Operating Handbook For SORCERER, AP 100 AUTOPILOT TRUTRAK FLIGHT SYSTEMS 1500 S. Old Missouri Road Springdale, AR 72764 Ph. 479-751-0250 Fax 479-751-3397 www.TruTrakap.
1 Table of Contents Operating Instructions General Introduction.................................................... 2 Mode and Data Display ............................................... 3 Controls ....................................................................... 4 Lateral Modes.............................................................. 4 GPS Steering/GPS Nav Mode ..................................... 5 NAV/Loc Course Mode .............................................. 5 Reverse Course Mode.......
2 General Introduction The TruTrak autopilot can be defined as being an orthogonal rate system. This means that gyroscopic rate sensors are installed so as to sense motion about each of the major axes (roll, pitch and yaw). These sensors generate the fast signal responses necessary to create an autopilot with the best possible dynamic performance.
3 POWER UP—AIRCRAFT STATIONARY SEE INITIALIZING THE AUTOPILOT PAGE 11 Mode and Data Display This display normally shows operating modes and associated numerical data. It is also used to display setup mode screens and the setting of associated numerical data. When displaying operating modes, the left side shows lateral data and the right side shows vertical data. (See figure below) The upper left display TRK shows the labeled electronic DG slaved to GPS track.
4 Controls Switches labeled [NAV] [REV] [SEL] [VNAV] when depressed enter the respective lateral and vertical mode setup screens. When the desired setup screen is displayed, the numerical data to be entered will be underlined. The data is then set by rotating the encoder knob and entered by depressing and then quickly releasing the knob. This will be referred to hereafter as “enter”. The [TRK] [ALT] [AP] [GPSS] [GPSV] buttons do not have setup screens; they enter directly into the respective modes.
5 will be direction. used to control GPS Steering/GPS Nav Mode Pressing the [GPSS] button will enter either GPS NAV or GPSS mode depending on which, if either, steering signal is available to the autopilot. In GPS NAV mode the autopilot follows a flight plan programmed into the GPS. The autopilot will however overfly each waypoint prior to turning and intercepting the course line to the next waypoint.
6 Also, intercept direction is underlined which means it can be adjusted. With this feature the system is in a selected direction mode until the on course turn (tracking phase) is initiated. During the intercept phase of the approach, the lower left display will alternate between INT and NAV or LOC depending on which mode has been selected. When the aircraft is established on the inbound portion of the approach, the lower left display will indicate the selected course.
7 COURSE navigation should not be used when GPS track is absent. The VNAV mode will also not be functional without a GPS signal. When in the gyro backup mode the number displayed below BANK is the selected bank angle. Rotating the encoder knob will move the selected bank angle one degree at a time up to five degrees, the bank angle is then selectable in five degree steps up to 30 degrees.
8 digital altimeter. For example, pressing enter between 4950 and 5050 will select 5000. Vertical GPS Steering Mode Pressing the [GPSV] button will enter vertical GPS steering mode. In the GPSV mode the autopilot follows vertical steering commands generated by a navigation system (EFIS or GPS). If there is a vertical steering signal present, the autopilot can also be engaged with [GPSV] button, and it will engage in the GPSS and GPSV mode. When in the GPSV mode, the display will be as shown below.
9 At this screen the SEL ALT numerals are underlined so that rotation of the encoder selects the target altitude. When this is done press enter. If a higher altitude has been selected, the pre-set (best-cruise climb) air speed is now displayed and underlined. This value can be modified by rotating the encoder knob. When air speed has been set, press enter and the altitude transition will begin. The autopilot will then revert to the normal flight display. Also, SEL direction will again be underlined.
10 altitude select screen display will show following screen. To set barometer see Barometer on page 8. the the the set If the barometer set has been done the display will show the following screen. NOTE: If there is not a GPS signal present, the [VNAV] button will not function. At this screen the SEL ALT numerals are under lined so that rotation of the encoder selects the target altitude. When this is done press enter.
11 Additional Operating Instructions Initializing the Autopilot The autopilot master switch should be in the off position when the engine is started. Aircraft electrical systems can generate voltage transients during an engine start, and like other avionics systems, the autopilot should not be subjected unnecessarily to these conditions. After start up, turn on the autopilot master switch and hold the aircraft stationary as the internal gyros are initialized.
12 procedure is to select the desired altitude and then press enter. aircraft attempts to sustain vertical speed. As airspeed then NOTE: The Barometer must be set prior to attempting to enter the altitude select screen. diminishes to the pre-set minimum it will hold this value and thus prevent a stall. When aircraft vertical speed is less than approximately 450 feet per minute, the autopilot will initially select zero vertical speed.
13 off. Finally, when the bars have been made to disappear and there has been no speed change, the bars can be ignored if they reappear if it is known the aircraft is close to being in trim. Power Loss If there is a momentary loss of electrical power, the autopilot will disengage. When this happens it is necessary to do a GYRO SET before re-engaging the autopilot. To accomplish this, the aircraft must be held very straight during which time the encoder knob is pressed to do GYRO SET.
14 Sorcerer Setup Procedure In a manner Lateral Setup The lateral setup consists of setting activity, torque, serial baud rate, and various configuration parameters. To enter the setup mode, press and hold the [TRK] button for two or more seconds, until the first setup screen appears. This screen shows the current value for the activity, with an underline under the present setting of activity. A typical screen might show: The underlined number is set by rotating the encoder knob.
15 However, it may be set to any of 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, or 9600 baud. Consult the manual for the GPS unit and follow its setup instructions to determine its setting and set the baud rate of the autopilot to the same value. The autopilot will recognize NMEA-0183 protocol, Garmin protocol, or Apollo GX50/GX60 protocol (moving map output).
16 tone to the audio system. Adjust the value between 0 and 16 for the desired volume. Once the audio level has been set, press the up control on the vertical speed rocker to advance to the next setup screen, which is shown below. The next setup screen is the external DG/HSI setup screen. Use the encoder to select either Y (yes) or N (no) depending on whether an external DG or HSI is connected to the system.
17 setup screen appears. This screen shows the current value for the activity with an underline under the present setting of activity. A typical screen might show: Turn the encoder knob to set the activity level to the desired value for the particular aircraft. Any value between 0 and 24 may be chosen. Once activity is set to the desired value, press the up control on the vertical speed rocker to advance to the next setup screen, which is shown below.
18 The next screen in the pitch setup sequence allows adjustment to compensate for the lag (delay) in the aircraft’s static system. Select the lowest value over the range 0 to 2 which results in the elimination of “hunting” in the altitude hold mode. This adjustment should be done in still air at cruise airspeed. Press the up control on the vertical speed rocker to advance to the next setup screen, which is shown below. The next setup screen is MICROACTIVITY.
TruTrak Flight Systems, Inc. (5-06) Printed in U.S.A.
