A/P disconnect - stick or panel?

[AF_Alan]

I put one on stick and another on panel w/in reach of thumb when hand on throttle. Easy to wire in parallel and use whichever is most comfortable at the time.

Good luck

[OLDSAM]

Why not install a multi-button grip, Infinity or similar, and put the ptt, trim, AP disc/CWS, fuel pump, flaps, landing light/wigwag, and anything else you want on it. You can then run your whole pre-landing checklist without removing your hand from the stick. You would have to do some rewiring, from the panel location to the base of the stick.

[Mel]

Originally Posted by OLDSAM

Why not install a multi-button grip, Infinity or similar, and put the ptt, trim, AP disc/CWS, fuel pump, flaps, landing light/wigwag, and anything else you want on it. You can then run your whole pre-landing checklist without removing your hand from the stick. You would have to do some rewiring, from the panel location to the base of the stick.

And don't forget, master, starter, ignition, radio volume, OnStar, and cruise control!

[seattleworm]

Since I like simplicity, I just use the one button stick grip, and put the A/P switch on the panel, close to the throttle control.

[Pat Hatch]

This is one of those areas where personal preference is really the determining factor, but I would make a general point on the autopilot disconnect switch: long ago, I was taught to always have your hand on the stick (yoke) when disconnecting the autopilot, for obvious reasons (at least to me). One way to be sure is to have the disconnect on the stick--that's why I am a proponent.

[OLDSAM]

Exactly, Pat,
There is a practice used in some military flight programs called HOTAS, hands on throttle and stick. The idea is to keep your hands on the throttle and stick as much as possible, particularly during takeoff and landing, hence the concept of having much of the pre-landing checklist items on the grip, such as APD, landing light, trim, ptt, fuel pump, flaps, etc.

[Sam Buchanan]

Originally Posted by Pat Hatch

This is one of those areas where personal preference is really the determining factor, but I would make a general point on the autopilot disconnect switch: long ago, I was taught to always have your hand on the stick (yoke) when disconnecting the autopilot, for obvious reasons (at least to me). One way to be sure is to have the disconnect on the stick--that's why I am a proponent.

That is why my panel mounted switch works very nicely--left hand on stick, right hand on throttle, right index finger on switch.

[RV7Guy]

I'm am wiring my panel on the new 7. My AP disconnect will be on the grip as it was with my first 7. Also, there is no reason you can wire in 2 switches for the same purpose, one on the stick and one on the panel.

After reading the posts, I was a little confused about what the CWS actually accomplishes. I want to be able to disconnect quickly. After reading some of the posts I thought that the CWS would re-engage as soon as you let off the switch/button. I shot an email to Lucas at TT and got the following response.

"It serves both functions. If you press and hold it, the AP will go into CWS mode. Upon release the AP will re-engage. But if you just press and release the switch the AP will disengage. I hope that clears it up."

Cleared it up for me

[Pat Hatch]

Which is yet another reason why I would make the case for having the CWS/disconnect switch on the stick. If you use the Control Wheel Steering function, then it would make sense that it should be on the "control wheel." Typically you would use the CWS function when on autopilot and you momentarily want to take control, such as to deviate around traffic, then give it back to the autopilot.

Also, I would argue that anytime you would encounter a situation that would require an immediate control input (such as a bird, etc.), it would probably be faster to have the disconnect on the stick. Just food for thought.

[sailvi767]

Originally Posted by RV7Guy

I'm am wiring my panel on the new 7. My AP disconnect will be on the grip as it was with my first 7. Also, there is no reason you can wire in 2 switches for the same purpose, one on the stick and one on the panel.

After reading the posts, I was a little confused about what the CWS actually accomplishes. I want to be able to disconnect quickly. After reading some of the posts I thought that the CWS would re-engage as soon as you let off the switch/button. I shot an email to Lucas at TT and got the following response.

"It serves both functions. If you press and hold it, the AP will go into CWS mode. Upon release the AP will re-engage. But if you just press and release the switch the AP will disengage. I hope that clears it up."

Cleared it up for me

Unless I have a different version of the TT that is not correct. If you push and release the autopilot switch it disengages. No issue there. If you push and hold the button down it does the exact same thing. The autopilot disengages. The difference is that when you have held the button down the autopilot will reengage when the button is released. It never goes into a CWS mode. I am not sure why they even call it that. A CWS mode leaves the autopilot engaged and the autopilot and servos are still flying the aircraft. Inputs to the autopilot are made with the stick rather then the EFIS or control head. There is a vastly different feel to a aircraft using a CWS system when engaged and it requires a different control technique.
This is not a slam on the TT autopilot. Initially I did not really want the button on the stick. My partner wanted it there so I agreed. It turns out he is much smarter then me and I find both functions of the button very useful on the stick and would not switch back. I dodged a bird just last week with the button on the stick. Had it been on the panel as in our prior setup my only option would have been to duck. Both the disconnect and poor mans CWS have been getting far more use then I imagined.



George