Controls
Controls for the autopilot appear in three places in the cockpit:
• On the
front of the autopilot
bezel itself is a L/R TURN knob used to manually
command turns while the autopilot is in stabilization mode. Pressing on this
knob also cycles the autopilot through its four modes of operation, discussed
below.
• The
left seat control yoke
has been modified to include an AP MODE SEL
switch, which performs the exact same function as the mode select button on
the autopilot bezel, and a red AP DISC switch which will immediately
disconnect the autopilot. The push-to-talk switch for the radios has been moved
to the left side of the yoke.
• On the
instrument panel where the old autopilot was located
(beneath the
oil pressure and temperature gauges) are two switches. AP MASTER is the
power switch for the autopilot. Next to it is an AP NAV SELECT switch which
controls which navigation radio is to be used for the course tracking modes.
This functions similarly to the DME SELECT switch on the panel, indicating
whether the top (NAV 1) or bottom (NAV 2) radios and CDIs are to be used.
Pilots should remember to turn the AP MASTER switch ON as a part of
normal engine start when the autopilot is to be used, and also to turn it OFF
before shutting down the engine. Pilots should add this step to the shutdown
checklist immediately before turning the avionics master switch off.
Engaging the Autopilot
After power-on via the AP MASTER switch (and executing the power-up tests as
recommended), the green RDY light should be illuminated. To engage the autopilot in any of
its flight modes, press either the AP MODE SEL switch on the yoke, or the L/R TURN knob
(also labeled PUSH MODE) on the autopilot bezel. Pressing AP MODE SEL sequences the
autopilot through its four operational modes.
If use of the autopilot during a flight is not anticipated, it is recommended that the autopilot
remain powered off (AP MASTER switch left in the OFF position).
Modes of Operation
The S-TEC System Twenty autopilot has four modes of operation. The active mode is
displayed on the face of the autopilot by a yellow lamp. When the autopilot is disengaged
(not in control of the roll axis), all these lamps will be off, and only the green RDY lamp will
remain lit.
N6004H S-TEC Autopilot Reference
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cvk
1/29/13
