Cockpit Reference Guide

Garmin G1000 Pilot’s Guide for the Piper PA-46 Meridian
190-00763-02 Rev. A
408
AUTOMATIC FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM
SYSTEM
OVERVIEW
FLIGHT
INSTRUMENTS
EICAS
AUDIO PANEL
& CNS
FLIGHT
MANAGEMENT
HAZARD
AVOIDANCE
AFCS
ADDITIONAL
FEATURES
APPENDICESINDEX
PITCH HOLD MODE (PIT)
Whentheightdirectorisactivated(theFDKeyispressed)orswitched(theXFRKeyispressed),PitchHold
Modeisselectedbydefault.PitchHoldModeisindicatedastheactiveverticalmodebythe‘PIT’annunciation.
This mode may be used for climb or descent to the Selected Altitude (shown above the Altimeter), since
Selected Altitude Capture Mode is automatically armed when Pitch Hold Mode is activated.
InPitchHoldMode,theightdirectormaintainsaconstantpitchattitude,thepitchreference.Thepitch
referenceissettotheaircraftpitch attitudeatthe momentofmode selection.Iftheaircraftpitch attitude
exceeds the flight director pitch command limitations, the flight director commands a pitch angle equal to the
nose-up/down limit.
CHANGING THE PITCH REFERENCE
WhenoperatinginPitchHoldMode,thepitchreferencecanbeadjustedby:
•Usingthe NOSE UP/DN Wheel
•Pressingthe CWS Button, hand-flying the aircraft to establish a new pitch reference, then releasing the
CWS Button
Figure 7-6 Pitch Hold Mode
Selected
Altitude
Command Bars Maintain
Desired Pitch Reference
Selected Altitude
Capture Mode Armed
Pitch Hold
Mode Active