---------------------------------------------------------- Zenith-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Sat 07/23/11: 2 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 06:20 AM - DigiTrak autopilot (Klaus Truemper) 2. 03:43 PM - Re: DigiTrak autopilot (Terry Phillips) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 06:20:58 AM PST US From: Klaus Truemper Subject: Zenith-List: DigiTrak autopilot The DigiTrak autopilot has been an inexpensive addition to my plane. It has been of tremendous help during long flights. Recently, an unexpected problem came up, triggering this message for other pilots having the same autopilot. When the DigiTrak autopilot is engaged, and inadvertently you or your passenger step on one of the two rudder pedals so that the ball goes out of center, then the autopilot will start a turn that will not stop. The transition to the turn is smooth and not noticed if the pilot is occupied with some other issue. Apparently, the uncoordinated flight with the ball out of center is interpreted by the autopilot as a wings-not-level condition that should be corrected. The sequence of events happened on a recent trip when I turned around to fetch something from the baggage area and inadvertently pushed the left rudder pedal. The corrective action: Disengage the autopilot, use the rudder to center the ball, get back on the original, intended heading, and engage the autopilot again. I do not know if the other autopilots by TruTrak exhibit the same behavior. My guess is that this may well be the case. On another note: I put a blog together that contains articles written over the years about various trips west. If you want to see the articles, go to http://passionforflight.blogspot.com The material may be useful if you are planning a trip west. Happy flying, Klaus ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 03:43:40 PM PST US From: Terry Phillips Subject: Re: Zenith-List: DigiTrak autopilot Hi Klaus Thanks for sharing the link to your travelblog. I loved your trips to NM, AZ, UT, & CO. I worked 20+ years at Los Alamos, so I am very familiar with that country. I was surprised that you didn't fly up to Leadville from Beuna Vista. If I ever get that close to Leadville, I'd want to land there just to say I'd landed at 10,000 ft MSL. Thanks also for the photo of Phillip. He was very cordial and helpful in my contacts with him. Terry On 7/23/2011 7:12 AM, Klaus Truemper wrote: > The DigiTrak autopilot has been an inexpensive addition to my plane. > It has been of tremendous help during long flights. > > Recently, an unexpected problem came up, triggering this message for > other pilots having the same autopilot. > > When the DigiTrak autopilot is engaged, and inadvertently you or your > passenger > step on one of the two rudder pedals so that the ball goes out of center, > then the autopilot will start a turn that will not stop. The transition > to the turn is smooth and not noticed if the pilot is occupied with > some other > issue. Apparently, the uncoordinated flight with the ball out of center > is interpreted by the autopilot as a wings-not-level condition > that should be corrected. > > The sequence of events happened on a recent trip > when I turned around to fetch something from the > baggage area and inadvertently pushed the left rudder pedal. > > The corrective action: Disengage the autopilot, use the rudder to > center the > ball, get back on the original, intended heading, and engage the > autopilot again. > > I do not know if the other autopilots by TruTrak exhibit the same > behavior. > My guess is that this may well be the case. > > On another note: I put a blog together that contains articles written > over the > years about various trips west. If you want to see the articles, go to > > http://passionforflight.blogspot.com > > The material may be useful if you are planning a trip west. > > Happy flying, > > Klaus > > * > > > * -- Terry Phillips ttp44~at~rkymtn.net Corvallis MT ZU-601XL/Jab 3300 s .. l .. o .. o .. w build kit - Tail& flaps are done; Upgrading wings& ailerons per AMD Safety Directive http://www.mykitlog.com/N47TP/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message zenith-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Zenith-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/zenith-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/zenith-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.