KAP140 problems

[Cary]

Yesterday I went out for some IMC practice, and had several problems
with my autopilot. The first thing I noticed is that while in altitude
hold and heading mode, whenever ATC gave me a heading change the
KAP140 had a hard time maintaining altitude. The VSI would go up or
down 600 to 800 fpm during the turn. When flying straight and level it
maintained altitude just fine. The other abnormality occured while on
an ILS approach. I intercepted the localizer fine and it was tracking
the localizer without a problem. When I was a couple miles out from
the FAF and the GS was one dot high, I lowered the gear and flaps as
usual. The KAP read GS (armed). However, after passing the FAF the
plane did not descend and the GS went full scale low. I disconnected
the AP and hand flew the plane, but the approach was not pretty (40 kt
tail winds didn't help). Anyone else see similar issues with a KAP140?
I would go up and test the AP again tomorrow, but King Bush will be
here and there is a TFR over my airport!
Cary

[Jay Honeck]

> I would go up and test the AP again tomorrow, but King Bush will be
> here and there is a TFR over my airport!

Hey, Bush can't be king until Daley abdicates the throne...

:-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[NW_Pilot]

Sounds like operator error, Are you new at using the 140? If so it looks
like some one needs to learn to use the rudder in turns and how about useage
of prop and throttle controls also on approch? I can see it now elevator
trim stall on approch or at missed!


"Cary" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Yesterday I went out for some IMC practice, and had several problems
> with my autopilot. The first thing I noticed is that while in altitude
> hold and heading mode, whenever ATC gave me a heading change the
> KAP140 had a hard time maintaining altitude. The VSI would go up or
> down 600 to 800 fpm during the turn. When flying straight and level it
> maintained altitude just fine. The other abnormality occured while on
> an ILS approach. I intercepted the localizer fine and it was tracking
> the localizer without a problem. When I was a couple miles out from
> the FAF and the GS was one dot high, I lowered the gear and flaps as
> usual. The KAP read GS (armed). However, after passing the FAF the
> plane did not descend and the GS went full scale low. I disconnected
> the AP and hand flew the plane, but the approach was not pretty (40 kt
> tail winds didn't help). Anyone else see similar issues with a KAP140?
> I would go up and test the AP again tomorrow, but King Bush will be
> here and there is a TFR over my airport!
> Cary
>

[Dan Luke[_2_]]

"NW_Pilot" wrote:

> Sounds like operator error,

No it doesn't. That's a sick KAP 140.


--
Dan
T-182T at BFM

[Montblack]

("Jay Honeck" wrote)
>> I would go up and test the AP again tomorrow, but King Bush will be here
>> and there is a TFR over my airport!
>
> Hey, Bush can't be king until Daley abdicates the throne...


The king's realm

http://www.aopa.org/images/whatsnew/newsitems/2007/notams/7-3520.gif
Mostly an overlay of (MSP) Minneapolis/St Paul Class B


Paul-Mont

[NW_Pilot]

Could be that also! But doubtful.... The KAP 140's I have used don't control
Rudder nither Power/Prop Settings!


"Dan Luke" > wrote in message
...
>
> "NW_Pilot" wrote:
>
>> Sounds like operator error,
>
> No it doesn't. That's a sick KAP 140.
>
>
> --
> Dan
> T-182T at BFM
>

[Cary]

While I will not rule out the possiblilty of operator error, I think
this is not likely. I have 98 hours in this airplane (a Diamond Twin
Star) and about 1300 hours total time, I have never seen this happen
with my KAP140 (and I have flown over 50 approaches with it). The KAP
does not control the rudder, and the turns were well coordinated
thanks to my rudder input. Throttle was set to 60% power which is what
I need for flying the descent on the ILS, and there is no prop control
in the FADEC system.

Cary

On Aug 20, 5:34 pm, "NW_Pilot" >
wrote:
> Sounds like operator error, Are you new at using the 140? If so it looks
> like some one needs to learn to use the rudder in turns and how about useage
> of prop and throttle controls also on approch? I can see it now elevator
> trim stall on approch or at missed!