Revised 06/02/2019
Page 6
In one case, the voltage declined over time, and on closer look I discovered the alternator wasn’t charging. It
turns out the circuit breaker on the bottom labeled “gen” had popped. Because the row of breakers on the
bottom is not visible, and because there are two sizes of breakers there, it is not easy to tell when one has
tripped. It was only by pushing in on the right breaker that I discovered it was popped. Once reset, it continued
to pop when I had all the lights on. (I concluded the battery was low enough by then that it’s draw for re-charge
plus the draw of the lights was too much). I turned off the landing lights and flew for a while and the alternator
charged the battery enough to solve the problem.
In a second case, the master breaker on the far left on the bottom popped. This was reset and no further
problems were observed.
If you’re having power issues check the breakers on that bottom row, pressing each in, paying particular
attention to the master and gen breakers.
Autopilot
Here’s a simple and easy way to get up to speed using the autopilot. First, make sure you remembered to turn
the turn and slip coordinator on with the green switch labeled “Turn and Bank.” This is the switch between the
right landing light and the strobe lights. Second, move the test switch to the right of the autopilot to the test
position. Leave things like that until you are off the ground. When ready to put it to use, move the test switch
to the “ON” position (center). You’ll see the green “RDY” light on the autopilot display. Press the “on/off”
button on the autopilot. The STB indicator illuminates. The autopilot is now in wing leveler mode. You may use
the rotary switch to engage a left or right bank, and then center it again to level the wings.
To switch to heading mode, move the heading bug in the DG to the desired course, then press the rotary switch
like a button once. You should see the STB light go off and the HDG light illuminate. The A/P now has control of
the ailerons and will follow the heading bug.
To engage altitude hold, pressing the “alt” button when at the desired altitude. This one is a little squishy and
sometimes non responsive. If I don’t get lights when I press it, I pull out on the button a bit and try again, gently.
The ALT indicator will illuminate. If you engage alt hold when climbing or descending through the desired
altitude, the plane will seem to search a bit before zeroing in on your desired altitude.
Disengaging the A/P can be accomplished by pressing the ON/OFF button and confirming all indicator lights are
off and only the green RDY light is on, flipping the test switch to the right to “off”, and/or pulling the autopilot
breaker. There are times I have put it back into STB instead of turning it off, and then felt it working against me
as I tried to steer. Turning it off solves that.
Baggage Compartment, Supplies
The baggage compartment lock can be opened by pressing in on the door with your free hand while turning the
key. I find pressing inward on the door with my left thumb to the left of the lock while turning the key with my
right hand works well. When locking the door, a slight pressure leftward on the key while turning seems to help.
