Peter R. wrote:
Michelle wrote:


The Auto-pilot is another story.
The HDG,NAV and APR button work as one would expect. However altitude
navigation is confusing. I am still not sure i have it all figured out.
The ALT button toggles between alt hold and Vertical speed modes but not
all the time.


I have about 400 hours behind a KAP140 in a C172SP, the last being about a
year and a half ago. IIRC, the first time you hit the ALT button, this
engages the vertical speed hold. If you hit the ALT button again, it will
engage the altitude hold. Hit the ALT again and it toggles back to VS
hold.

The only time this ALT toggle shouldn't work is when the AP is in APR mode
and you have captured the glideslope. Not sure why this ALT/VS toggle
didn't work for you every time other than in APR mode.


The auto-pilot seems like it is on but is really in standby mode. It
should indicate it is in standby mode but it does not.


If no mode lights are illuminated on the face of the unit, it is in what
you are calling "standby mode."


I started pushing buttons and nothing happened.


You need to first hold the AP button for three or four seconds to engage
the AP (at which time it will engage wing leveler mode). At that point you
can then select the mode you desire.

This engage delay was purposely introduced by Bendix King approximately
five years ago in response to a C182 accident in England where the pilot
mistakenly engaged the AP on the ground when his knuckle hit the AP button
as he slid the throttle forward during the run-up (the investigation
surmised).

At that point, the AP dialed full nose up trim without the pilot's
knowledge. He took off, the aircraft immediately went nose-up, stalled,
then went straight into the runway. The accident killed the married
couple.


Peter,
The instructor next to me helped me along with the stuff. He let me
struggle a little before giving me a hint. I need to go out on my own
now and get comfortable with operation of the KAP-140.
Michelle