SAS and ATT mode

[gipsymagpie]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

It seems to me like manufacturers love to load their AFCS with so many extras, maybe to try and out-spec the competition that they forget that a good AFCS does all the basics well through a simple, uncomplicated interface.

A pilot on a high pressure IMC go around shouldn't need to remember umpteen modes and sub modes, engagement parameters etc - if it says GA on the button, it should do exactly that and it should work seamlessly with the FMS.

Unfortunately I get the impression that engineers design AFCS/FMS forgetting that pilots need to be able to use it easily.

Not so much the new AFCS. The Helionix GA is exactly what you want - maintains track, initiates a climb to the preset altitude, holds airspeed, manages NR in the event of OEI and initiates the missed approach in the FMS. Scarily dull. The older AP2000 was awful...it initiated a climb but just held the trimmed roll attitude even if that happened to be 30. Nasty.

[TeeS]

Hi Gipsy
totally agree with how excellent the autopilot is with helionix but I think the Autopilot is still essentially an AP2000. Happy to be corrected.
Cheers
TeeS

Ah, having woken up and reminded myself not to respond on social media when I have a large G & T in hand, I've re-read the last line of your post and realise I probably misread it, sorry!
This, from the Airbus FOBN, is what I was thinking about:
The BK117 D-2 automatic flight control system (AFCS) is an evolution of the so called APM 2000/2010 AFCS, which was fitted on the EC225, EC135, BK117 C-2, AS365 N3+, etc. The main difference between these autopilots is the physical implementation on the aircraft. The APM 2000 was implemented in a dedicated autopilot computer; the Helionix AFCS is embedded in a dedicated software partition inside the AMCs. In addition, various new functions (such as GTC/GTC.H) and improvements were implemented in the Helionix AFCS.
TeeS

[gipsymagpie]

Originally Posted by TeeS

Hi Gipsy
totally agree with how excellent the autopilot is with helionix but I think the Autopilot is still essentially an AP2000. Happy to be corrected.
Cheers
TeeS

Ah, having woken up and reminded myself not to respond on social media when I have a large G & T in hand, I've re-read the last line of your post and realise I probably misread it, sorry!
This, from the Airbus FOBN, is what I was thinking about:
The BK117 D-2 automatic flight control system (AFCS) is an evolution of the so called APM 2000/2010 AFCS, which was fitted on the EC225, EC135, BK117 C-2, AS365 N3+, etc. The main difference between these autopilots is the physical implementation on the aircraft. The APM 2000 was implemented in a dedicated autopilot computer; the Helionix AFCS is embedded in a dedicated software partition inside the AMCs. In addition, various new functions (such as GTC/GTC.H) and improvements were implemented in the Helionix AFCS.
TeeS

There are many versions of the APM2000 type AP - huge difference for example between the 3 and 4 axis versions of notionally the same thing. I was just appalled when moving from a 4 to 3 axis aircraft at the poor quality of the GA on the 3 axis systems (eg lack of wings level function) and more appalled that most established crews thought it did level the wings (the virtual wings, we are rotary drivers here)!

[[email protected]]

Thanks GM, I have heard that the Helionix is very good so some pilots must have been involved in its development

[sycamore]

Crab,PM for you...

[SASless]

As we are talking helicopters and not fixed wing aircraft....during off airport operations....how does one employ the maximum benefits of the latest technology.....say in EMS Accident Scene landings and take offs?

Have the approving authorities been keeping up with the approval to use use these Gucci Kitted helicopters to their fullest capability?

Or is that the bigger hurtle to get over in implementing such use?

[212man]

Originally Posted by gipsymagpie

Not so much the new AFCS. The Helionix GA is exactly what you want - maintains track, initiates a climb to the preset altitude, holds airspeed, manages NR in the event of OEI and initiates the missed approach in the FMS. Scarily dull. The older AP2000 was awful...it initiated a climb but just held the trimmed roll attitude even if that happened to be 30. Nasty.

It's been a while since I used it (17 years), but I'm pretty sure that in the EC155 the GA function levels the wings. I think it also automatically brought in the 4th axis, if in 3 axis when engaged, to give Vy and 750 fpm