Autopilot Flashcards
What types of autopilot can the DA42 be equipped with?
Bendix-King KAP 140 or Garmin GFC 700.
What is the function of the KAP 140 autopilot?
To fly wings level, fly a specified heading, or fly a navigational course at a specified altitude or selected vertical rate.
What occurs when the avionics master switch is turned on for the KAP 140?
The autopilot begins a self-test sequence.
What alerts may appear during the KAP 140 self-test?
G1000 CAS alerts.
What indicates a successful self-test of the KAP 140?
An alert tone is heard and the BARO setting flashes.
What should be ensured whenever changing the G1000 and standby altimeter barometric pressure settings?
KAP 140 barometric pressure is set correctly.
What is the default lateral mode of the KAP 140?
ROL - holds the wings level.
What does the HDG mode do in the KAP 140?
Flies heading set with the heading bug.
What is the purpose of the NAV mode in the KAP 140?
GPS, VOR, or LOC navigational course tracking.
What does the APR mode do in the KAP 140?
Intercepts and tracks a glide slope.
What is the default vertical mode of the KAP 140?
VS - maintains the current vertical speed.
What does the ALT mode do in the KAP 140?
Holds the current altitude.
What mode in the KAP 140 flies a descent based on a glide slope?
GS.
What is the function of the NAV ARM mode in the KAP 140?
Maintains the current heading or ROL mode until the navigation course is captured.
What does the ALT ARM mode do in the KAP 140?
Captures the specified altitude using the current vertical speed.
What is the function of the GS ARM mode in the KAP 140?
Maintains the current altitude until the glide slope is intercepted from below.
What provides roll information to the KAP 140?
A dedicated electric turn coordinator.
What inputs navigational course data to the KAP 140?
GIA 63.
How is altitude/vertical speed sensing provided in the KAP 140?
Through static ports and built-in rate sensors.
How do you engage the KAP 140 autopilot?
Press and hold the AP button for 0.25 seconds.
What actions can disengage the KAP 140 autopilot?
- Pressing the AP button
- Pressing the red A/P DISC button
- Pressing the electric trim switch
- Pulling the A/P circuit breaker
- Turning off Avionics switch
- Turning off the Master switch.
What is a limitation regarding engine power for the KAP 140?
Disengage if either engine power is set above 80%.
When should the KAP 140 be disengaged during operations?
- Single-engine operations
- Takeoff and landing.
What is the maximum speed for KAP 140 operations?
180 KIAS.
What is the minimum speed for KAP 140 operations?
90 KIAS.
What altitude select captures are prohibited with the KAP 140?
Below 800 feet.
What is the minimum altitude to disengage the autopilot during approach at 130 KIAS or less?
Below 200 feet.
True or False: A pilot must be seated in the left seat to operate the KAP 140.
True.
What must be functioning for the KAP 140 to operate correctly?
The audio panel (aural alerts).
What should be done if airframe ice accumulates behind protected surfaces?
Disengage the autopilot.
What happens when GIA63 #2 (Com/Nav/GPS) is inoperative?
Only ROL mode will be available.
What is the GFC 700?
A 3-axis flight director and autopilot that controls pitch, roll, and yaw
The GFC 700 is specifically designed for aircraft control.
What happens to V-Speeds when the GFC 700 is installed in the DA42 TwinStar?
Many of the V-Speeds change
This indicates that the autopilot system impacts the operational parameters of the aircraft.
List the modes of autopilot/flight director operation provided by the GFC 700.
- AP - Autopilot engage/disengage
- FD - Flight director on/off
- HDG - Heading mode on/off
- NAV - Navigation mode on/off
- APR - Approach mode on/off
- ALT - Altitude hold mode on/off
- VS - Vertical Speed mode on/off
- FLC - Flight level change mode on/off
- NOSE UP/DN - Vertical mode reference mode change
- YD - Yaw damper on/off
Each mode has a specific function for controlling the aircraft.
What inputs does the GFC 700 use for control?
Pitch, roll, yaw, altitude, airspeed, vertical speed, heading, and navigation inputs
These inputs are crucial for the autopilot’s operation.
What component provides the autopilot and flight director modes display?
The PFD
PFD stands for Primary Flight Display.
What provides aural alerts in the GFC 700 system?
Audio panel
Aural alerts are important for pilot awareness.
Where are the autopilot and flight director button controls located?
On the MFD
MFD stands for Multi-Function Display.
What type of switch is mounted on the control stick for manual control?
Manual electric trim switch
This switch allows for manual adjustments to the aircraft’s trim.
True or False: The GFC 700 includes a go-around switch.
True
The go-around switch is essential for executing go-arounds during landing.
Fill in the blank: The __________ preselect knob is found on both the PFD and MFD.
ALT
The ALT knob is used for altitude preselection.
Fill in the blank: The __________ preselect knob is used for heading adjustments.
HDG
The HDG knob allows pilots to set a desired heading.
What can the flight director do independently from the autopilot?
Displays command bars on the PFD that indicate the desired pitch and roll inputs
What does the AP button do?
Engages/disengages the autopilot, yaw damper, and flight director in roll and pitch hold or in the lateral and vertical modes previously selected with the flight director
What is the function of the YD button?
Engages/disengages the yaw damper independently of the autopilot
What does the FD button do?
Turns on flight director only in roll hold and pitch hold, or turns the flight director off
What happens when the CWS button is pressed?
Turns flight director on in roll hold and pitch hold, also momentarily disengages AP (if engaged)
What does the GA button do on the ground?
Sets lateral and vertical mode to takeoff (TO)
What does the GA button do while airborne?
Sets lateral and vertical mode to go-around (GA)
What does the ALT mode do?
Roll hold and altitude hold
What does the VS mode do?
Roll hold and vertical speed (rate set with NOSE UP/DN)
What is the purpose of the VNV mode?
Roll hold and vertical path tracking
What does the NAV mode do?
Navigation tracking (GPS, VOR, LOC, LOC BC)
What is the APR mode used for?
Approach lateral tracking and pitch hold
Under what condition does the APR mode provide lateral and vertical tracking?
If vertical navigation input is available
What does the HDG mode do?
Flies or turns to selected heading with pitch hold
How can the autopilot be disengaged?
Press red A/P DISC button on pilot’s or copilot’s stick
What is prohibited when using the yaw damper?
Use of the yaw damper with the autopilot disengaged
What is the minimum altitude for engaging AP on departure?
200 feet AGL
What is the maximum speed with AP engaged?
180 KIAS
What is the minimum speed with AP engaged?
90 KIAS
What is prohibited regarding altitude select captures?
Altitude select captures below 1200 feet AGL
What must be done with CDI mode for autopilot-coupled instrument approaches?
Must be set to manual
When must the AP be disengaged during approach?
Below 200 feet AGL
When must the AP be disengaged during departure?
Below 200 feet AGL
When must the AP be disengaged for all other phases of flight?
Below 800 feet AGL
What is the restriction during single-engine operations regarding AP?
AP must be disengaged
What must not be reset after an autopilot or trim malfunction?
Until the cause has been determined and corrected
What must be on board according to the GFC 700 Limitations?
Garmin G1000 Cockpit Reference Guide for DA42
True or False: Physically overriding autopilot to change pitch or roll is prohibited.
True
Fill in the blank: Successful pre-flight test before use of FD, AP, YD or manual electric trim in _______.
[flight]
