>>>=20 >>>> Tom >>>> -- >>>> For archives and unsub = http://mail.lancaironline.net:81/lists/lml/List.html >>>=20 >>> -- >>> For archives and unsub = http://mail.lancaironline.net:81/lists/lml/List.html >>=20 >> -- >> For archives and unsub = http://mail.lancaironline.net:81/lists/lml/List.html >=20 > -- > For archives and unsub = http://mail.lancaironline.net:81/lists/lml/List.html