190-00820-11 Rev. A
Pilot’s Guide for the Cirrus SR2x with Cirrus Perspective by Garmin
511
AUTOMATIC FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM
SY
STEM
O
VER
VIEW
FLIGHT
INSTRUMENTS
EIS
AUDIO P
ANEL
& CNS
FLIGHT
MANA
GEMENT
HAZARD
AV
OID
ANCE
AFCS
ADDITIONAL
FEA
TURES
APPENDICES
INDEX
When a descent leg is captured (i.e., vertical deviation becomes valid), Vertical Path Tracking becomes
active and tracks the descent profile (Figure 7-12). An altitude capture mode (‘ALTS’ or ‘ALTV’) is armed
as appropriate.
Figure 7-12 Vertical Path Tracking Mode
Selected Altitude
Capture Armed
Vertical Path
Tracking Active
Terminal
Phase of
Flight
GPS is
Selected
Navigation
Source
Command Bars Indicate Descent to
Maintain Required Vertical Speed
Required
Vertical
Speed
Indication
Vertical Deviation
Indicator (VDI)
VNV Target
Altitude
If the altimeter barometric setting is adjusted while Vertical Path Tracking is active, the flight director
increases/decreases the descent rate by up to 500 fpm to re-establish the aircraft on the descent path
(without commanding a climb). Adjusting the altimeter barometric setting creates discontinuities in VNV
vertical deviation, moving the descent path. For large adjustments, it may take several minutes for the
AFCS to re-establish on the descent path. If the change is made while nearing a waypoint with a VNV
Target Altitude, the aircraft may not re-establish on the descent path in time to meet the vertical constraint.
Automatic Reversion to Pitch Hold Mode
Several situations can occur while Vertical Path Tracking Mode is active which cause the flight director
to revert to Pitch Hold Mode:
• Vertical deviation exceeds 200 feet during an overspeed condition.
• Vertical deviation experiences a discontinuity that both exceeds 200 feet in magnitude and results in
the vertical deviation exceeding 200 feet in magnitude. Such discontinuities are usually caused by
flight plan changes that affect the vertical profile.
• Vertical deviation becomes invalid (the Vertical Deviation Indicator is removed from the PFD).
• A display enters Reversionary Mode (this does not apply to an active vertical direct-to).
Unless VNV is disabled, Vertical Path Tracking Mode and the appropriate altitude capture mode become
armed following the reversion to Pitch Hold Mode to allow for possible profile recapture.
