ComNav 1101 - Optional Equipment and Interfaces

ComNav 1101 Autopilot3 - 8 SYSTEM OVERVIEW
This subsection describes optional equipment that may be
configured into the Autopilot System. These are Auxiliar y Station
Control Heads, Remote Controls, Jog Switches, Remote Control
Expanders, Heading Rate Stabilizers and Rudder Angle Indicators (RAI).
Optional Equipment
Heading Rate Stabilizer
Perhaps the single greatest factor affecting Autopilot performance is
the quality of the compass heading information it receives.
Compass error due to pitch and roll, high turn rates and high
speed turns are common to both fluxgate and magnetic compasses.
Northerly turning error is another phenomenon that affects both
types of compasses, particularily at higher latitudes, due to an
increase in the earths vertical magnetic field component.
The sideways acceleration of a vessel in a high speed turn will also
affect the accuracy of compasses.
ComNavs Heading Rate Stabilizer minimizes the effect of these
factors.
The Heading Rate Stabilizer measures the horizontal
component of the rate of change in the vessels heading and
adjusts the compass reading to minimize the effects of pitch and
roll, fast turn rates and northerly turning error.
The heading output provided to the Autopilot is dramatically
improved in terms of dynamic responsiveness and stability,
enabling the Autopilot to perform more accurately and efficiently.
The ComNav Heading Rate Stabilizer is designed to work with
ComNavs Fluxgate Compass (Part # 92142).
Heading Rate Stabilizer
Part # 83434