Cockpit Reference Guide

Garmin G1000 Pilot’s Guide for the Piper PA-46 Meridian
190-00763-02 Rev. A
410
AUTOMATIC FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM
SYSTEM
OVERVIEW
FLIGHT
INSTRUMENTS
EICAS
AUDIO PANEL
& CNS
FLIGHT
MANAGEMENT
HAZARD
AVOIDANCE
AFCS
ADDITIONAL
FEATURES
APPENDICESINDEX
ALTITUDE HOLD MODE (ALT)
Altitude Hold Mode can be activated by pressing the ALT Key;theightdirectormaintainsthecurrentaircraft
altitude (to the nearest 10 feet) as the Altitude Reference. The flight director’s Altitude Reference, shown in the
AFCS Status Box, is independent of the Selected Altitude, displayed above the Altimeter. Altitude Hold Mode
activeisindicatedbyagreen‘ALT’annunciationintheAFCSStatusBox.
Altitude Hold Mode is automatically armed when the flight director is in Selected Altitude Capture Mode (see
Figure 7-7). Selected Altitude Capture Mode automatically transitions to Altitude Hold Mode when the altitude
errorislessthan50feet.Inthiscase,theSelectedAltitudebecomestheightdirector’sAltitudeReference.
CHANGING THE ALTITUDE REFERENCE
NOTE: Turning the ALT SEL Knob while in Altitude Hold Mode changes the Selected Altitude, but not the
flight director’s Altitude Reference, and does not cancel the mode.
Withthe CWS Buttondepressed,theaircraftcanbehand-owntoanewAltitudeReference.Whenthe
CWS Button is released at the desired altitude, the new altitude is established as the Altitude Reference.
Figure 7-8 Altitude Hold Mode
Altitude Hold
Mode Active
Altitude
Reference
Command Bars Hold Pitch Attitude
to Maintain Altitude Reference
Selected
Altitude
Bug
Selected
Altitude