The autopilot systems available in general aviation aircraft can vary quite a lot. There are things you need to be careful with, specifically in this case, when it comes to climbing. My experience flying with the G1000 autopilot system is limited, although I do really enjoy using it. The embedded video below covers the G1000 Autopilot Vertical Speed vs Flight Level Change for Climbing.
Are autopilot systems all the same?
Autopilot systems are not all the same. I wanted to bring the topic of using the autopilot to climb to your attention. The purpose is to try and prevent you from getting yourself into a dangerous situation. This may be especially important if you start flying aircraft with older autopilot systems but were taught using a newer autopilot system.
A common older autopilot system I’ve come across is the KAP140 autopilot. It’s not dangerous or unreliable, it’s actually very good based on my own experience. However, you need to be aware of the KAP140 autopilot climb limitations. Actually it applies to any autopilot system that only has Vertical Speed (VS) as an option for climbing. Not all autopilot systems have Flight Level Change (FLC) as an option for climbing.
How to prevent the autopilot from stalling the aircraft
The way it was taught to me keeps it very safe and simple. If you are using an autopilot with FLC as an option, use FLC for climbing and VS for descending. Yes, it is that simple.
autopilots are not very smart, they do what they are programmed to do.
As you saw in the video, FLC maintains a specific set speed. If you set the FLC to the best rate of climb (Vy), the aircraft will not stall. The rate of climb will eventually drop off to zero and maintain level flight. That’s the worst case scenario using FLC to climb.
If using VS to climb but fail to reduce the rate of climb, the more you climb, the aircraft will eventually stall. Like I stated in the video, autopilots are not very smart, they do what they are programmed to do.
All I can ask when using the autopilot VS for climbing, be aware of the potential for the autopilot to stall your aircraft if your not paying close attention.
If you are using an autopilot with FLC as an option, use FLC for climbing and VS for descending. Yes, it is that simple.
Autopilots are a wonderful tool we use to help reduce our inflight workload. This in turn reduces stress levels.
Hopefully you’ve gotten something out of this video; G1000 Autopilot Vertical Speed vs Flight Level Change for Climbing. If you enjoyed the video, please consider liking, commenting and subscribing to the Ground Speed Gaming channel. The learning never ends; Thank-you.
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