EC-135/Aircraft and Systems Description

SECTION 7. AIRCRAFT AND SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION

1 AUTOPILOT

The autopliot, or AFCS (Automatic Flight Control System), can be used to reduce pilot workload during long flights or in rescue situations. The AFCS has modes to "hold" airspeed, heading, altitude, vertical speed, or a combination of these. You can use the buttons on the device, or one of the following chat commands:

Command	Description
ap IAS	Toggle airspeed hold
ap ALT	Toggle altitude hold
ap HDG	Toggle heading hold
ap V/S	Toggle vertical speed hold
ap HVR	Enter autohover mode
ap SEL	Change "selected" parameter
ap +	Increase value of selected parameter
ap -	Decrease value of selected parameter
ap DIS	Disconnect autopilot
ap IAS n	Set the target airspeed to n
ap HDG n	Set the target heading to n
ap L n	Set the target heading left by n degrees
ap R n	Set the target heading right by n degrees
ap ALT n	Set the target altitude to n
ap V/S n	Set the target vertical speed to n

Autopilot will also disconnect when rotor rpm is less than 80% or primary power is lost. Note than when airspeed is less than 40 knots, heading hold will be accomplished with pedals, while when airspeed is greater than 40 knots, heading is controlled with lateral cyclic.

1.1 Takeoff with autopilot

Center controls and press the HVR button to enable autohover. The target altitude will be set to the current altitude. Change the target altitude to a value above the current value, and the aircraft will automatically lift into a hover at the selected altitude.

1.2 Landing with autopilot

From a hover, enter an altitude below the ground level (e.g. 0). The aircraft will descent and land lowering collective when it touches the ground. You may also enter a negative value for the vertical speed with the same result.