 |
Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
paula.alvary(at)verizon.n
Guest
|
 Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:35 am Post subject: Tru Trak ADI |
 |
|
I've noticed several subscribers here use the TruTrak ADI. I once talked with a company rep and I still have questions. I'm hoping some of you here can set me right.
I need to find a replacement for my vacuum attitude indicator. I want a dedicated instrument, not an EFIS, and have been vacillating between the TruTrak and the MGL Attitude indicator (AV2/SP4) units. The MGL unit operates exactly like a traditional (absolute angle) attitude indicator and the inertial sensors seem to be very reliable. The TruTrak has a great display and can later be upgraded to an autopilot. However, it has some quirks that make it different from a traditional attitude indicator.
From what I understand, pitch information is only briefly displayed as an absolute angle and mostly is sustained by vertical airspeed information. Consequently, it would be possible, for example, to be flying slowly, pitch up without loosing altitude with the unit showing a level attitude. Maybe I'm too nervous, but if I was in clouds in this attitude I would want to know it.
As for bank information, the TruTrak shows rate of change of bank angle, not absolute bank angle. So conceivably, one could be in a forward slip (not turning), but in a constant bank angle with the unit showing level flight.
TruTrak says that the device is actually better/safer in the clouds than a conventional attitude inidicator.
So my questions are:
Do you like andd depend on your TruTrak ADI?
Can the TruTrak entirely replace the traditional attitude indicator/horizon?
Am I properly understanding how the pitch and bank display operates?
--Jose
[quote][b]
| | - The Matronics AeroElectric-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
mlas(at)cox.net
Guest
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 11:39 am Post subject: Tru Trak ADI |
|
|
Jose,
I will give you my best understanding of the Trutrak ADI vs. a standard attitude indicator. I have flown several that have the Trutrak ADI but I have not proactively used it (most of these airplanes had and EFIS or other primary instrument system). The Trutrak ADI seems easy to use but I don’t know how well it would work as a primary unit for say being vectored of flying instrument transitions. I think the Trutrak ADI was designed to be a backup unit that would help you keep the dirty side down and still have confidence in flying vs. a turn and bank or turn coordinator. The roll information on the TT ADI is direct roll angle up to 45deg of zero, after that you have direction arrows. Most new attitude indicators will roll 360 degrees. Pitch on the TT ADI is direct pitch when not near level. When you near level it uses static information to figure vertical speed. This helps hold altitude without the use of an altimeter. As for you thought about the slip scenario, the unit shows angle not rate, so you would see that bank angle.
Q1-A. I would only use it as a backup.
Q2-A. Mostly no! It is limited to 45deg of bank and about 15 deg of pitch and requires functioning pitot static. The unit is not certified to any standard but I think it would make a good back-up.
Q3-A. Explained above!
Mike
--
| | - The Matronics AeroElectric-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dennis.glaeser(at)eds.com
Guest
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 12:01 pm Post subject: Tru Trak ADI |
|
|
I have an ADI Pilot II as my autopilot and attitude backup for my GRT
Sport. It operates as you noted below regarding pitch and bank in those
unusual situations. It is not a true 'attitude' indicator, it tells you
what the airplane is doing with respect to altitude and heading. I find
it very easy to use to control the plane (which is the ultimate
requirement). I only have 50 hours on my plane, but TT has a great
reputation for dependability.
I'm a CFII, and using an ADI as the primary attitude instrument would
require a bit of adjustment due to the special situations you've noted,
however after a few hours of use I'd bet you would be quite comfortable
with it. If you didn't recognize that you were flying slowly, or in a
slip/skid situation, I'd contend that the instruments you're looking at
are not the big problem  Hopefully you can find someone nearby that
has an ADI that you can see and maybe even fly.
Dennis Glaeser
RV7A
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
I've noticed several subscribers here use the TruTrak ADI. I once talked
with a company rep and I still have questions. I'm hoping some of you
here can set me right.
I need to find a replacement for my vacuum attitude indicator. I want a
dedicated instrument, not an EFIS, and have been vacillating between the
TruTrak and the MGL Attitude indicator (AV2/SP4) units. The MGL unit
operates exactly like a traditional (absolute angle) attitude indicator
and the inertial sensors seem to be very reliable. The TruTrak has a
great display and can later be upgraded to an autopilot. However, it has
some quirks that make it different from a traditional attitude
indicator.
| Quote: | From what I understand, pitch information is only briefly displayed as
an absolute angle and mostly is sustained by vertical airspeed
|
information. Consequently, it would be possible, for example, to be
flying slowly, pitch up without loosing altitude with the unit showing a
level attitude. Maybe I'm too nervous, but if I was in clouds in this
attitude I would want to know it.
As for bank information, the TruTrak shows rate of change of bank angle,
not absolute bank angle. So conceivably, one could be in a forward slip
(not turning), but in a constant bank angle with the unit showing level
flight.
TruTrak says that the device is actually better/safer in the clouds than
a conventional attitude inidicator.
So my questions are:
Do you like andd depend on your TruTrak ADI?
Can the TruTrak entirely replace the traditional attitude
indicator/horizon?
Am I properly understanding how the pitch and bank display operates?
--Jose
| | - The Matronics AeroElectric-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
Get Email Distribution Too!
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
