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GNS Autopilot Behavior Options

The updated GNS 430/530 package allows for some autopilot options to be set to customize behavior for differing plane configurations. These can be customized by adding new tags to the <Instrument> configuration in your panel.xml file.

Please note the standard, default behavior of the GNS autopilot:

By default, the autopilot will support NAV mode arming. This means that you will need to be on an intercept heading with the desired course and at a small deviation for NAV mode to activate. Disabling this will turn the plane towards the desired course as soon as nav mode is activated. This is configured with the <DisableAPNavArm> tag.

By default, the autopilot will be initialized. Disabling this will prevent the autopilot being initialized, and the GNS instrument will not control the autopilot. This is configured with the <DisableAutopilot> tag.

By default, the autopilot will support NAV mode arming. This means that you will need to be on an intercept heading with the desired course and at a small deviation for NAV mode to activate. Disabling this will turn the plane towards the desired course as soon as nav mode is activated. This is configured with the <DisableAPNavArm> tag.

By default, the autopilot will not support an independent flight director -- the flight director will turn on and off with the AP master. A flight director that can be seperately enabled is possible with the <SupportAPFlightDirector> tag.

By default, the autopilot will support a Backcourse/REV mode. To disable support for this, use the <DisableAPBackCourse> tag.

By default, the autopilot will use a 20 degree bank angle. To specify the bank angle, use the <MaxAPBankAngle> tag.

The following is a sample instrument config block that changes all these settings from the default using the tags described above:

<Instrument>
  <Name>AS530</Name>
  <DisableAutopilot>True</DisableAutopilot>
  <DisableAPNavArm>True</DisableAPNavArm>
  <SupportAPFlightDirector>True</SupportAPFlightDirector>
  <DisableAPBackCourse>True</DisableAPBackCourse>
  <MaxAPBankAngle>20</MaxAPBankAngle>
</Instrument>

Any or all of these can be used as appropriate.