Unexpected GFC500 Autopilot pitch up (or pilot error???) during an approach.

[Fly_M20R]

I had an unexpected pitch up command by my GFC500 autopilot as I was about to cross the intermediate fix to an RNAV approach. Was it an autopilot or a pilot error? Watch the flight and slow motion replay for the answer. Corrected unexpected pitch up and completed approach landing in strong gusty winds.

 

 

 

[cbarry]

This is where my panel’s TOGA button was placed—maybe a little less likely to bump inadvertently, but also not as accessible.

[Rick Junkin]

Scotty at Precision Avionics Specialists recommended putting the TOGA button on the yoke in place of the KAP150 CWS button that my GFC500 can’t use. Wow, that’s a lot of model numbers and acronyms in one sentence.

At any rate, I thought it was genius - my thumb will be poised to hit the A/P disconnect button if I break out at minimums and the TOGA button if I don’t.

Cheers,
Rick

[dzeleski]

I’ve got mine in a similar spot right below my GMC-507. It’s in a position where I can go full throttle and tap the button in an single motion but also not in a spot that’s easily hit on accident.

That being said the command bars rising to 7.5 degrees should always be a trigger for GA being initiated.

[Fly_M20R]

19 hours ago, cbarry said:

This is where my panel’s TOGA button was placed—maybe a little less likely to bump inadvertently, but also not as accessible.

Tradeoffs.....

What does the A/P Mode button do on the right horn of the yoke?

Chris

[Fly_M20R]

16 hours ago, Rick Junkin said:

Scotty at Precision Avionics Specialists recommended putting the TOGA button on the yoke in place of the KAP150 CWS button that my GFC500 can’t use. Wow, that’s a lot of model numbers and acronyms in one sentence.

At any rate, I thought it was genius - my thumb will be poised to hit the A/P disconnect button if I break out at minimums and the TOGA button if I don’t.

Cheers,
Rick

Interesting location. I believe the STC says it should be close to the throttle though. I have not read it myself so I am just quoting someone else. 

I used my CWS button as the button to activate voice commands on the GTN750 Xi. 

Regards,

Chris

[Rick Junkin]

1 hour ago, Fly_M20R said:

I believe the STC says it should be close to the throttle though.

Here's what the installation manual has to say about the Go Around switch. 

It would appear a bit difficult to meet both of those unless the switch was actually on the throttle, but I have a HOTAS bias from a previous life.

Cheers,
Rick

[cbarry]

8 hours ago, Fly_M20R said:

Tradeoffs.....

What does the A/P Mode button do on the right horn of the yoke?

Chris

The autopilot mode  label is from when I had the Stec 30  (then the button would switch modes in place of  the control switch on the AP itself).  That’s just a hole plug/cover…I need to replace the horn cover with one that just has the ident label.

[Fly_M20R]

20 hours ago, cbarry said:

The autopilot mode  label is from when I had the Stec 30  (then the button would switch modes in place of  the control switch on the AP itself).  That’s just a hole plug/cover…I need to replace the horn cover with one that just has the ident label.

Ahhh… Thank you.