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Dennis Johnson
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 89
Location: N. Calif.
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 Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 4:47 pm Post subject: TruTrak ADI |
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Hi Jose,
I have a 2.25" TruTrak ADI as backup for my Chelton displays. My little 2.25" ADI is small and if I planned to use it as the primary attitude source, I'd definitely want the full size 3.125" version.
One interesting feature is that if you connect it to a GPS, it will display track (heading). I don't have a GPS connected to mine and can't comment on that feature, except that I think it would be useful.
Before flying in IMC, I went up in clear weather with a safety pilot and flew simulated instruments using only my backups: 2.25" instruments for airspeed indicator, altimeter, and TruTrak ADI and a handheld Garmin 196 GPS. I flew straight and level, holding patterns, and non-precision approaches.
It moves differently than a traditional mechanical attitude indicator, which was a little distracting at first. But after a couple of minutes, I adjusted to it and had no trouble flying the airplane with it as my sole attitude reference. I'm confident that I could safely get the airplane on the ground if my primary system failed.
I didn't practice recovery from unusual attitudes, but I expect that wouldn't be a problem. If you exceed 45° of bank, it displays a big red arrow showing you which way to roll to get the wings level. If you hold the nose up and bleed off airspeed, it flashes a low airspeed warning to tell you to lower the nose and/or add power.
If I had more room on my panel, I'd like to have the full size ADI instead of the small one. The small one works fine, it's just that a larger display would be easier on my eyes. But I don't have the room, so there's no point going down that road.
I'm very satisfied with the ADI and thinks it gives me good value. It costs much less than a mechanical attitude indicator and might have a longer life because of fewer moving parts. It's also lighter and easier to install. Some people believe that if your primary instruments are all electronic, like mine, your backup instruments should use a different technology so that a single event is unlikely to take out both the primary and backup instruments.
Good luck,
Dennis
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paula.alvary(at)verizon.n
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| Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 11:49 am Post subject: TruTrak ADI |
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Dennis, Dennis, and Mike,
Thanks very much for your user reports. The instrument does offer great value, but now I'm not sure it is what I want. The Tru Trak ADI has a novel way of helping the pilot hold proper attitude in IMC. Supposedly there are human factors studies indicating that it is a better way than just the traditional horizon indicator. From what I can see, though, the device is simply putting in one convenient unit the turn coordinator , vertical speed indicator and GPS track....devices I already have on my panel. I think the suggestion to fly one first hand is the way to go for me because I'm being old fashioned and believing I will miss the true attitude indicator.
--Jose
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peter(at)sportingaero.com
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| Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 12:47 pm Post subject: TruTrak ADI |
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Jose,
I have had an ADI for a couple of years. Mine has an integral GPS, so the display shows track – that was the original reason for getting it, as well as my T&B started to sound like a coffee grinder. When you get slow the display alternately shows “A_S” (for airspeed) and the track number, to remind you to look at the ASI (the theory being the ASI gives better information at slow speed). The speed when the AS is shown can be set by the user.
I think it does much more than combine the 3 instruments you mention, when you are flying normally in the cruise it allows you to keep the aircraft in control, on track, and pretty much on altitude by reference to one instrument. Clearly reference must be made to an altimeter for accurate height keeping. I installed the instrument as an IMC back-up in a VFR airplane, and I am very happy with it, it is quite intuitive to use. I have some hood time with it, but no actual.
If you are wanting to replace an attitude indicator, then I would suggest you definitely should try one out first. It may suit your needs, it may not. Also, the package is square and a fair amount larger than a regular instrument (perhaps 3½“ square?), with a 9 pin d-sub + pitot pressure on the back, so make sure you have sufficient space behind the panel.
Peter
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frank.hinde(at)hp.com
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| Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:30 am Post subject: TruTrak ADI |
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I came in on the tail end of this but..
First off if your VFR only then any trutrak..pictorial pilot or ADI is way more thn you need..I mean..look out the window.
If your IFR then you really should think about backups. (yes way more than certified spam cans have been doing for 50 years)..In my case in the RV 7 I have a Dynon D100 (battery backed up) as my primary flight instrument. Then I have a pictorial pilot and a simple ALtrak (altitude hold)..I personally like seperating the autopilots this way.
I also make a point of using the Pictorial pilot as the turn rate...that way i automatically scan between both intruments...
If the Dynon goes down the Pictorial pilot is perfectly adequate for flying in IMC..In fact I would simpply engage the autopilot
This set up works great for instrument flying and VFR cross country George (the autopilots) do all the flying.
Frank
From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Palvary
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 12:46 PM
To: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com
Subject: TruTrak ADI
Dennis, Dennis, and Mike,
Thanks very much for your user reports. The instrument does offer great value, but now I'm not sure it is what I want. The Tru Trak ADI has a novel way of helping the pilot hold proper attitude in IMC. Supposedly there are human factors studies indicating that it is a better way than just the traditional horizon indicator. From what I can see, though, the device is simply putting in one convenient unit the turn coordinator , vertical speed indicator and GPS track....devices I already have on my panel. I think the suggestion to fly one first hand is the way to go for me because I'm being old fashioned and believing I will miss the true attitude indicator.
--Jose
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