So let s apply some autopilot basics to help us better understand what happened before proceeding to my originally intended subject gpss or roll steering autopilots use servos to translate electrical energy into mechanical outputs to fly the airplane.
Roll steering autopilot.
System 50x and 40x.
Affordable gps roll steering for general aviation the gpss interfaces with the composite roll steering commands output by gps navigators to fly a complete pre programmed flight plan hands off.
After several phone calls the aircraft was on its way back to the autopilot shop.
And then with the push of a button the autopilot follows your flight plan turn by turn.
Modes allow you to select this coupling.
If the gps database includes instrument approach procedures the flight plan can also include an approach to the destination airport.
It even anticipates the turn based on your ground speed and distance to the waypoint.
Century s gps roll steering module makes flying with your gps and autopilot easier than ever.
Of course not all autopilots are coupled to all sources.
Since the s tec is a rate sensing ap anyway its well qualified to fly using the rate of turn created by the gps without need for gyro input.
There are roll or lateral or horizontal modes and pitch or vertical modes.
A simple autopilot system is reactive so that turns begin after passing a waypoint with oscillations about the new course until errors damp out which may never happen in strong crosswinds.