Auto pilot flying a back course approach

[Douglas]

Have a 350 with G1000. CANNOT get the auto pilot to fly the back course approach at my airport (MLB) despite repeated calls to Garmin. Any suggestions or anyone else having a similar problem.

Douglas Morrison
358 DM
Melbourne, FL

[Don Wills]

Works fine on my G1000. I actually had to fly it for my instrument checkride. You have to press NAV, not APR because it is a non-precision approach.

[Douglas]

Pressing Nav was the latest hint that Garmin gave me and tried it last night buts till no dice. Am going out again today to see what I can figure out

[ejm]

I saw in the G1000 cockpit manual that you should set the front course on the HSI (G1000 CDI) during a BC departure or approach. Could this be it?

For reference:

ftp://publicftp.flycolumbia.com/Garmin%20Information/G1000_Columbia_CockpitReferenceGuide.pdf

See page 6-11

... Erik

[Douglas]

THANKS to all for your suggestions. I do believe I have tried them all to no avail. My next step is to get the rep over here and see if he can make it work and if so, what I am doing wrong.

Douglas

[CammiePatch]

• Make sure you have the HSI set to the Localizer.
• You have to be within 105 degrees of the inbound heading for the "BC" annuciator to display when the AP is activated.
• When you have been given that final vector to intercept final (I'm assuming vectors and that you have the AP set to HDG mode), set the HDG bug to that vector, then press "NAV" on the autopilot. It will fly that heading and then will turn to intercept final. The GFC 700 is a beautiful thing.
• As stated earlier, be sure to put the head of the HSI needle on the front course heading.

I really doubt you have an equipment problem... if you would like, you can call me and we can discuss it more. 208-869-6459
Cammie
Columbia Instrutor
Master Instructor
Gold Seal
Yadda Yadda
Sometimes I even sing while instructing
www.glasscockpitaviation.com

[Douglas]

Cammie, THANKS for your step by step. Will try it this afternoon and see what happens. Could it be that turning on, arming the approach to soon could be a problem?

[CammiePatch]

The only problem I can think of with arming an approach too soon is that the AP will only fly the heading bug until it approaches the final approach course, at that point it will being intercepting it. If you are not cleared to intercept the final course, this will be a problem.