Trio Avionics EZ Pilot - v 1.9 - Manual (Page 16)

12
In the CRS mode the L-R switch allows the pilot to adjust the commanded course by one
degree increments either right or left of its current value. Again, “bumping" this switch will
cause the commanded course to change by one degree, while holding the switch in
either off-center position results in a two degree per second change until released. The
distance right or left of the DTK is preserved as the XTK data, although, since we are in
the CRS mode, it will not affect the autopilot tracking. The CRS mode is exited by
pressing the mode button until the desired mode (INT, TRK) is selected. Note that if the
XTK error is inside the intercept boundary line, the autopilot will sequence directly from
CRS to TRK (bypassing the INT mode) when the mode button is momentarily pressed.
The PCS (Pilot Command Steering) mode provides an alternate mode of entry to the
CRS mode and is described in paragraph 5.6.
3.2.11 INT (Intercept) Mode
The INT mode is designed to bring the aircraft back onto the desired track after a vector
navigation operation. It is activated by pressing the MODE switch (to sequence from the
TRK or the CRS mode) until the INT LED is illuminated.
It is important to note again, the INT mode cannot be entered if the XTK error is less than
the computed distance from the desired track line. This variable distance is computed as
a function of the turn rate and groundspeed. The automatic switch from the INT to TRK
mode occurs at this distance.
If the XTK is greater than the computed distance then the
INT mode can be entered. See paragraph 5.5 for a detailed description of this feature.
The INT mode automatically establishes an approximate 25 degree intercept angle
(default setting) toward DTK. The commanded intercept course can be adjusted in the
same manner as in the CRS mode using the L-R switch or the PCS mode. The INT
mode is automatically cancelled and the TRK mode is entered when the aircraft crosses
the intercept boundary line
.
NOTE: If SERVO POWER is turned on (cycled) while in the INT mode, the current track over the ground is
automatically entered as the commanded intercept angle.
3.2.12 TOP (Track Offset Position)
With the advent of highly accurate GPS navigation and coupled autopilots, aircraft are
tracking more and more closely to the airway centerlines on designated airways (the EZ
Pilot can easily hold the course centerline within 50 to 100 feet in smooth air). This
creates the real possibility of overtaking or head-on encounters with other aircraft that are
also tracking the airway centerline, especially during climb and descent when normal
altitude separation is not in effect.
To help avoid such encounters, the EZ Pilot incorporates a feature heretofore found only
in high end Flight Management Systems – Track Offset Position (TOP).
Track Offset Position allows the pilot to fly a groundtrack which is offset by up to one
mile from the centerline between the waypoints (desired track, or DTK). To enable this
feature, do the following:
In the TRK mode (only) Move the L-R switch to the left or right to select the offset
distance to track, either to the left or the right of the DTK centerline. The arrow indicator
denotes the direction of the offset and the numeric field indicates the offset selected
(measured in miles and tenths of a mile). Changes to the offset may be made in 1/10
th
mile increments.