Suvv Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 Whilst flying with AutoPilot and on Desired Track although the heli starts on the DT it begins to wander off track after a relatively short period. Is this normal? Is it because it needs an INU fix? It does seem to be after a short period so I'm not sure it is this. Suvv.
miguez Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 Hi Suvv, Were you navigating to the first waypoint in the PVI-800?
Frederf Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 There is no desired track course defined for the first waypoint, at least for the PVI-800. The PVI defines DT as the course between the previous waypoint and the next and since there is no waypoint before the first waypoint, it is not defined. The white outline DT arrow on the HSI shows this. Typically in ED-made missions the first ABRIS waypoint is very near your starting location (also near the APT 1 point in the PVI) and your 2nd ABRIS waypoint is the same as your PVI WPT1. So the ABRIS will show a desired track between the airport and the first PVI waypoint (second ABRIS waypoint), but the ABRIS does not control the autopilot so it would be up to the pilot to manual fly on this course. My other explanation is wind. If there is crosswind and the autopilot is forcing the nose to point a heading directly to the next waypoint, drift off track is enevitable. However I think the AP is smart enough to adjust heading so that the aircraft's course is to the next WP.
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