How to begin trouble shooting my Britain auto pilot

[M20 Ogler]

It’s the kind that has heading, track, capture and loc modes. 
 

I started by trying the heading mode. Set at 090 it’ll track 130. Set at 180 it’ll hold 165. Set at 270 it’ll hold 260. Set at 360 it’ll hunt back and forth between 330 and 030. But sometimes it doesn’t do anything at all lol
 

It also seems like it try to capture and track radials from a VOR but never seems to settle 

The altitude hold if it’s doing anything at all gives me plus and minus 300’ or more 

 

[N201MKTurbo]

The first thing I would do is check your servos (bellows). Remove the hoses and suck on them and see if they will hold a vacuum. If that yucks you out, get one of those hand pumps from the auto parts store.

[Shadrach]

In addition to Rich’s advice, I would immediately have a look at all of the system’s soft vacuum tubing behind the panel. It has a shelf life of 5-7 years. The plastic lines that run throughout the airframe are very robust and least likely to be a problem. Servos do fail on occasion but usually last for a long, long time depending on environment. I have been collecting servos for years in anticipation of mine failing. It has yet too happen. Mine are original equipment and the boots are still supple after 53years. I have retaped a few of the boots over the years. 

[outermarker]

The King KA52 interfaces with the Britain system. The voltage could be set wrong causing the system to hunt for the heading. When was the static system checked? The AR86 if it has the 24 pin connector will be used with the altimeter for altitude hold. This unit could not be reporting because the heater is bad. Do these checks after checking he servos for leaks.

[M20 Ogler]

Static system was checked Friday for 24 months required cert. he said there is a small leak but that it wasn’t bad enough to worry about 

[takair]

Do you have Accutrak, AccuFlite or B6 or some variant.  They work different, so important to know.  Picture of panel will help.  Does PC work?  If so, then that may save you some work.  Altitude hold, probably the last thing to T shoot, but important to understand how old.  The diaphragms are the week line and dry rot.  I have some t shooting for that if you IM me your email.  

[takair]

On 3/26/2023 at 6:17 PM, M20 Ogler said:

It’s the kind that has heading, track, capture and loc modes. 
 

I started by trying the heading mode. Set at 090 it’ll track 130. Set at 180 it’ll hold 165. Set at 270 it’ll hold 260. Set at 360 it’ll hunt back and forth between 330 and 030. But sometimes it doesn’t do anything at all lol
 

It also seems like it try to capture and track radials from a VOR but never seems to settle 

The altitude hold if it’s doing anything at all gives me plus and minus 300’ or more 

 

Kevin Westbrook, who is the most knowledgeable Brittain guy around, has offered his help.  Give him a call at 539-292-0474.

Edit:  Corrected phone number.

Edited April 8, 2023 by takair
Corrected phone number.

[M20 Ogler]

Thanks to Kevin my autopilot is working well now. It tracks a heading almost as well as any modern gps auto pilot I’ve ever used. 

[ChatGPT]

When troubleshooting an autopilot, it's important to follow a systematic approach. Here are some steps you can take to begin troubleshooting your Britain autopilot:

1. Check the autopilot's documentation: Review the manufacturer's manual for the autopilot and ensure that you're following all procedures correctly. Make sure you understand how each mode should operate and how to properly engage and disengage each mode.

2. Inspect the autopilot components: Visually inspect the autopilot components and wiring for any signs of damage, corrosion, or loose connections. Check the servo and control surfaces for proper operation and ensure that they're securely attached.

3. Check the power source: Verify that the autopilot is receiving sufficient power and that the battery is fully charged. Check the alternator and voltage regulator to ensure they're functioning properly.

4. Calibrate the autopilot: If the autopilot has a calibration procedure, follow it to ensure that it's properly calibrated.

5. Troubleshoot each mode individually: Test each mode of the autopilot individually, starting with the most basic mode (heading mode in this case) and working up to more complex modes. Verify that each mode is operating correctly before moving on to the next one.

6. Consult with a professional: If you're unable to troubleshoot the autopilot on your own, consider consulting with a professional avionics technician or the autopilot manufacturer's technical support team. They may be able to provide additional guidance or identify any issues that you may have missed.

Remember to always prioritize safety and follow proper procedures when troubleshooting an autopilot or any other aircraft system.

 

[takair]

16 hours ago, ChatGPT said:

When troubleshooting an autopilot, it's important to follow a systematic approach. Here are some steps you can take to begin troubleshooting your Britain autopilot:

1. Check the autopilot's documentation: Review the manufacturer's manual for the autopilot and ensure that you're following all procedures correctly. Make sure you understand how each mode should operate and how to properly engage and disengage each mode.

2. Inspect the autopilot components: Visually inspect the autopilot components and wiring for any signs of damage, corrosion, or loose connections. Check the servo and control surfaces for proper operation and ensure that they're securely attached.

3. Check the power source: Verify that the autopilot is receiving sufficient power and that the battery is fully charged. Check the alternator and voltage regulator to ensure they're functioning properly.

4. Calibrate the autopilot: If the autopilot has a calibration procedure, follow it to ensure that it's properly calibrated.

5. Troubleshoot each mode individually: Test each mode of the autopilot individually, starting with the most basic mode (heading mode in this case) and working up to more complex modes. Verify that each mode is operating correctly before moving on to the next one.

6. Consult with a professional: If you're unable to troubleshoot the autopilot on your own, consider consulting with a professional avionics technician or the autopilot manufacturer's technical support team. They may be able to provide additional guidance or identify any issues that you may have missed.

Remember to always prioritize safety and follow proper procedures when troubleshooting an autopilot or any other aircraft system.

 

 

That was quite worthless.