Roll Steering With GPSS By S-Tec Roll Steering With GPSS By S-Tec When I first heard about the GPSS by S-Tec, my first thoughts were it's just another way to get navigation information to the autopilot and I doubted it would work any better than left/right information that was always available out of any panel mounted GPS. Another issue was the low cost; when the GPSS first came out, it sold in the neighborhood of $695.00 (price nowadays is $995.00). Let's face it, if the $6,000 roll autopilot couldn't keep you centered on a course, how could this cheap little box help? Yes, as most of you know, I'm a 'Doubting' Thomas. Mike Sutton gave my boys the task of installing a GNS 430, Sandel EHSI, custom panels along with a host of other goodies.

He asked us to install a GPSS that he had purchased elsewhere and for some reason the other shop didn't install it. Normally we install only the avionics we sell but I thought; Mike is willing to pay us to install the GPSS and if his GPSS doesn't work, I can point the finger at him! The deal was too good to pass so we agreed to install the little GPSS and see that happened. Besides, regardless of the outcome, it would give me some good article material. Just what is the GPSS supposed to do? In simple terms, the panel mounted GPS knows where it is and based on the flight plan installed by the pilot, it knows where you hope to end up.

Autopilot Selection Guide. Install S-TEC autopilots. The Genesys Aerosystems Warranty is. • Manual Electric Trim • GPSS Converter.

'Real' panel mounted GPS systems have what we call a 429 buss output and on this buss is a digital composite roll steering information. When the GPSS is activated and a flight plan in the GPS is active, you do not need to set the course pointer to the station bearing, the GPSS does not look at the navigation indicator or HSI for any information. Personally I'd set the course pointer on the bearing the GPSS is flying just for a visual reference on what's going on but again, it's not required.

Believe me, once you have a GPSS installed, you will be looking for something to do in the cockpit; after my test flight with Mike Sutton, I realize the GPSS can make you feel like the Maytag Repairman. The GPSS indicator has two lamps on the faceplate. Normally this system will default to the heading mode. While in this mode, you can use the heading bug on the DG or HSI just as with any autopilot. Turn the heading bug and the aircraft will sharply follow it until the bug is almost centered then the aircraft will slow the gain so not to 'S' turn when capturing the heading. While in the heading mode on the GPSS you can also use the standard 'NAV' modes just like any other autopilot.

In other words, when the GPSS is in the heading mode, your system acts just like it did prior to the GPSS being installed. What I've found with most autopilot systems, it's easier and more accurate to just set the heading bug to the bearing the GPS says and correct for the winds. Often VOR and GPS standard left/right signals will not keep the indicator needles centered and tend to make the autopilot wander all over the sky, which is not a good thing. Simply by pressing the GPSS button on the annunicator, your whole world changes.

First, the 'HDG' lamp goes out and the 'GPSS' lamp illuminates. If you have an active flight plan in the GPS, the autopilot will instantly do whatever is required to intercept the proper bearing to the next waypoint. All you have to do is have the aircraft pointed less than 180 degrees of the next fix. More on this during our flight test The GPSS comes in three flavors. Extremely compact (about the size of a deck of cards), the GPSS converter is 1' thick, 2.25' wide and 3.24' deep. The faceplate and control switch on the self-contained units, in either horizontal or vertical configuration is 1.5' by 3.25' If panel space is restricted and does not permit the use of a self-contained configuration, the control box can be remotely mounted with a 1.32' by.82' control switch which projects only 1' behind the panel.

There's a GPSS made to fit just about any aircraft. Operating voltage is 14 or 28Vdc. If there is no 429 data buss output from the GPS, then the GPSS lamp will blink and can not be activated.

Camfrog Pro Ipa Download Game. At the present, most GPS systems 429 data buss output roll steering commands for enroute navigation and a few GPS overlays of DME ARC's approach transitions are currently available. In the near future, databases should be expanded to include full procedure approaches, transitions to approaches, procedure turns, published holding patterns and missed approach maneuvering.