A quick review of transitions from heading to nav on the STEC 3100, driven by the Avidyne AFD550 through an Aspen Max. The behavior changes when in approach mode and is also different for enroute vs final approach course lines.
Just got my 310 back from install of 3100 and GTN 750. My 3100 did the same intercepting course home. Thought I had done something wrong to cause it go from a 20 degree intercept to a a 45 degree intercept. Thanks for demonstrating this, it was extremely helpful to me. I mentioned this to a friend who has a Century AP and he said he had to push Nav twice to intercept on his selected heading. I was going to experiment with this next time I fly and the contact Stec concerting this. I will call them tomorrow to see what’s up. It is months since you posted this. You would think something would be done by Stec by now.
I hear stories, but can't share insider info. I think the virus has scrambled things a bit, but they do know about this issue. Remember that this autopilot is capable of getting software updates...
Thanks Kieth. Watched all of the 3100 videos several times. Helped make my decision to install one in my Bonanza. Test flight is coming Tuesday. Thanks again for the insight. Looking forward to seeing how it performs in my Bo.
Mine does the same; I have a dual G480 (Old CNX80), Apen, and just installed the 3100. It appears to do a marvelous job, except the enroute portion is a bit confusing why it won't do a heading directed intercept. Pushing NAV, my AP drives the aircraft to a 45 intercept right away? Please when you find answers, post them hear.
Heading (HDG) Mode: Turns onto a selected heading and holds it Navigation (NAV) Mode: Intercepts and tracks a VOR course Approach (APR) Mode: Intercepts and tracks a LOC front course or GPS approach inbound
Not yet. It seems clear that arming works on the final approach course, but not enroute. Avidyne's Principle Software Engineer tells me they don't do anything different between those two cases, other than turning on the ILS discrete signal. They speculate that STEC is adjusting behavior based on that signal, but the STEC guys are out of reach during the virus shutdown. I have questions in to them, we'll see what they say.
@@cardinalflyer Thanks... during my testing, I've found that the NAV arming works with VORs and ILS. Basically radio freq. But does not work with GPS tracks. Like you I've had alot of back and forth by email. Waiting for STEC to get back to me. Works really well on all other functions. Thanks again