Trio EZ Pilot Autopilot
$1,770.00
EZ Pilot is a modern solid-state navigation system designed
to accurately track a GPS flight plan or "Go To" Course that is
entered into a handheld or panel mount GPS Receiver. It also acts as
a basic wing leveler when no GPS is available. The pilot simply enters a flight
plan into the GPS and presses the Servo button. The EZ Pilot then precisely
tracks the flight plan. If the pilot wishes to deviate from the programmed
flight path, the Mode button is pressed to enter the Course mode and track
any bearing selected with the "L-R" switch. The new bearing
will display on the readout and the aircraft will track that bearing. An Intercept
mode (with adjustable intercept angle) is available to steer the plane back
to the original flight path. A remote Servo Disconnect switch provides instant
release of flight controls. Holding the switch down for three seconds
or more enables Pilot Command Steering. This allows the pilot to manually
fly the aircraft to any new heading and, upon releasing the switch, the autopilot
will track that course. A convenient Display switch allows the pilot to read
the Waypoint Designator, Ground Speed, Distance to Waypoint, Time to Waypoint,
Crosstrack error, Track Offset Position and a graphic Turn Coordinator.
Three navigation modes provide maximum flexibility:
1. Track mode (TRK) – used for area navigation tracking a host GPS flight plan (or GOTO data).
2. Course mode (CRS) - provides vector navigation as illustrated below. CRS also allows tracking
a specific pilot-selected course when the host GPS route function is not in
use. CRS mode uses the GPS signal to provide the aircraft groundtrack.
3. Intercept mode (INT) – used to intercept
a predefined GPS desired track (DTK) as illustrated below. The INT mode also
uses the GPS signal to provide the aircraft groundtrack.
EZ
Pilot is a modern
solid-state navigation system designed to accurately track a GPS flight plan
or "Go To" Course that is entered into a handheld or panel mount
GPS Receiver. It also acts as a basic wing leveler when no GPS is available.
The pilot simply enters a flight plan into the GPS and presses the Servo button.
The EZ Pilot then precisely tracks the flight plan. If the pilot wishes to
deviate from the programmed flight path, the Mode button is pressed to enter
the Course mode and track any bearing selected with the "L-R" switch.
The new bearing will display on the readout and the aircraft will track that
bearing. An Intercept mode (with adjustable intercept angle) is available
to steer the plane back to the original flight path. A remote Servo Disconnect
switch provides instant release of flight controls. Holding the switch
down for three seconds or more enables Pilot Command Steering. This
allows the pilot to manually fly the aircraft to any new heading and, upon
releasing the switch, the autopilot will track that course. A convenient Display
switch allows the pilot to read the Waypoint Designator, Ground Speed, Distance
to Waypoint, Time to Waypoint, Crosstrack error, Track Offset Position and
a graphic Turn Coordinator.
Because the EZ Pilot uses
GPS signals as its reference, it is capable of tracking the flight plan that
you have entered into your GPS receiver very accurately. Typically,
in smooth air, you will see cross track errors (XTK) of less than .02 miles
(about 100 feet). This is significantly better than what was possible
with older analog autopilots. With the EZ Pilot, you will often observe tracking
between 0.00 and 0.01 miles of cross track error (between 0 and 50 feet).
Turbulence can obviously have an adverse effect on this accuracy, but it will
still track closely to the course centerline.
Mechanical gyros have been
a mainstay in aircraft instruments for years. However, they are now
being strongly challenged by some very impressive solid-state electronic gyros
that are small enough to fit into a ¼ - inch cube. These gyros are highly
responsive, accurate and not subject to the effects of mechanical wear and
breakage of their mechanical ancestors. The new gyros are also different
in that they do not obtain their attitude reference from gravity, but derive
it from electronic signals from GPS receivers, electronic magnetic sensors
or accelerometers. The EZ Pilot utilizes these new gyros to provide
fast, accurate and reliable attitude information.
The microprocessor in the
EZ Pilot is a powerful computer that executes millions of instructions each
second. It analyzes information it receives from the gyro(s), GPS receiver
and the pilot, and issues instructions to the servo to control the ailerons
of the aircraft. The processor computes course error corrections, closure
rates and appropriate intercept angles. It also monitors temperature
changes to maintain gyro stability and provides the data that appears on the
faceplate display. Because the microprocessor uses "flash"
memory to contain its programming it can be updated when improvements or new
features are available
The information that an
autopilot receives from your GPS receiver is in a digital format that is specific
and precise. The VOR and heading references commonly used by other autopilots
are analog (a varying DC voltage) and are somewhat ambiguous about precise
values so these autopilots work by trying to null the voltage to keep the
needle centered and the aircraft on the course centerline. GPS provides
digital bearing and tracking information that are not only accurate but precise
in value. To utilize GPS, the older autopilots must convert the digital
information into an analog voltage to drive the autopilot. The EZ Pilot
does not require this step because the microprocessor directly interprets
the digital values for aircraft guidance control
Flying the EZ Pilot is as
simple as entering a flight plan into your GPS receiver and pressing the "Servo"
button. The autopilot does the rest. Using GPS signals from your
receiver, the autopilot will typically track within .02 nm of course centerline
in smooth air. This exceeds the capabilities of many "certified"
autopilots when tracking a GPS flight plan
Pressing the "Mode"
button will sequence the autopilot from the track (TRK) mode to the course
(CRS) mode. In the CRS mode the pilot selects a desired course using
the L - R (left - right) switch and the autopilot will fly that course, using
the GPS data to assure an accurate course over the ground. Desired course
can be set to within 1 degree
A unique feature offered
by the EZ Pilot autopilot is its ability to intercept a preprogrammed flight
path. For instance, if you have disengaged the autopilot to manually
fly the aircraft away from the course line (perhaps at the request of ATC)
you may simply push the MODE button to enter the Intercept (INT) mode, and
then engage the servo. The aircraft will turn to a preprogrammed intercept
angle (25 degrees is the default) and fly toward the course line. When
the aircraft reaches approximately .5 miles from the centerline (distance
varies with aircraft speed), the autopilot will automatically switch to the
Track (TRK) mode and turn smoothly onto the course line.
When flying with the autopilot
engaged the pilot may disengage the servo by momentarily pressing a remote
"servo disconnect" switch located on the control stick or control
wheel. This will free the controls for manually flying the aircraft.
The "Servo" button on the instrument faceplate will also disengage
the servo when pressed.
All bearing-to-waypoint
and track information is constantly displayed for pilot reference. A
convenient "Display" button on the instrument faceplate also allows
the pilot to sequentially review a turn coordinator, distance to waypoint,
estimated time to waypoint, waypoint identifier, cross track error, groundspeed
and Track Offset Position (TOP) on the bottom right-hand portion of the display.
You might assume that all
GPS receivers provide identical data stream outputs. This is unfortunately
not the case. Most panel mount GPS receivers provide a data stream output
often referred to as an AVLINK data output and most handheld GPS receivers
output a data stream that conforms to the NMEA 0183 standard. Even with
these two standards as reference many GPS receivers do not conform exactly
to the specifications, but alter the data stream for various reasons.
The EZ Pilot microprocessor analyzes the data stream to determine if it is
an AVLINK or NMEA format, and then configures the autopilot to accept the
data. It also has special code to recognize a number of receivers that
do not adhere strictly to the standards, and it will further adjust the autopilot
to accept those it recognizes.
Trying to read the LCD (liquid
crystal display) screen on most handheld and many panel mounted GPS receivers
can be difficult in poor lighting conditions. The EZ Pilot overcomes
this difficulty by providing a bright vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) to
present information to the pilot. While this is the optimum solution
in a majority of applications, it may tend to "wash out" in direct
sunlight. In aircraft that experience a lot of direct sunlight on their
instrument panels, an LCD option (backlit for night operation) is also available.
Because the weight of the
Mems gyro is just a few grams, the total weight of the autopilot control head
is greatly reduced.
In either the TRK or CRS
mode, if the remote servo disconnect switch is held down for more than 3 seconds,
the servo LED will begin to flash, indicating that the PCS mode is active.
While holding the button down the pilot may manually fly to any new course
desired and, upon releasing the switch, the autopilot will enter the CRS mode
and track the new course over the ground.
While flight testing the
autopilot and flying flight plans using published airways, we often encountered
other airplanes using the same airway. While this was usually during
climb or descent (for either us or the opposing aircraft) it was a potential
safety issue. As more aircraft are using precision GPS receivers to
navigate, and many are coupled to autopilots, such close encounters are likely
to increase. For this reason, the EZ Pilot incorporates a Track Offset
Position (TOP) feature that allows the pilot to select a track offset of up
to 1 mile. This places the aircraft away from the course centerline
where much of the traffic might be found. It is interesting to note,
that if all aircraft positioned themselves to the right of the published course
centerline (for instance), opposing traffic would always be on the opposite
side of the centerline.
A “standard rate turn” of 3 degrees
per second may result in a comfortable bank angle at 130 knots, but as speed
increases the bank angle must be increased to achieve the standard rate of
turn. In faster aircraft this steeper bank may be uncomfortable to some
pilots and, indeed, may exceed the capability of an altitude hold system to
maintain altitude properly in the turn. To remedy this, the EZ Pilot
has a means whereby the users can adjust the maximum rate of turn to their
personal satisfaction. When shipped, the EZ Pilot is defaulted
to an “automatic” mode where the actual turn rate is automatically adjusted
based on groundspeed (as measured by your GPS). For aircraft cruising
at groundspeeds of 140 knots or greater the automatic mode will decrease the
allowable turn rate to keep the aircraft bank angle at a comfortable maximum
of approximately 15 degrees. Slower speeds will allow a standard rate
turn of 3 degrees per second.
If your cruise groundspeed is typically less than 150 knots,
or if you do not mind the higher bank angles at the higher groundspeeds, you
may want to select the MANUAL mode. In the MANUAL mode you can set the
maximum turn rate to a fixed limit. It is adjustable from 1 degree/sec
to as high as 3 degree/sec, in increments of 1/10th degree/sec.
In an effort to increase safety and
save lives, the emergency course reversal mode may be implemented as an emergency
aid to the VFR pilot who inadvertently enters IMC conditions and needs to
execute an immediate course reversal. It is important to realize
that the autopilot must be turned on and receiving a good GPS data signal
for proper operation. You may be tracking a flight plan but a sudden
IMC encounter may not leave you with an opportunity to reprogram your GPS
to invert the flight plan. This procedure does not require you to adjust
your GPS receiver. If you are manually flying your aircraft, this procedure
will also work because the servo does not have to be engaged to initiate
this emergency procedure.
The
procedure is simple and straightforward. Press and hold the MODE button
for three seconds. That’s all you need to do! After
three seconds the following will occur: (1) The
servo will be energized (if off) and the wing leveler function will engage.
(2) The
upper right display line will read “TRN 180”. (3) The lower right display
line will be forced to the turn coordinator display. (4) A 175-degree right
course reversal will be executed. After reversing course, the pilot
may alter the direction of flight using the L - R switch or engaging the PCS
mode.
The EZ Pilot will automatically compensate for trim imbalance
caused by fuel burn, moderate inaccurate trim settings, and the like.
As a safety feature, during takeoff
roll, the EZ Pilot checks the status of the servo. If the servo has
inadvertently been turned on prior to takeoff, at 25 knots GPS groundspeed
it will automatically disconnect the servo, allowing free movement of the
ailerons. This is a backup feature only and should not be relied upon
to replace a necessary preflight checklist item. This feature relies
on a proper GPS signal being received and will not function properly if the
GPS is not active and providing data to the autopilot.
The MEMS gyro that is employed in the EZ Pilot autopilot is
very responsive to even the slightest movement. Because the gyro is
mounted so that it can sense roll moment as well as yaw, it immediately responds
to any un-commanded roll movements caused by turbulence. The inherent
high sensitivity and fast response of the system results in excellent turbulence
penetration.
Most autopilots, even very expensive ones, are content to simply
track a course. The EZ Pilot aspires to a higher calling. Two
data "windows", the upper and lower right-hand display quadrants
can be used to present information present on the GPS data stream. Both
can be configured to present any of the items listed in the "Selectable
GPS Data Display" feature, above. However, the upper right-hand
display position may also be used to present user-selected, GPS derived data.
Many EZ Pilot users find that they don't look at their GPS receiver much after
the flight plan has been entered. It's easier to read the information
from the EZ Pilot display.
If the DISPLAY button is momentarily pressed two times in quick
succession (double-clicked) the variable field on the bottom right-hand side
of the display will enter or exit the “Scan Mode”. In this mode the
waypoint designator, RNG, GS, XTK, TOP and ETE(e) fields are sequenced in
the display at a 1.2 second rate. This can be useful for sequentially
monitoring all the parameters put out by the GPS without having to manually
select each parameter.
For many years a large number of experimental homebuilt planes
have flown successfully and reliably using a Navaid autopilot. The EZ
Pilot provides a servo output that is compatible with the Navaid servo, so
those who have a properly operating Navaid servo installed can use it with
the EZ Pilot control head, thus saving a considerable amount of money.
A short jumper cable can be provided with the control head that will plug
into the existing servo control harness.
Owners of
aircraft with large clear canopies will find a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
is more readable in high ambient light while the VFD (Vacuum Fluorescent Display)
shown above stands out when the instrument panel is shaded from the sun. VFD has higher contrast which is much
more readable in subdued light. VFD has a wider temperature range so
it works well at extreme hot and cold temperatures, where LCD likes more moderate
temperatures.
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