12
In the
CRS
mode the
L-R
switch allows the pilot to adjust the commanded course by one
degree increments either right or left of its current value. Again, “bumping" this switch will
cause the commanded course to change by one degree, while holding the switch in
either off-center position results in a two degree per second change until released. The
distance right or left of the
DTK
is preserved as the
XTK
data, although, since we are in
the
CRS
mode, it will not affect the autopilot tracking. The
CRS
mode is exited by
pressing the mode button until the desired mode (
INT, TRK
) is selected. Note that if the
XTK
error is inside the intercept boundary line, the autopilot will sequence directly from
CRS
to
TRK
(bypassing the
INT
mode) when the mode button is momentarily pressed.
The
PCS
(Pilot Command Steering) mode provides an alternate mode of entry to the
CRS
mode and is described in paragraph 5.6.
3.2.11 INT (Intercept) Mode
The
INT
mode is designed to bring the aircraft back onto the desired track after a vector
navigation operation. It is activated by pressing the
MODE
switch (to sequence from the
TRK
or the
CRS
mode) until the
INT
LED is illuminated.
It is important to note again, the
INT
mode cannot be entered if the
XTK
error is less than
the computed distance from the desired track line.
This variable distance is computed as
a function of the turn rate and groundspeed
. The automatic switch from the
INT
to
TRK
mode occurs at this distance.
If the
XTK
is greater than the computed distance then the
INT
mode can be entered. See paragraph 5.5 for a detailed description of this feature.
The
INT
mode automatically establishes an approximate 25 degree intercept angle
(default setting) toward
DTK
. The commanded intercept course can be adjusted in the
same manner as in the
CRS
mode using the
L-R
switch or the
PCS
mode. The
INT
mode is automatically cancelled and the
TRK
mode is entered when the aircraft crosses
the intercept boundary line
.
NOTE
: If
SERVO POWER
is turned on (cycled) while in the
INT
mode, the current track over the ground is
automatically entered as the commanded intercept angle.
3.2.12 TOP (Track Offset Position)
With the advent of highly accurate GPS navigation and coupled autopilots, aircraft are
tracking more and more closely to the airway centerlines on designated airways (the EZ
Pilot can easily hold the course centerline within 50 to 100 feet in smooth air). This
creates the real possibility of overtaking or head-on encounters with other aircraft that are
also tracking the airway centerline, especially during climb and descent when normal
altitude separation is not in effect.
To help avoid such encounters, the EZ Pilot incorporates a feature heretofore found only
in high end Flight Management Systems –
Track Offset Position (TOP).
Track Offset Position
allows the pilot to fly a groundtrack which is offset by up to one
mile from the centerline between the waypoints (desired track, or
DTK
). To enable this
feature, do the following:
In the
TRK
mode (only) Move the
L-R
switch to the left or right to select the offset
distance to track, either to the left or the right of the
DTK
centerline. The arrow indicator
denotes the direction of the offset and the numeric field indicates the offset selected
(measured in miles and tenths of a mile). Changes to the offset may be made in 1/10
th
mile increments.
