RNAV Approach w/ PA-28R?

Midcon113

Hi All,

Been trying to fly an RNAV approach a few times with the PA-28 and while lateral navigation is possible through just coupling the GPS and engaging NAV mode, I'm not getting any vertical indicators on either the HSI or the OBS. I'm thinking that the simulated avionics package doesn't support an RNAV approach? Not worried if that's the case - the plane is older than the GPS system itself after all. Just trying to figure out if there is a way to actually do it and I'm screwing something up. Any thoughts anyone?

Thanks!

Mark

Leadcatcher

@Midcon113 From my understanding from reading the manual, the autopilot does not handle any vertical control, only lateral. On ILS you have to control your altitude though you do get the glide slope indication.

copper

@Leadcatcher said in RNAV Approach w/ PA-28R?:

you do get the glide slope indication

And that is what @Midcon113 is asking for the RNAV approach about. A vertical glideslope indication.
The fact that the autopilot has no vertical control other than the hidden ALT HOLD feature is nothing new of course.

Midcon113

@copper said in RNAV Approach w/ PA-28R?:

@Leadcatcher said in RNAV Approach w/ PA-28R?:

you do get the glide slope indication

And that is what @Midcon113 is asking for the RNAV approach about. A vertical glideslope indication.
The fact that the autopilot has no vertical control other than the hidden ALT HOLD feature is nothing new of course.

Exactly - I don't expect it to fly the glidepath, but I was hoping for at least a glidepath indication. I know "glidepath" and "glideslope" are two different things. And again, if it's a "realism" thing I'm 100% fine with that as well. Just wanting to know if it's not supported at all, or just my user error. Wouldn't be surprised if it's either.

Thanks!

apollon01

https://community.justflight.com/topic/1778/hsi-no-glideslope-indication

I also filed a support ticket to which I got a reply to install v0.2.0. This update does not address the issue however. I replied in this sense and are still waiting for a reaction.

It may be a MSFS thing I am afraid. The default aircraft equipped with similar avionics suite are unable to display glideslope when performing RNAV approach, even though the analogue C172 tracks it down flawlessly when on autopilot.

Midcon113

@apollon01 said in RNAV Approach w/ PA-28R?:

https://community.justflight.com/topic/1778/hsi-no-glideslope-indication

I also filed a support ticket to which I got a reply to install v0.2.0. This update does not address the issue however. I replied in this sense and are still waiting for a reaction.

It may be a MSFS thing I am afraid. The default aircraft equipped with similar avionics suite are unable to display glideslope when performing RNAV approach, even though the analogue C172 tracks it down flawlessly when on autopilot.

Thanks @apollon01! My buddy flies the 208 with the WT G1000 mod and flies pretty good RNAVs all the time, but that might be more due to the WT programming than anything else. I appreciate the input and please share any feedback you get.

apollon01

Hi Mark, I will, no worries.

The G1000 does not have a problem with displaying the glideslope on RNAV approaches but this issue seems to be related to analogue instruments slaved to the GPS.

Let's wait for the support team reply.

Martyn

Hi all,

I'm currently trying to figure out a way to display vertical guidance for RNAV approaches. Not having much luck so far with the data that we'd normally use but hopefully I can figure something out for the next update.

Thanks,
Martyn

Martyn

Managed to find a suitable solution so this feature will be added in the next update.

Midcon113

@Martyn said in RNAV Approach w/ PA-28R?:

Managed to find a suitable solution so this feature will be added in the next update.

Awesome - thank you!!

apollon01

@Martyn that is a fantastic news. Thank you.

apollon01

Just a heads-up: the GS needle on VOR1 and the GS indicator on the HSI now work when performing a RNAV approach (0.3.0 update).

Thanks JustFlight!

sluflyer06

@apollon01 Should the lateral needle move when doing a GPS Rnav approach? My lateral is always centered, and my glidepath doesn't care if i'm 50 miles or 3 miles from the airport, it seems to pretend it's always on final, i can descend or ascend 100 miles away and my vertical guidance needle will go up and down, I'm sure it's user error but I cannot figure out how to just going from A to B, and then culminate into an RNAV approach properly.

Martyn

The next update will change the CDI logic so that it now shows the deviation from the GPS track, allowing for use with RNAV approaches so you get the full pseudo ILS with both vertical and lateral deviation guidance.

captain744

@Martyn if the plane is equipped with the garmin 530 and set for an RNAV approach will the plane then be able to automatically follow the RNAV glide slope as well as the localizer when using the GPS mode?
Does a garmin 530 have/use its own built in vertical/lateral control system or is it still coupled to the aircraft’s autopilot system.

Martyn

@captain744 said in RNAV Approach w/ PA-28R?:

@Martyn if the plane is equipped with the garmin 530 and set for an RNAV approach will the plane then be able to automatically follow the RNAV glide slope as well as the localizer when using the GPS mode?
Does a garmin 530 have/use its own built in vertical/lateral control system or is it still coupled to the aircraft’s autopilot system.

It's still limited by the autopilot which only provides roll control (apart from the hidden altitude hold clickspot) so unfortunately it won't track the glideslope automatically. You'll need to use the navigation hold mode to track the RNAV 'localiser' and then manually control pitch to track the glideslope.