Black Square Caravan GNS530/430, Autopilot issue, GTN750 inquiries.
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Hi! I just got the Analog Caravan yesterday and after flying it for the first time, I noticed that the GNS 530 has some issues. It could also be the Autopilot I'm not sure. However, the GNS530 does not behave the way it does in the default aircraft such as the C172 Classic. Do I need to download the GN530/430 from the marketplace? I've heard it is already integrated in the sim now but the unit that came with the Caravan is very different than the one currently in the default sim aircraft in the C172 Classic. My main issue is that autopilot does not intercept the course from HDG mode to NAV mode automatically at all and Approaches are not flyable with the approach mode. The only way to fly ILS is to manually intercept the Localizer.
I also have a question regarding the GTN750 since I have very little experience with it. Do I need to download the PMS50 or TDS GTN750 in order for the GTN750 inside the aircraft to work? Or, the one that came in the plane already is enough? Thanks and please let me know.
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You need to purchase the TDS to integrate. The PMS version has a free version, but it's quite limited. The TDS uses the Garmin trainer and mimics the real thing 100%. You only lose the Wx integration from it. The PMS uses a mock-up of the 750, but it has several features that aren't accurate to the real thing. PMS uses Navigraph and includes weather radar features. I have preferred the TDS because I'm so used to the RXP 750 we had in previous sims. For example, if you select an airway in the real GTN750, it lists the waypoints in alphabetical order. The PMS does not. It also has some other weird things I don't care for, but the PMS does seem to attract more users. The TDS is limited by not having non-US charts or up-to-date AIRACs.
I use TDS in the Caravan and it functions beautifully with AP. I've only had it climb or descend through set altitudes, but I think that is a TDS/sim AP issue. It doesn't do it all the time. It's really my favorite plane to be honest; mainly because it handles so well.
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Thanks for the great answer. As for the GNS 530, now that the Working Title version is included in the simulator, I believe the situation is as follows, but I need to confirm this with WT next time we talk:
The new version of the GNS 530 is merely included in the base simulator package, alongside the original Asobo version. Aircraft developers should now be linking to the new version directly (as I do in my newer aircraft). If an aircraft has not been updated in a while (like my caravan), you will need to download the GNS 530 package from the marketplace, which will simply create the link from older aircraft to the newer GNS software.
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@Black-Square said in Black Square Caravan GNS530/430, Autopilot issue, GTN750 inquiries.:
Thanks for the great answer. As for the GNS 530, now that the Working Title version is included in the simulator, I believe the situation is as follows, but I need to confirm this with WT next time we talk:
The new version of the GNS 530 is merely included in the base simulator package, alongside the original Asobo version. Aircraft developers should now be linking to the new version directly (as I do in my newer aircraft). If an aircraft has not been updated in a while (like my caravan), you will need to download the GNS 530 package from the marketplace, which will simply create the link from older aircraft to the newer GNS software.
@Aladdeen98 This is the correct answer. You need the extra WT 530 from the Marketplace (it's free); it acts as a "pointer" to aircraft developed before SU11 to the new WT avionics, otherwise they will continue to use the outdated Asobo stuff.
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@jmarkows Hi! Thanks for your reply. Does getting the GNS 530 from the marketplace fix the issues I mentioned earlier with the Autopilot NAV, HDG, APR, etc., or is that a whole different issue? If it fixes those, I will get it ASAP. Otherwise, I can wait for @Black-Square to update the Caravan as a whole and then I can test it out again.
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@jmarkows Howdy! After getting the WT GNS530/430 from the marketplace, I've been testing out the Caravan for the last few days doing different flights. The GNS530 is now working as it should, but I've found several issues with the aircraft in different areas. I'm writing them down below.
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In 3 out of 8 flights, where I started the sim and made a flight plan through the World map and spawned, the flight plan didn't load into the GNS530/430 and at the same time when that happens, the Autopilot does not work at all, even when a flight plan is manually put into the GPS. The only way to resolve this is to return to the main menu and try again. This happens randomly and I couldn't reproduce the issue every time.
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If the GPS units are switched after spawning into the world, the flightplan gets erased and after that, the Autopilot stops working as well, as mentioned in #1.
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When shooting an Approach with Vertical Guidance (ILS/Rnav LPV), the autopilot follows the glideslope perfectly until about 500-600 ft AGL then starts to drop below the glidepath and levels off at 200-300 ft AGL, then tries to capture the glidepath again after some time and slowly starts descending at about 200 ft/min. This is very unusual and I'm not sure if this aircraft is meant to be like this or not. But I've tested this out multiple times with different approaches at different airports and had the same result.
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The Landing Lights at night are very dimmed and it becomes very difficult to see outside at night. The Taxi Lights is not working for me.
So far I've found these problems. Other than that, this aircraft handles beautifully and feels amazing to hand-fly during takeoff and landing. I hope @Black-Square can take a look at those issues and fix them very soon.
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Issue 2 is something that was introduced to the WT avionics during SU14, and likely something we will need to wait until SU15 for an official fix. Black Square has a minor code change you can apply to the .js files (instructions in the linked post) to fix it in the mean time: https://community.justflight.com/post/25362
It may also solve issue 1.
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I am still having issues with the GNS 530 blocking the autopilot from functioning in the Baron 58 product. Just got the product to find that I can't use the GN 530. If I have the 530 selected, TOGA doesn't work to engage the FD's and the autopilot when engaged doesn't respond to any mod selected, e.g. heading. I love to fly with the GNS 530, is there a way to make the baron 58 work with it otherwise I am really sorry but I will have to refund :(.
Have submitted a tickeet with JF too. I also got the Bonanza and I am worried it's going to have the same issue?
Cheers,
Kieran. -
Did you make the change to the GNS530 javascript file that is described above? I did finally receive confirmation from Working Title that this will be fixed permanently in Sim Update 15. If you made that change, and you are still having difficulties, it's like the result of a GPS addon incompatibility or outdated file in your community folder. The good news is that JF tech support has not encountered any GPS or Autopilot issue in my aircraft that they have not been able to solve. The first step is usually just trying the aircraft with a completely clean community folder to rule out as many potential conflicts as possible.
As for the Go-Around button, it's up to Working Title to implement this correctly, and I do not believe that have yet. I will add this to my list for them to consider in a reply today.
Please let me know how this goes for you, because there is no reason that we cannot get you a perfectly functioning Baron and Bonanza to enjoy, asap.
