PFD Mirroring
Terry Savage
I have a hard time seeing the main flight data (airspeed, altitude, etc) when I’m flying from the right seat. For training, I want to be able to “mirror” the PFD on the right screen, or at a minimum, get the primary flight data. There’s a “reversionary mode” that the thing goes into automatically if the PFD fails, and the display that provides on the MFD is pretty much exactly what I want. So, I want to tell it to do that, even while the PFD is working normally.
There’s nothing in the manual that says how to do that. Garmin is giving me the run-around so far. Do any of you know how to make it do this, or anything like this?
I think I’ve figured out a way to fool it, which I’ll be testing this morning. I’ll report back!
But, any solutions any of you have found would be greatly appreciated.
Terry C Savage
General Manager, Light Sport Training
Flying Start Aero, Reno, Nevada
http://www.flyingstartaero.com/
Science Fiction Author
Amazon book listing: http://tinyurl.com/4og9uch
Blog: (http://jacksonsuniverse.blogspot.com/)
Twitter: (@Chaosrider2808)
Facebook: (Terry Savage, Incline Village)
Terry Savage
Bad news…I talked to the folks at Garmin directly today, and there’s no software solution. You need to install a physical switch, which is apparently mechanically and electrically easy, but procedurally a pain in the ass.
I’ll keep you posted as developments warrant. The PFD is almost unreadable from the right seat in many lighting conditions, which was obvious during my flight today, and which the Garmin guy acknowledged.
I just hope we can get it fixed before I’m ready to take my CFI checkride…which won’t be long!
Robert DEBAULT
Sent from my iPhone
Terry Savage
I’m sure it would…if we had such a button!
Our C-172, with twin G1000s, has such a button, and it does exactly that. The C-162 does not have such a button. I’ve had several conversations with Garmin, and I’m currently playing telephone tag with an avionics guy in the Cessna supply chain. I expect to have an answer, if not an implemented solution, by the end of the week.
Here’s what I’ve been able to conclude so far (quoted from another thread):
“One of the Garmin guys I talked to said that Cessna has made at least 3 models of the C-162. I checked out in a 2010 model, which didn’t have the 2nd door latch. So, even though it was standard on the 2011 model (and a mandated retrofit for the 2010), I had no idea it existed on ours.
Similarly, as I understand it, the 2012 models don’t have the “single screen” option. They all come with two screens…and quite likely, the reversionary mode button. I’ve still got to confirm that, but it sure sounds that way.
If that’s the case, then (the dealer) should have installed the reversionary mode button when they put in the 2nd display, or at a minimum, told us it was an option, and then we could have said yes (It makes no sense to use it as a trainer without that). But, my guess is, Cessna hasn’t caught up with their own changes, and their instructions for installing the second display “in the field” don’t include installation of the switch.”
Robert: Is yours a 2012 model? Did it come from the factory with two displays? Ours is a 2011, and we had to get the second display installed (along with some other options) when we bought it.
As an interim solution, I’ve determined that the MFD Info page can be reconfigured to display altitude, airspeed, and heading. I don’t think I can get it to provide bank information (rather important for doing steep turns!), but it’s an improvement! I plan to go test this theory later today.
Thx!
Robert Debault
Sent from my iPad
Terry Savage
What model year was it?
That may be the standard configuration on the 2012 model.
Our dealer completely understands, but they need approval from Cessna to make the mod. Garmin says the mod is trivially easy to make, but Cessna needs to approve it. So, we’ll be hitting up Cessna Customer Service today. Stay tuned! I’ve also gotten confirmation that other people have complained about the (in)visibility of the PFD from the right seat.
My attempt to get what I needed on the MFD Info page was, at best, a qualified success. I was able to get altitude, which was enormously helpful. Ground speed is better than nothing, but not very useful for pattern work. I couldn’t get the Wx Wind function to work, since I could then use the two to get sort of get airspeed. Sort of. Did you know that a Skycatcher in level flight at 7000 ft at 2500 RPM cruises at Mach 0.16? You do now! Another decimal place displayed and that might have been useful, but just a curiosity as is. Ground track is actual a better approximation for heading than I thought it was going to be, but that’s obviously wind dependent. The VSI feature was helpful.
Bottom line is the MFD Info page is really designed for navigation use, and it doesn’t work well to try to pound it to fit into the role of displaying flight data.
However, the MFD is clearly visible from both seats. I suspect if I pull the circuit breaker on the PFD, I’ll get just what I want on the MFD, and it will be easily visible to both pilots. Someone Who Would Know suggested I’d lose the GPS info by doing that, but for this purpose, that doesn’t matter. I’ll be testing this this afternoon. If it works, it may be enough for me to limp along until the paperwork is approved to do the technically easy real fix.
Terry Savage
No luck with the second attempted fix. There’s a single circuit breaker for the PFD/MFD. If you pull it, the MFD goes dark, and the PFD goes into reversionary mode…exactly the opposite of the desired effect. And, surprisingly, when you do that, the avionics cooling fan turns off (I tested it on the ground first, of course). So, that approach was a total failure.
I just heard that the FAA isn’t going to let Designated Pilot Examiners test CFI candidates anymore; that those tests will now be done only by the FAA. Anyone know anything more about that?
The saga continues!
Terry C Savage
General Manager, Light Sport Training
Flying Start Aero, Reno, Nevada
http://www.flyingstartaero.com/
Science Fiction Author
Amazon book listing: http://tinyurl.com/4og9uch
Blog: (http://jacksonsuniverse.blogspot.com/)
Twitter: (@Chaosrider2808)
Facebook: (Terry Savage, Incline Village)
From: skycatc...@googlegroups.com [mailto:skycatc...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Terry Savage
Sent: Monday, May 07, 2012 9:28 AM
To: skycatc...@googlegroups.com
Cc: 'John B. Brown'
Subject: RE: PFD Mirroring
Terry Savage
I talked to Cessna Customer Service today. Very helpful folks. The individual I talked to said they would check it out, and get back to me by the end of the day.
Updates as developments warrant!