SkyView
Airplane Flight Manual Supplement, Rev N,
10/23/2020
Page | 9-11
Autopilot Control Panel
The optional Autopilot control panel (
) includes dedicated buttons for engaging the
Flight Director, Autopilot, and all modes, including setting up fully coupled approaches; VNAV;
IAS Hold; and mode sequencing (provided that the necessary IFR navigation sources are
installed). It also has a LEVEL button to immediately return the airplane to straight and level
flight.
Figure 29: Autopilot Control Panel
Yaw Damper
The Yaw Damper function, when installed, dampens yaw oscillations induced by turbulence,
which improves the airplanes ride quality. The function will also keep the Slip/Skid Indicator
centered during maneuvers.
The Yaw Damper is engaged independently from the Autopilot and can be engaged when the
autopilot is not engaged. The Yaw Damper control appears only on the Autopilot Control Menu
(see
). To engage the Yaw Damper, select the YD button. The YD button light will turn
green when engaged, and the Slip/Skid Indicator will appear green, with the letters YD in black,
as shown in
Because the Yaw Damper provides active control of the rudder, it should be deactivated when
manual flight maneuvering is required, such as when entering an airport traffic pattern.
Disengaging the Yaw Damper requires a pilot action such as those described in
However, if forgotten, applying pressure on a rudder pedal when the Yaw Damper is engaged
will just override the Yaw Damper and cause the Yaw Damper servo to slip, just as do the
Autopilot servos.
The Yaw Damper function is not available on all airplanes.
