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SkyView Pilot’s User Guide - Revision M
8-1
8.
Autopilot Operation
This chapter guides you through the functionality, symbology, and operation of the SkyView
Autopilot. It assumes that the Autopilot servos have been properly installed, calibrated, tested,
and tuned according to the procedures in the SkyView System Installation Guide.
Autopilot Safety Features
The Dynon Avionics Autopilot is designed with multiple failsafe features to ensure that the
autopilot can always be disabled, even in the event of electronic or mechanical failure.
First, the required disconnect switch commands the servos to disengage directly, ensuring that
the pilot can always override SkyView’s commands.
Next, the Autopilot servos are designed so that the pilot can always overpower them and move
the control stick/yoke manually with minimal force, even when the servo is operating at its
highest torque output capability.
When the servos are not receiving power, they revert to their normal power-off state. Thus,
simply opening the Autopilot circuit breaker or fuse on in the aircraft will completely inhibit the
Autopilot servos from controlling the airplane.
However, SkyView does continuously look for the presence of powered-up servos, even when
the autopilot is disengaged, and will show an error condition if they are not seen. Therefore,
Dynon Avionics recommends that the servos receiving power whenever SkyView is powered on
in routine operation. When the servos are receiving power but the autopilot is not engaged, the
servos draw negligible power.
Finally, in the unlikely event of an internal catastrophic failure of the servo, moderate but firm
force on the control/stick yoke will physically decouple the servo internals from its link to the
aircraft control surface. This action breaks a specially designed shear screw which is designed to
yield in this scenario to preserve positive pilot control of the aircraft.
Horizontal Autopilot Functionality
This section summarizes the horizontal functionality (i.e., the roll axis) of the SkyView Autopilot
system. After reading this section, the user should be familiar with the different roll axis
autopilot modes of operation and how they will affect the aircraft.
Heading Hold/Select Mode
The autopilot holds and/or turns the magnetic heading of the aircraft to match the current
heading bug when the roll axis is engaged in heading (HDG) mode.
Track Hold/Select Mode
The autopilot holds and/or turns the GPS ground track of the aircraft to match the current track
bug when the roll axis is engaged in track (TRK) mode.