Dave,
Very interesting, thanks. It never occurred to me to change the Auto Cruise
setting
by means of software alteration. I did it electro-mechanically by adjusting
the coarse micro-switch position until I achieved 4700 rpm at 120 kts cruise.
Actually this task is made simpler by starting from a coarse pitch setting
angle given by Airmaster (as I recall) which puts you near the middle of the
ball-park.
Thereafter only a minor adjustment or two are needed for accuracy.
This method has the safety advantage of making it near-impossible for a
controller/computer
fault to push the pitch too far into the coarse range, making a baulked
landing go-around dangerous (no climb or worse).
I left the Airmaster factory settings unchanged for take-off +/- 5750, climb
+/-5450
and cruise +/-5000. In my mind these settings are analogous to first gear,
second gear, third gear and higher "gears" are achieved by selecting Manual
and beeping with the rocker switch.
Similarly the fine micro-pitch switch in the hub should be set so that when in
manual at about 80 knots it shouldn't be possible to beep with the rocker switch
to push the rpm above 5800, thereby preventing damage to the engine.
I believe that you should regard the computer/controller governed
T/O-Climb-Cruise
settings as "nice to have" but not essential. With the hub Coarse and Fine
micro-switch stops properly set as suggested above, you are then set up to fly
safely in Manual, regardless of software glitches.
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=447913#447913
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