for Taguilo - Request for KAP 140 support

[fppilot]

From the outset since I started logging hours in the 310R Redux I have had trouble with the KAP 140 autopilot disengaging at what appeared to be at random. For several flights early on a year or so ago, it appeared to occur about two hours into flights. This past week I closely watched some Youtube KAP 140 video tutorials and noted that changing some avionics settings or applying some control inputs can cause the real world KAP 140 to first enunciate an issue, providing time to react. Then if not overridden, to disengage. That raised my curiosity, so I logged some fresh hours in the Redux to observe.

On a relatively short flight from Bloomington, Indiana (kBMG), to Aurora, Illinois (KARR), I experienced two times when the KAP 140 disengaged. I did not catch it until after the fact in both instances as I heard no warning tone. So I will ask for specific support for that issue. The audible annunciation, or warning tone, is unusually low in volume. I compared it to the level of the AP warning in the Milviz B55 and the Redux volume is only a fraction of that in the B55, and in the original Milviz 310 as well.

The next day I completed my return flight. During the return flight I did at a turn in my route notice the KAP 140 begin a flashing annunciation, then disconnect. I had made no changes to my flight plan or autopilot button selections, but I noted that I had bumped the yoke with my left hand. Upon that I started to experiment and believe I found my issue.

I am using a Saitek Pro Cessna Yoke. The yoke has a 4 way rocker switch on the left handle, under the left thumb location. I use the L to R function of that rocker switch to pan views in and out, mostly in the virtual cockpit. I use the vertical or up/down rocker of that switch in the 301C Redux to apply pitch-trim. That rocker switch is not super tight and does not reliably separate the functions of its two axis, especially when at rest at the mid point position for both axis. That four-way rocker is sloppy in the middle. It is not through wear, just the way it is made.

What I found was that unless I was very very careful when using the L to R function of that four way rocker switch to zoom view, I could inadvertently signal the other axis: elevator trim. It appears that even the shortest signal to the trim axis causes the KAP 140 to initiate a disengage. I understand that applying trim in the real world will cause this from a KAP 140, but I would think it should take more than an inadvertent micro-second bump.

There is no way I can find to adjust the sensitivity or null zone of the hat switch. I need the trim rocker to be functional during maneuvering flight and during landing, so I do not wish to disable it. So what I would like to inquire about is if there is some other method within the KAP 140 coding to reduce the sensitivity; require a longer signal; or for lack of that, a user-configurable lock out of trim switch as an influence to the KAP 140?

Finally, on the issue of not catching these disengage annunciations as they occur, another issue I noted is that in the Redux the audible warning from the KAP 140 that it is encountering an exception is very low volume compared to engine and environmental sound thresholds. I spent about an hour flying around, adjusting my various FSX sound levels, trying to get a more significant disengage warning from the KAP 140. I was able to gain some, but I do not believe enough. Are you able to provide an increase in the warning's sound level? The current warning level is a fraction of that for your BE55 and original 310R, and a fraction of the level of all of my other payware aircraft.
Best regards,
Frank (fppilot)

[Taguilo]

Hi Frank,
Please try these files
Unzip MV_KAP140.zip to a folder of your choice.
Copy MV_KAP140Display.xml in panel\KAP140_HSI folder. Please make a backup of the previous file.
Copy SND23.wav in panel\C310R_Sounds folder. Please make a backup of the previous file.

Thanks!
Tomas

MV_KAP140.zip

(82.11 KiB) Downloaded 138 times

[ThomasAH]

An alternative solution could be my LUA script for FSUIPC:
https://forum.simflight.com/topic/72492 ... ent-510541

I haven't adjusted it for the C310 Redux yet, but it already supports doing different things if the autopilot is engaged, e.g. changing AP pitch or VS instead of the usual trim action.

[fppilot]

Thank you Tomas, I will try those late this week. Not experienced with what to do with the LUA script.

[fppilot]

Did late today get a chance to load the Redux after these two mods. Checked out the arm/disarm tone and it is much much better. Gets attention now like it should!

When I fly later in the week, what am I watching for the updated "MV_KAP140Display.xml" to accomplish?

[Taguilo]

AP should now disconnect only after a long press of pitch trim

Tomas

[fppilot]

AP should now disconnect only after a long press of pitch trim
Tomas

Great! cannot wait to try it! Much the best, Tomas!

[fppilot]

Hi Tomas,
Was able to complete a 3.5 hour flight yesterday in the Redux and finally, not once did the KAP 140 disconnect on me. Great improvement. I played around with my Saitek's 4 way rocker later and found it will still disconnect, but seems it will not happen so inadvertently as was happening. The longer interrupt is great!

The AP disconnect alarm is now attention-getting, as it should be. Also a great improvement!

I would like to make one additional request. Can you produce a sound file that also provides an increase in the Altitude alert? The tones that sound when passing through 1,000 feet and 200 feet on the way to an armed altitude? That tone is also barely noticeable. Does not need to be as intense as the disconnect warning tone, but on my system needs to be more obvious. I was needing to test around with it and really concentrate just to hear it at all.

Thanks,
Frank

[Stew]

"I would like to make one additional request. Can you produce a sound file that also provides an increase in the Altitude alert? The tones that sound when passing through 1,000 feet and 200 feet on the way to an armed altitude?"

I would also like to see an improvement to the altitude alert tone. I've noticed it is much quieter compared to others' KAP 140 alerts, notably A2A's.

[fppilot]

"I would like to make one additional request. Can you produce a sound file that also provides an increase in the Altitude alert? The tones that sound when passing through 1,000 feet and 200 feet on the way to an armed altitude?"

I would also like to see an improvement to the altitude alert tone. I've noticed it is much quieter compared to others' KAP 140 alerts, notably A2A's.

Stew,
Perhaps this needs to be a new topic. He may not be digging back in to older topics once he has satisfied the original request. And the corresponding alert from the MIlviz B55 is another example of a good working tone level.
-Frank

[Stew]

"I would like to make one additional request. Can you produce a sound file that also provides an increase in the Altitude alert? The tones that sound when passing through 1,000 feet and 200 feet on the way to an armed altitude?"

I would also like to see an improvement to the altitude alert tone. I've noticed it is much quieter compared to others' KAP 140 alerts, notably A2A's.

Stew,
Perhaps this needs to be a new topic. He may not be digging back in to older topics once he has satisfied the original request. And the corresponding alert from the MIlviz B55 is another example of a good working tone level.
-Frank

I agree, Frank. I was echoing your original request, but will post a new request.
Stew