N2652W will have a new home!

[Greg Ellis]

@hammdo, just more of a curious question.  What is your reasoning or thoughts behind the HSI being the top G5 and the attitude indicator on the bottom?

I have mine in reverse order more like a normal 6 pack would be.  Just curious what your thought is on doing it that way.

Thanks.

[hammdo]

We reversed those — I tested the AP but changed it back…

-Don

[hammdo]

AP practice today! Did some IFR and a coupled VFR approach. IFR used HDG mode until FAF and then did the IFR approach by hand. Pretty solid performance from the AP…

More practice next weekend with my CFI…

-Don

[hammdo]

3 hour flight today, some wind gusts, AP did fairly well, does a slight s-turn laterally in GPSS mode so may need some adjustments, GPS gain or lateral activity. Getting very comfortable with the AP, practiced a lot of heading mode to gpss etc. worked with vectors from ATC, lining up for approaches . Was fun!

Need the shop to check the panel light - those are not coming on for night flying… should be simple fix…

-Don

[hammdo]

More AP testing today, working the GPSS gain setting. A bit windy today so will do a flight tomorrow night again. So far, very pleased with the new setup…

-Don

[hammdo]

Here is the track after adjustment. Flew the RNAV 18 into Mesquite.

-Don

[hammdo]

Night flight last night with CFI, more IFR work with the AeroCruze. Still tweaking things but its getting dialed in - most of the work is GPSS tweaks and helping the s-turns. Those are now barely perceptible…

 

[hammdo]

How it feels:

[47U]

1 minute ago, hammdo said:

How it feels:

C’mon, Don… you’re not wavering now, are you? 

Keep the faith!

[hammdo]

Nope ;o)

[hammdo]

Once things settle down and I get funds saved up again, Tank reseal is on the menu…

-Don

[hammdo]

Longer x-country to East Texas (where Maxwell’s resides). SID and RNAV 36…

 

[hammdo]

Return flight with STAR and RNAV 18 

 

[hammdo]

Initial AP test flight RNAV 36 with course reversal after testing HDG and track modes:

 

[McMooney]

Question, does the gpss setting in the g5's work when the autopilot is in heading mode ?

 

[hammdo]

When in G5 (heading/alt mode), the G5 controls heading and altitude. The GNC 355 does not affect heading/track (GPSS is not active). There are no indications on the G5 that an autopilot is active. Now, if you have an active flight plan in the GNC 355, it shows up on the G5 but does not forward that to the autopilot. So the ‘magenta line’ shows on the G5 but not to the autopilot.

So, G5 heading and altitude bugs will affect the AeroCruze when in External (G5 heading/altitude) mode and is only indicated on the AeroCruze screen. When in GPSS mode, GNC 355 will send the track info to the AeroCruze.

You also have a totally independent track and altitude mode with the AeroCruze too…

-Don

[hammdo]

Went to KDUA to visit gwav8or (Grant). Dropped off part, went to lunch at The Roadhouse (local place). It is fantastic! Went to look at the ‘cancer’ F, plane looks amazing, never would guess it has corrosion. 

Did more AP testing, RNAV 17 to KDUA, then STAR back to HQZ. Still making minor tweaks but I’m being picky. Getting spoiled…

Pics:

 

[hammdo]

Waiting for a calm wind day (as much as we get here in Texas) to test setting changes. I’m now at 21 for GPSS gain and 15 for lateral activity (defaults are 16 and 14). Due to speed mods, etc., working to fine tune things. Ever so slightly s-turns in GPSS mode, does fine in Track and G5 mode. I’m also managing fuel balance to help the autopilot.

With the GNC355 driving GPSS, just tweak slightly and retest after each previous flight. Very easy to do…

-Don 

[hammdo]

Gear indicator light on the unlock went out so replaced both with aerolights led:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GH2NWV9

Pretty easy to replace. Touched up the co-pilots carpet for the velcro. Flight test tomorrow for the AP adjustments…

 

[hammdo]

Autopilot is pretty much dialed in. One more calm day to verify and that should be it, 2 hour flight today with an approach, HILP. Very bumpy on the approach but did well enough. 

So far learning the AeroCruze has been straight forward and GPSS, HDG, ALT HOLD, and Approach mode is pretty nice…

-Don

[hammdo]

Track Log flying the SID and the approach:

[hammdo]

After the last adjustments, AeroCruze is pretty much dialed in. Did simulated IFR with my CFII, ton of AP practice with approaches, Misses, and procedure turns, did excellent. Very pleased and I also tested the ‘Go Around’ mode too on the miss!

Very capable autopilot for sure…

-Don

[hammdo]

Changed oil today, switching to Phillips Victory with 10% Phillips Anti-Rust. Filter looked great, 2 magnetic flakes and 4 non-magnetic flakes this time. 22 hours since last oil change so still  improving. Sample sent to Blackstone so we’ll see how this sample does. Turn Coordinator not making noise (flag shows power) so I’ll pull that and send to Rudy’s for Overhaul.

Overall, she’s doing very well and I’m liking that autopilot!

-Don