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Old 12-22-2014 | 01:07 PM
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stevekott
 
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From: yorba linda, CA
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Originally Posted by Ivan V
Ultimate Jets Sells an "ASSI" device that is exactly what you are looking for. It uses a Pitot tube to set up an auto-throttle. It is made by Corsten Groen in Europe and they work great. I have two of them.
My electronics knowledge is fairly limited, so if I understand it correctly I would need an ASSI gadget and a more modern radio to control air speed instead of engine throttle.
Ivan
Well ... sort of. You will need a limited knowledge of hooking up the device via a USB cable and running the software to set up your desired airspeeds based on flap (or any other channel) settings. I don't know how modern you radio needs to be but you will need an available channel with a 3 position switch. If you have an 18mz or Fasstest Receiver you will be able to hear call outs of the airspeed into an ear bud (along with all the engine parameters as desired). There is also a new Android Phone app that will bring all of the turbine and airspeed information into a smartphone with with most 'old school' non-telemetry radios.

You would like to designate a 3 position switch to engage and dis-engage. Position one .. Disengaged Throttle control as usual. Mid position .. Throttle control as usual but the output for the Red and Green indicator lights (Airspeed Lights) are active. Position 3 .. Device is armed and will become active once the Throttle is dropped to 0. It will stay engaged until the throttle is raised above 0 or the 3 position switch is flipped from position 3.

Airspeed set points can be programmed to up to 5 different flap positions or can be assigned to a knob or slider.

I would recommend setting up the bright LED's first and practicing a few approaches using those to guide your approach. Then try engaging the auto throttle at altitude and fly around to get the hang of engaging and dis-engaging. It's pretty easy. Just be conscious that if you advance the throttle you will disengage auto-throttle and go to manual throttle immediately.

Last edited by stevekott; 12-22-2014 at 01:09 PM.