Liberty XL2

DigiTrak Autopilot and VisionTech Digital Engine Display

DigiTrak Autopilot Manual

Standard Disclaimer
This manual is intended for recreational use in Microsoft Flight Simulation 2004 ONLY and may NOT be
used in any Real World Aviation application. The authors are not responsible for errors or omissions.

Eaglesoft Development Group

Liberty XL2

DigiTrak Autopilot and VisionTech Digital Engine Display

DigiTrak Autopilot Manual

The DigiTrak autopilot can be defined as being an orthogonal rate system. This means that
gyroscopic rate sensors are installed so as to sense motion about each of the major axes (roll,
yaw, and pitch). These sensors generate the fast signal responses necessary to create an
autopilot with the best possible dynamic performance.
To fly an aircraft well about the axis controlled by the ailerons, velocity of aileron movement
must be directly proportional to the rate of roll for small movement. This means that aileron
position corrections do not lag behind motion of the craft about the roll axis. Aileron control
systems that use a turn coordinator, which senses twice as much azimuth as roll rate, cannot
do this. Instead, in turbulence, yaw disturbances cause undesired aileron movement. In some
aircraft this effect is so severe that the controls may even move momentarily in the wrong
direction.
The challenge at DigiTrak is to create, beyond question, systems with the very best dynamic
performance availablesystems that need not be disengaged in turbulence, but instead
provide function when most needed. The complete DigiTrak flight control system combines
within a single panel-mounted programmer/computer package which includes all the electronic
and sensing elements needed for the roll and pitch functions and interfaces to a rate-gyrocontrolled yaw damper.
Basic directional control is provided by digital selection of a GPS track to be flown. This
replaces heading selection on the DG, and eliminates drift as well as crosswind correction. In
the GPS steering mode of operation, the system responds to digital guidance information so as
to fly a complex navigation program.
The vertical portion of the system contains a pressure signal source for altitude and vertical
speed information, an airspeed signal source, and a high performance pitch rate gyro. These
signals are combined to provide performance equal to that of the most expensive autopilots.
Also by having airspeed information the system is stall proof. It is expected that other systems
will soon be coming out with this same feature.
For any set of features all DigiTrak computers are identical. Servos likewise are identical in
velocity response. Servos do differ according to total torque required. By providing setup
functions in the programmer for system activity and torque, one DigiTrak programmer-servo
combination can fly any aircraft.
As a starting point in understanding how to operate the DigiTrak system, the following
describes the presentation of data, the operating controls, and the procedures for selecting
modes of operation.

Eaglesoft Development Group

Liberty XL2

DigiTrak Autopilot and VisionTech Digital Engine Display

DigiTrak Autopilot Manual

This display normally shows operating modes and associated numerical data. When displaying
operating modes, the left side shows lateral data and the right side shows vertical data. (See
figure below.) The upper left display labeled TRK shows the electronic DG slaved to GPS track
with a digital track in degrees. The lower left display labeled HDG, CRS or GPSS shows the
selected direction and mode of flight. The upper right shows whether or not the unit is in the
altitude hold mode. The lower right display shows selected vertical speed or whether the
autopilot is on or off.

There are only two pushbutton controls and one knob with center push to control the entire
unit, which makes it quite simple to control.
ALT Turns Altitude Capture On and Off. When in ALT Mode, roll steering is not coupled, so
full authority for normal turn and bank operations remains available.
MODE Cycles through the following modes as indicated by the underlined cursor:
ALT Press the center knob to engage/disengage the
Autopilot
HDG Use the round knob to set the desired heading,
press center of knob to engage mode. When mode is
active, a small + will be displayed
CRS Use the round knob to set the desired course,
press center of knob to engage mode. When mode is
active, a small + will be displayed.

Eaglesoft Development Group

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Liberty XL2

DigiTrak Autopilot and VisionTech Digital Engine Display

DigiTrak Autopilot Manual

SVS1 Select Vertical Speed. Turn the knob to set the
desired Vertical Speed and the aircraft will climb or
descend at that rate until told to do otherwise. When
approaching the desired altitude, press the knob to
capture the current altitude automatically.
GPSS Press the center knob to engage GPS #1
coupling to the roll steering axis. When mode is active, a
small + will be displayed.
NOTE: GPSS mode must be used along in conjunction
with CRS mode in order to be active!
SVS2 Select Vertical Speed. For convenience, a second
SVS entry mode is enabled. Operation is identical to the
above description.

Additional Notes:
At this point in development, the Liberty XL2 does not even have an autopilot certified for use.
Based on discussions with the good folks at Liberty, we at Eaglesoft have modeled the physical
appearance and features of whichever autopilot they decide to use in the actual aircraft. Our
representation is based upon the Digiflight-IIVSG manufactured by TRUTRAK FLIGHT
SYSTEMS, www.trutrakflightsystems.com a supplier of fine autopilots for experimental class
aircraft.

Eaglesoft Development Group

4

Liberty XL2

DigiTrak Autopilot and VisionTech Digital Engine Display

Vision Tech Manual

The Vision Microsystems Vision Tech digital engine display gauge is largely self-explanatory.
All critical engine systems are monitored and reported on this single, large, easy to read
instrument.
Due to limitations in Flight Simulator 9, the only active function for this display is the
CHT/EGT button located under the display screen. Activating the EGT reporting function will
display a digital readout of the average exhaust gas temperature in degrees Fahrenheit, along
with a moving lozenge ladder for each of the four cylinders.

Eaglesoft Development Group

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