<<My thoughts on the Autopilot .......it seems to offer a bucket load more
features than the Trutrak or Navaids >>
I think that one of the benefits of Trutrak's Digitrak is its beguiling
simplicity (its a sophisticated bit of kit that is very easy and intuitive
to use) and I'm not convinced that all the additional features of the Trio
are actually needed. But then I've no experience of the latter and can never
remember easily how to programme a VCR, although I admit that the Trio has
more of a draw in marketing terms.
As regards the Navaid, it's first-generation and now looks dated alongside
the Digitrak; the dynamics in particular (e.g. in turbulence) bear no
comparison.
As regards <<should interface to almost any GPS >>, I've found that they
don't.
Whilst most GPS sets have NMEA output, the NMEA protocol allows data
elements to be omitted (so long as the separation commas in the data
sentence are left in place). This often means that all the data needed by
the autopilot is not present and the thing won't work. I've found that early
versions of the Garmin GPS Pilot III and many non-aviation handhelds have
this problem. Garmin's older 195 (a larger version of the Pilot III) works
OK as do Skymaps. Otherwise its best to get a written assurance from the AP
manufacturer that their product will work with "x" brand of GPS; unless you
like the challenge of endless snagging.
Another "con" is the update frequency. Whilst many GPS sets update
internally at 1 second intervals, the data output is more often at 3 second
intervals, which can be a bit slow for effective AP operation in some
circumstances, especially around waypoint turns.
Duncan McF.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Rees" <peter.rees05@ntlworld.com>
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Autopilots
<peter.rees05@ntlworld.com>
>
> Ni Nigel
>
> As far as your EFIS is concerned, I've had an E-mail from Andrew Moore
(PFA
> Chief Engineer) on the subject as I intend to fit a Dynon (wish I'd seen
the
> Blue Mountain EFIS Lite earlier!) - you don't need to go through the mod
> process to fit one but as it (if its the same as the dynon) requires you
do
> cut into the Static and Pitot lines, you do need to make a log book entry
> and have your inspector sign it off.
>
> My thoughts on the Autopilot (I'm going to fit the EZ Pilot as it seems to
> offer a bucket load more features than the Trutrak or Navaids for very
> little more money). The Europa club has been though the mod process with
the
> navaids one - you can fit that under sign off of your inspector (as long
as
> you follow the europa clubs documentation) - if you want to fit something
> else, you need to file a mod application to the PFA and wait in the (very
> long) queue. Other than the upgrade plan, is there any real advantage to
the
> Truetrak over the Navaids one? If you've not looked at the EZ pilot, give
it
> a quick look - it should interface to almost any GPS and the guys there
seem
> to be very friendly and exceedingly helpful - it has loads of nice
features
> but costs almost exactly the same as the Truetrak.
>
> Thats my thoughts anyway - if you find anything is incorrect, it would
help
> for you to put me straight.
>
> Peter
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Nigel Harrison" <naharrison@manx.net>
> To: <europa-list@matronics.com>
> Subject: Europa-List: Autopilots
>
>
<naharrison@manx.net>
> >
> >
> > Dear All,
> > Like Alan Burrows I am aiming to put an autopilot into my Europa. I have
> > chosen the Trutrak Digitrak because it interfaces with the Grand Rapids
> > Horizon 1 EFIS that I plan to install. Can anyone tell me whether I need
> > to
> > to get authorisation from the PFA to install the Trutrak or is it
already
> > an
> > accepted modification? Likewise the EFIS - does this require PFA
approval?
> > Happy New Year to all.
> > Nigel Harrison
> >
> >
> > ****************************************************************
> > This email has been scanned by the Manxnet Mail Plus anti-virus system.
> > http://www.manx.net/default.asp?id=25
> > ****************************************************************
> >
> >
> >
>
>
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