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DigiTrak autopilot

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klaus(at)utdallas.edu
Guest

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 5:20 am Post subject: DigiTrak autopilot

The DigiTrak autopilot has been an inexpensive addition to my plane.

It has been of tremendous help during long flights.



Recently, an unexpected problem came up, triggering this message for

other pilots having the same autopilot.



When the DigiTrak autopilot is engaged, and inadvertently you or your passenger

step on one of the two rudder pedals so that the ball goes out of center,

then the autopilot will start a turn that will not stop. The transition

to the turn is smooth and not noticed if the pilot is occupied with some other

issue. Apparently, the uncoordinated flight with the ball out of center 

is interpreted by the autopilot as a wings-not-level condition 

that should be corrected.



The sequence of events happened on a recent trip

 when I turned around to fetch something from the

baggage area and inadvertently pushed the left rudder pedal. 



The corrective action: Disengage the autopilot, use the rudder to center the

ball, get back on the original, intended heading, and engage the autopilot again.



I do not know if the other autopilots by TruTrak exhibit the same behavior.

My guess is that this may well be the case.



On another note: I put a blog together that contains articles written over the

years about various trips west. If you want to see the articles, go to



http://passionforflight.blogspot.com



The material may be useful if you are planning a trip west.



Happy flying,



Klaus

 [quote][b]

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Terry Phillips

Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 346
Location: Corvallis, MT

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 2:43 pm Post subject: DigiTrak autopilot

Hi Klaus

     

     Thanks for sharing the link to your travelblog. I loved your trips     to NM, AZ, UT, & CO. I worked 20+ years at Los Alamos, so I am     very familiar with that country. I was surprised that you didn't fly     up to Leadville from Beuna Vista. If I ever get that close to     Leadville, I'd want to land there just to say I'd landed at 10,000     ft MSL. 

     

     Thanks also for the photo of Phillip. He was very cordial and     helpful in my contacts with him.

     

     Terry

     

     On 7/23/2011 7:12 AM, Klaus Truemper wrote:     [quote]       p { margin: 0; }       The DigiTrak autopilot has been an inexpensive           addition to my plane.

           It has been of tremendous help during long flights.

           

           Recently, an unexpected problem came up, triggering this           message for

           other pilots having the same autopilot.

           

           When the DigiTrak autopilot is engaged, and inadvertently you           or your passenger

           step on one of the two rudder pedals so that the ball goes out           of center,

           then the autopilot will start a turn that will not stop. The           transition

           to the turn is smooth and not noticed if the pilot is occupied           with some other

           issue. Apparently, the uncoordinated flight with the ball out           of center 

           is interpreted by the autopilot as a wings-not-level condition           

           that should be corrected.

           

           The sequence of events happened on a recent trip

            when I turned around to fetch something from the

           baggage area and inadvertently pushed the left rudder pedal. 

           

           The corrective action: Disengage the autopilot, use the rudder           to center the

           ball, get back on the original, intended heading, and engage           the autopilot again.

           

           I do not know if the other autopilots by TruTrak exhibit the           same behavior.

           My guess is that this may well be the case.

           

           On another note: I put a blog together that contains articles           written over the

           years about various trips west. If you want to see the           articles, go to

           

           http://passionforflight.blogspot.com

           

           The material may be useful if you are planning a trip west.

           

           Happy flying,

           

           Klaus

           

         

        	  Quote: 	
		  

	
     -- 

Terry Phillips 

ttp44~at~rkymtn.net

Corvallis MT

ZU-601XL/Jab 3300 s .. l .. o .. o .. w build kit - Tail & flaps are done; 

Upgrading wings & ailerons per AMD Safety Directive

http://www.mykitlog.com/N47TP/ [b]

- The Matronics Zenith-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List

_________________
Terry Phillips
Corvallis, MT
ttp44<at>rkymtn.net
Zenith 601XL/Jab 3300 slow build kit - Tail feathers done; working on the wings.

don.honabach(at)pcperfect
Guest

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:12 am Post subject: DigiTrak autopilot

Klaus,



 	  Quote: 	
		  > http://passionforflight.blogspot.com


	


Amazing blog, amazing pictures!  It was especially interesting to read about your flying in/around Arizona. I definitely need to open my eyes a bit and explore – I’m missing way too much!



Don



From: owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Terry Phillips

Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2011 3:37 PM

To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Re: Zenith-List: DigiTrak autopilot



Hi Klaus



Thanks for sharing the link to your travelblog. I loved your trips to NM, AZ, UT, & CO. I worked 20+ years at Los Alamos, so I am very familiar with that country. I was surprised that you didn't fly up to Leadville from Beuna Vista. If I ever get that close to Leadville, I'd want to land there just to say I'd landed at 10,000 ft MSL.



Thanks also for the photo of Phillip. He was very cordial and helpful in my contacts with him.



Terry



On 7/23/2011 7:12 AM, Klaus Truemper wrote:

The DigiTrak autopilot has been an inexpensive addition to my plane.

It has been of tremendous help during long flights.



Recently, an unexpected problem came up, triggering this message for

other pilots having the same autopilot.



When the DigiTrak autopilot is engaged, and inadvertently you or your passenger

step on one of the two rudder pedals so that the ball goes out of center,

then the autopilot will start a turn that will not stop. The transition

to the turn is smooth and not noticed if the pilot is occupied with some other

issue. Apparently, the uncoordinated flight with the ball out of center

is interpreted by the autopilot as a wings-not-level condition

that should be corrected.



The sequence of events happened on a recent trip

 when I turned around to fetch something from the

baggage area and inadvertently pushed the left rudder pedal.



The corrective action: Disengage the autopilot, use the rudder to center the

ball, get back on the original, intended heading, and engage the autopilot again.



I do not know if the other autopilots by TruTrak exhibit the same behavior.

My guess is that this may well be the case.



On another note: I put a blog together that contains articles written over the

years about various trips west. If you want to see the articles, go to



http://passionforflight.blogspot.com



The material may be useful if you are planning a trip west.



Happy flying,



Klaus





--



Terry Phillips



ttp44~at~rkymtn.net



Corvallis MT



ZU-601XL/Jab 3300 s .. l .. o .. o .. w build kit - Tail & flaps are done;



Upgrading wings & ailerons per AMD Safety Directive



http://www.mykitlog.com/N47TP/

- The Matronics Zenith-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List

steve.freeman(at)syntaxds
Guest

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:47 am Post subject: DigiTrak autopilot

Hey Don,

 

You and I have always seemed to have different missions for our planes.  You want to be able to get places covering long distances in short amounts of time.  I have always wanted to take short hops and explore places like in this blog.  Granted, getting places faster has its advantages but as this delay in Lamar so clearly shows that is no guarantee no matter what you are flying.  You would have beat us to Osh Kosh by a long shot.  And if the repair we do tomorrow does not work it looks like I will be driving to Denver in the loaner car to take a commercial flight home L  Keeping finges crossed here!

 

I have always had a fantasy and I hope to someday make a reality to fly my plane coast to coast and stop every couple of hours in places I have wanted to see.  I will camp, work, blog and move on.  IF my business stays the way it is where I am working anyplace my wifi will get a signal I might be able to make this happen one day.  The romantic side of my heart pounds with the possibility.  Many times I wonder if I should built the 750 with Tundra tires…

 

FYI – Lamar Sucks…But at least I can work while stranded in my hotel.

 

Even though this trip has been an epic fail so far I am even more motivated to finish my plane. 

 



SF

 

From: owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Don Honabach

Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 10:04 AM

To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: RE: DigiTrak autopilot

 

Klaus,

 

 	  Quote: 	
		  > http://passionforflight.blogspot.com

 
	


Amazing blog, amazing pictures!  It was especially interesting to read about your flying in/around Arizona. I definitely need to open my eyes a bit and explore – I’m missing way too much!

 

Don



 

From: owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Terry Phillips

Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2011 3:37 PM

To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Re: DigiTrak autopilot

 

Hi Klaus



Thanks for sharing the link to your travelblog. I loved your trips to NM, AZ, UT, & CO. I worked 20+ years at Los Alamos, so I am very familiar with that country. I was surprised that you didn't fly up to Leadville from Beuna Vista. If I ever get that close to Leadville, I'd want to land there just to say I'd landed at 10,000 ft MSL. 



Thanks also for the photo of Phillip. He was very cordial and helpful in my contacts with him.



Terry



On 7/23/2011 7:12 AM, Klaus Truemper wrote: 

The DigiTrak autopilot has been an inexpensive addition to my plane.

It has been of tremendous help during long flights.



Recently, an unexpected problem came up, triggering this message for

other pilots having the same autopilot.



When the DigiTrak autopilot is engaged, and inadvertently you or your passenger

step on one of the two rudder pedals so that the ball goes out of center,

then the autopilot will start a turn that will not stop. The transition

to the turn is smooth and not noticed if the pilot is occupied with some other

issue. Apparently, the uncoordinated flight with the ball out of center 

is interpreted by the autopilot as a wings-not-level condition 

that should be corrected.



The sequence of events happened on a recent trip

 when I turned around to fetch something from the

baggage area and inadvertently pushed the left rudder pedal. 



The corrective action: Disengage the autopilot, use the rudder to center the

ball, get back on the original, intended heading, and engage the autopilot again.



I do not know if the other autopilots by TruTrak exhibit the same behavior.

My guess is that this may well be the case.



On another note: I put a blog together that contains articles written over the

years about various trips west. If you want to see the articles, go to



http://passionforflight.blogspot.com



The material may be useful if you are planning a trip west.



Happy flying,



Klaus

 	  Quote: 	
		     	


  	  Quote: 	
		  -- Terry Phillips ttp44~at~rkymtn.netCorvallis MTZU-601XL/Jab 3300 s .. l .. o .. o .. w build kit - Tail & flaps are done; Upgrading wings & ailerons per AMD Safety Directivehttp://www.mykitlog.com/N47TP/  	
0 	  Quote: 	
		   	
1 	  Quote: 	
		   	
2

~�ރg(ӍӇqzn

- The Matronics Zenith-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List

steve.freeman(at)syntaxds
Guest

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:05 am Post subject: DigiTrak autopilot

Hi guys,

 

My last post was meant to be a personal response to a friend.  I apologize for not noticing this was a list posting.  I thought my friend was writing to me…not the list.

 

Klaus’ blog is quite amazing and inspirational.  I am hoping to one day do something similar.  I already have much of the flight path planned in my head.

 

Steve

 

From: owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Don Honabach

Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 10:04 AM

To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: RE: DigiTrak autopilot

 

Klaus,

 

 	  Quote: 	
		  > http://passionforflight.blogspot.com

 
	


Amazing blog, amazing pictures!  It was especially interesting to read about your flying in/around Arizona. I definitely need to open my eyes a bit and explore – I’m missing way too much!

 

Don



 

From: owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Terry Phillips

Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2011 3:37 PM

To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Re: DigiTrak autopilot

 

Hi Klaus



Thanks for sharing the link to your travelblog. I loved your trips to NM, AZ, UT, & CO. I worked 20+ years at Los Alamos, so I am very familiar with that country. I was surprised that you didn't fly up to Leadville from Beuna Vista. If I ever get that close to Leadville, I'd want to land there just to say I'd landed at 10,000 ft MSL. 



Thanks also for the photo of Phillip. He was very cordial and helpful in my contacts with him.



Terry



On 7/23/2011 7:12 AM, Klaus Truemper wrote: 

The DigiTrak autopilot has been an inexpensive addition to my plane.

It has been of tremendous help during long flights.



Recently, an unexpected problem came up, triggering this message for

other pilots having the same autopilot.



When the DigiTrak autopilot is engaged, and inadvertently you or your passenger

step on one of the two rudder pedals so that the ball goes out of center,

then the autopilot will start a turn that will not stop. The transition

to the turn is smooth and not noticed if the pilot is occupied with some other

issue. Apparently, the uncoordinated flight with the ball out of center 

is interpreted by the autopilot as a wings-not-level condition 

that should be corrected.



The sequence of events happened on a recent trip

 when I turned around to fetch something from the

baggage area and inadvertently pushed the left rudder pedal. 



The corrective action: Disengage the autopilot, use the rudder to center the

ball, get back on the original, intended heading, and engage the autopilot again.



I do not know if the other autopilots by TruTrak exhibit the same behavior.

My guess is that this may well be the case.



On another note: I put a blog together that contains articles written over the

years about various trips west. If you want to see the articles, go to



http://passionforflight.blogspot.com



The material may be useful if you are planning a trip west.



Happy flying,



Klaus

 	  Quote: 	
		     	


  	  Quote: 	
		  -- Terry Phillips ttp44~at~rkymtn.netCorvallis MTZU-601XL/Jab 3300 s .. l .. o .. o .. w build kit - Tail & flaps are done; Upgrading wings & ailerons per AMD Safety Directivehttp://www.mykitlog.com/N47TP/  	
0 	  Quote: 	
		   	
1 	  Quote: 	
		   	
2

~�ރg(ӍӇqzn

- The Matronics Zenith-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

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