Trio Avionics Pro Pilot - Manual (Page 39)

Trio Pro Pilot Manual 3.8
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V NAV button. This engages the pitch servo and the aircraft will begin to climb. Quickly pressing the
encoder knob will “pause” the climb so that we remain below the restricted airspace. The ALT HLD LED
is now illuminated and the other two V MODE LEDs are illuminated, not flashing. This tells us that the
aircraft is holding altitude and ready to climb to altitude.
Once clear of the class B airspace it is only necessary to press the encoder knob once again to initiate
the climb. At this point, the ALT HLD LED goes out and the AS/VS and ALT SEL LEDs begin to flash
again, indicating that the climb is underway to the preselected altitude.
A vertical rate and a target altitude may be entered prior to engaging the V NAV servo for example, prior
to takeoff. Once these parameters have been entered engaging the V NAV and pressing the encoder
will initiate an immediately climb to the preset altitude while in flight.
If a preselected altitude has not been chosen, i.e., only a rate of climb was entered, the encoder button
need not be pressed to activate the climb, only the V NAV button.
It is now possible to press the H MODE button to resume viewing the H NAV
displays. The AS/VS and ALT SEL LEDs will continue to flash until the destination
altitude is reached.
When the aircraft approaches within 100 feet of the destination altitude, it will slow the ascent to 200 feet
per minute for a smooth intercept. When it reaches the destination altitude, it will level the aircraft and
enter the ALT HLD mode. The AS/VS LED and ALT SEL LED will extinguish and the ALT HLD LED will
illuminate.
Note: While in a climb/descent to a target altitude, the display will normally show the VS screen
indicating the climb or descent rate. As a reminder, at approximately 20 second intervals, the
display will briefly show the destination altitude as well.
Here it indicates a climb to 7,500 feet.
Vertical Use of Pilot Command Steering
The Pilot Command Steering (PCS) function may be used to set a climb or descent rate. It is employed
by pressing and holding the remote disconnect button on the control stick while the V NAV pitch servo is
engaged.
This will disconnect the pitch servo from the controls and allow the pilot to establish a desired climb or
descent. After 3 seconds, the V NAV servo LED will begin to flash. This indicates that the servo will re-
engage when the button is released and the Pro Pilot will continue the climb/descent at the rate it
detected when the button was released.
The pilot may elect to have the PCS climb/descent rate controlled by the vertical speed (VS) of the
aircraft at the time of button release, or the airspeed. The choice between vertical speed (VS) or
airspeed (AS) may be selected in the CONFIGURATION menu. If the pilot chooses to employ a PCS
climb rate based upon airspeed (possibly chosen for best cooling in a climb) the climb will continue at
that airspeed but the vertical speed (VS) will change with altitude and power settings.
It should also be noted that the PCS function (when employed) will affect the H NAV mode as well,
unless a separate PCS AH disconnect button has been installed. As previously described, it will put the
Pro Pilot into the CRS mode and track the course that the aircraft is on when the button is released.