Autopilot Servo Installation, Configuration, and Calibration
10-28 SkyView System Installation Guide - Revision K
After sensitivity is adjusted as well as it can be, PITCH GAIN, ALTITUDE GAIN, PULL
RATE, VSI GAIN, G ERROR GAIN, and G ERROR LIMIT may be adjusted to further
improve autopilot pitch axis performance. These should be adjusted in the above
order. G ERROR GAIN and G ERROR LIMIT adjustments affect the most noticeable
changes while the aircraft is in turbulence. Each of these settings’ effects are
explained in the Advanced Pitch Gain and Rate Adjustments section above, and in
the individual settings menus themselves.
Verify airspeed minimum and maximum values and default climb and descent vertical
speeds during altitude changes
During an autopilot-controlled climb, verify that the time to complete the climb matches your
expectations given the setting for the default climb vertical speed. If it does not, the climb rate
may be limited by the minimum airspeed parameter, and the ADD POWER message will be
displayed.
Likewise, during an autopilot-controlled descent, verify that the time to complete the descent
matches your expectations given the setting for the default descent vertical speed. If it does
not, the descent rate may be limited by the maximum airspeed parameter, and the DECREASE
POWER message is displayed.
If necessary, adjust the default climb vertical speed, the default descent vertical speed,
maximum airspeed, and minimum airspeed as described above.
At this point, all the parameters in the Pitch Axis Menu should be appropriately tuned.
Execute several autopilot-controlled changes of altitude and observe the overall aircraft
performance
There may be some interaction between pitch servo torque and sensitivity settings and it may
be necessary to repeat the above steps to achieve acceptably smooth overall autopilot
response during altitude holds and changes.
Observe and verify trim indications during altitude holds and changes
Find an area with a lot of clearance above and below the aircraft’s altitude and disengage the
autopilot. Then follow this procedure:
1. Put the aircraft into neutral trim.
2. Engage the autopilot in ALT mode (and HDG or TRK mode if desired) and allow the
autopilot to maintain altitude (and heading, if engaged).
3. Trim the aircraft nose down. The autopilot will maintain the target altitude, despite the
nose down trim. Continue trimming nose down just until you see a trim up indicator on
the Top Bar (i.e., alternating with ). This indicator displays when the AP
senses too much nose down trim.
4. Trim the aircraft nose up until the indicator disappears.
5. Disengage the AP to observe the state of the aircraft’s trim.
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