Hi all
The KFC 200 autopilot in my M20K has developed a very nasty habit. While in the cruise, once in a while it commands and maintains a very large and sudden up-trim. I now am on top of it but the first couple of times it happened I was in hard IMC, turbulence, and I wasn't quick enough to prevent the situation getting out of hand, 1000 ft off alt and the controller asking me if I needed assistance (not sure what he was going to offer to do except take my license away). Fortunately I was high and in a lonely place.
Anyway, this happened twice on a flight across the Mediterranean today with my family on board and it needs to get fixed.
Anyone had a similar experience?
Disengaging the autopilot, controlling the attitude and altitude by hand and re-engaging seems to fix the problem, until the next time it happens. It seems to happen more when there is a lot of turbulence, but it has happened in clear still air as well. It has happens straight and level and also in descent, not during climb so far fortunately. The 'alt' light remains lit and the ap remains engaged till I disengage it. Trying to correct the tendency by hand with ap engaged requires huge forces, and isn't a solution.
Ideally I would like to understand and fix the problem rather than rip out the entire system and replace it, so suggestions along those lines would be the most welcome.
Best wishes to all
Jim