How to use the HSI

[xracer]

i've been messing a little with the HSI in BS and i thought that it should be possible to set a different heading than the one i was currently on and then activate the heading autopilot so that the heli turned to that heading and stayed there? Isnt that one of the functions in a real HSI? Also whats the point with the manual switch for adjusting the heading bug and course bug when u always have to stear the heli to those settings manually? Anyone who knows how this heli can be turn sutomatically without allways using the waypoint/PVI-800. Is the HSI functions in BS different from let say the HSI in FSX?

[Frederf]

The HSI heading bug and track arrow can be set manually when the HSI auto/man switch is in the manual position.

 

The HSI however is an instrument showing information, not a source of data for the autopilot. It's not possible to turn a knob by the HSI and have the autopilot be driven from this setting, for example. FSX's aircraft's autopilots and HSIs (differing from the Ka-50) are tied together because that is the primary and most sophisticated navigation instrument available for navigation. In the Ka-50 the PRT-800 is primary and so that is what the autopilot is driven from.

 

There are a number of reasons why you'd want to use the HSI in manual mode, aligning with an ILS approach by turning the track arrow or setting a reminder heading bug.

[JaBoG32_Prinzartus]

This might help people who are totally new to HSI.

http://wantscheck.com/UPTPrep/CourseInterceptTAid/tabid/380/Default.aspx

Edited May 30, 2010 by JaBoG32_Prinzartus

[xracer]

The HSI heading bug and track arrow can be set manually when the HSI auto/man switch is in the manual position.

 

" FSX's aircraft's autopilots and HSIs (differing from the Ka-50) are tied together because that is the primary and most sophisticated navigation instrument available for navigation."

 

Ok so the reason why a primary version isn't in BS is that it wasn't avaiable at the time the BS heli was designed? This FSX version could be of good use in BS too or??

[Frederf]

It was certainly possible when the Ka-50 was designed, just decided against apparently. It's also a question of overall navigation system architecture. The HSI unit in the Ka-50's panel is surely some standard type unit used in other aircraft with the possibility of a heading bug-out data source.

 

The PRK-800 is already such a complex array of possible heading hold value sources for steerpoint direction that adding a whole branch separate could be problematic. Belief that the PNK-800 was all the pilot would or should use for normal, planned flight navigation encouraged actively inhibiting alternatives. The 3 to 4 AP channels along with the physical trim and hold pairing supposedly working in concert might play bad music if the heading hold was allowed to be as independent as getting its value from the HSI manual knob. There would also be the possibility of having an active PVI-800 point shown and automated flight in an entirely different direction.

 

In all, Kamov wanted a passive display for the PNK-800's steering information and found it in an off-the-shelf instrument, slightly perverting its use. The fact that the HSI can be switched to manual for knob adjustment is just a bonus that allows some extra functionality and prevents knobs on the instrument face without any use which is quite the faux pas.

 

The only possible change that could be done is for the DH/DT switch's middle position (which I have doubts even exists in the real aircraft) to source from the HSI. But likely Kamov wanted to avoid this gray zone between fully INU-directed flight handled by a complete package and the very simple, direct "what you see is what you get"assisted flight mode.

[xracer]

Ok i see, but infact am not sure if i know how to use the autopilot systems correctly. The point is that its annoying that i cant fly a certain direction without having to put in LAT and LONG and use route mode. I mean in a real war situation and i was going out on a mission, it could very well be that i had to do an alternative route and choose it just by looking at the elevation on the maps and find a way better for cover to get to the enemy. If i leave the heading autopilot off the heli is wandering back and forth cant even get it a stable direction finetuning the trimmer. I know that if i increase or decrease the collective it wil impact the heading but its very difficult anyway to go in a straight line.

[Avilator]

The point is that its annoying that i cant fly a certain direction without having to put in LAT and LONG and use route mode.

You actually CAN do this. If you make sure no waypoint is active, then engage route mode, it will hold current flight parameters. Just turn to a heading, trim, and engage route mode, and it will fly along just like it was going to a waypoint.

[xracer]

You actually CAN do this. If you make sure no waypoint is active, then engage route mode, it will hold current flight parameters. Just turn to a heading, trim, and engage route mode, and it will fly along just like it was going to a waypoint.

 

Damn does that work? Are u sure it wont fade slowly out of its heading? Ok gotta try it out tonight! Thanks Avilator!

[Frederf]

It's called "Route without task" in the flight manual. It's basically the normal route mode to a waypoint but the steerpoint is just whatever the last trimmed heading was.

[Avilator]

Thanks Avilator!

No problem!