Attitude Issues
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 11:28 am
Hello All,
I have a 1st generation Sport WS in a Midget Mustang. I've been struggling with the attitude indication since the aircraft's first flight in 2009. The attitude information seems reliable at times. Then, just as I start to feel that its working well, it will show some crazy indication while the plane is just cruising along straight and level. I have never noticed a problem when i'm maneuvering the plane, it only seems to be an issue in steady state.
I've aligned the magnetometer orientation with the EFIS very carefully and confirmed it countless times. I've also completed all of the magnetometer location interference exercises that GRT describes and the results are quite good. I updated the software several times, but it never had any impact.
I have received some technical support from GRT that was focused on the location of the magnetometer. It is located in the top of the fuselage (behind my head about 2 feet). I have been somewhat resistant to completely relocating it because I have so few options and the current location was carefully planned to comply with all the guidelines when the plane was being built. It's a small aircraft. The wings are only 7 feet long. Finding a spot that is clear of landing gear torque tubes, aileron control rods, counterweights and fuel looks to be very challenging. If I really thought relocating the magnetometer would solve the issue, I would.
My Midget is one of a matching pair. My dad's plane and mine are nearly identical. His magnetometer location is the same as mine and his attitude indication is rock solid. We have swapped our sport units and magnetometers. The problem stays with my airframe.
Has anyone had an attitude problem that was solved by doing something other than moving the magnetometer? I remember others struggling with similar issues on the old Yahoo forum, but I never noted any solutions.
Any thoughts?
I have a 1st generation Sport WS in a Midget Mustang. I've been struggling with the attitude indication since the aircraft's first flight in 2009. The attitude information seems reliable at times. Then, just as I start to feel that its working well, it will show some crazy indication while the plane is just cruising along straight and level. I have never noticed a problem when i'm maneuvering the plane, it only seems to be an issue in steady state.
I've aligned the magnetometer orientation with the EFIS very carefully and confirmed it countless times. I've also completed all of the magnetometer location interference exercises that GRT describes and the results are quite good. I updated the software several times, but it never had any impact.
I have received some technical support from GRT that was focused on the location of the magnetometer. It is located in the top of the fuselage (behind my head about 2 feet). I have been somewhat resistant to completely relocating it because I have so few options and the current location was carefully planned to comply with all the guidelines when the plane was being built. It's a small aircraft. The wings are only 7 feet long. Finding a spot that is clear of landing gear torque tubes, aileron control rods, counterweights and fuel looks to be very challenging. If I really thought relocating the magnetometer would solve the issue, I would.
My Midget is one of a matching pair. My dad's plane and mine are nearly identical. His magnetometer location is the same as mine and his attitude indication is rock solid. We have swapped our sport units and magnetometers. The problem stays with my airframe.
Has anyone had an attitude problem that was solved by doing something other than moving the magnetometer? I remember others struggling with similar issues on the old Yahoo forum, but I never noted any solutions.
Any thoughts?