Garmin G1000 Mooney M20TN - Manual (Page 319)

190-00647-00 Rev. A Garmin G1000 Pilot’s Guide for the Mooney M20M/M20R/M20TN 7-19
AUTOMATIC FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM
7.4 AUTOPILOT OPERATION
NOTE: Refer to the AFM for specific instructions regarding emergency procedures.
The Mooney M20M/M20R/M20TN’s autopilot operates flight control surface servos to provide automatic flight
control. The autopilot controls the aircraft pitch and roll attitudes following commands received from the flight
director. Pitch autotrim provides trim commands to the pitch trim servo to relieve any sustained effort required
by the pitch servo.
FLIGHT CONTROL
Pitch and roll commands are provided to the servos, based on the active flight director modes. Servo motor
control limits the maximum servo speed and torque. The servo mounts are equipped with slip-clutches set to
certain values. This allows the servos to be overridden in case of an emergency.
PITCH AXIS AND PITCH TRIM
The autopilot pitch axis uses pitch rate to stabilize the aircraft pitch attitude during upsets and flight
director maneuvers. Flight director pitch commands are rate- and attitude-limited, combined with pitch
damper control, and sent to the pitch servo motor. The pitch servo measures the output effort (torque) and
provides this signal to the pitch trim servo. The pitch trim servo commands the motor to reduce the average
pitch servo effort.
When the autopilot is not engaged, the pitch trim servo may be used to provide manual electric trim.
This allows the aircraft to be trimmed using a control wheel switch rather than the trim wheel. Manual trim
commands are generated with the TRIM Switch. Trim speeds are scheduled with airspeed to provide more
consistent response.
ROLL AXIS
The autopilot roll axis uses roll rate to stabilize aircraft roll attitude during upsets and flight director
maneuvers. The flight director roll commands are rate- and attitude-limited, combined with roll damper
control, and sent to the roll servo motor.
ENGAGING THE AUTOPILOT
NOTE: Autopilot engagement/disengagement is not equivalent to servo engagement/disengagement. Use
the CWS Button to disengage the pitch and roll servos while the autopilot remains active.
When the AP Key is pressed, the autopilot and flight director (if not already engaged) are activated. Engagement
is indicated by a green ‘AP’ annunciation in the center of the AFCS Status Box. The flight director engages in
Pitch and Roll Hold modes when initially activated.
Figure 7-17 Autopilot Engaged
Autopilot Engaged