Not to derail the thread, but do you get GPSS with this setup?
Ok, this is a bit of a necro-thread, but I need someone to help sort out a confusing integration problem that is very similar to what is discussed here.
Scenario:
Panel consists of a Garmin 430w GPS, Aspen EFD1000 Pro and TruTrak Vizion PMA autopilot (the 3" one, if it matters).
There is a toggle switch in the panel that allows coupling of either the Aspen or the Garmin to the TruTrak.
The problem:
Documentation in the TruTrak manual states that when in Aspen mode, the TruTrak will take heading bug and GPSS data passed through. Documentation in the Aspen manual says that user can press the GPSS menu button on the aspen to enable GPSS data to be passed through to the autopilot (as HDG data, I think). If you disable the GPSS button, the heading bug will be used to command the autopilot.
Great. That is pretty slick. That means that I can have a flight plan on the 430w sending data to the Aspen. With the Aspen in GPSS mode and the TruTrak in Aspen mode, the TruTrak will fly the 430w track and do turn anticipation and all that good stuff. When I get vectors from ATC and need to use the heading bug on the Aspen, all I need to do is press the GPSS button and now I'm sending the heading bug info to the TruTrak. Vice versa when I want to go back to flying the flight plan - just hit that handy GPSS button on the Aspen.
Well, that's not how things are working. The GPSS key is grayed out and can't be pressed. I have to use a toggle switch on the panel to couple the TruTrak directly to the 430w. Now don't get me wrong - this does work and it works well. But when I want to fly a heading now I need to flip a toggle switch and press the mode button on the TruTrak to get out of GPSS mode?
That is not good. The docs in both the TruTrak and the Aspen say if I'm connected via a ARINC 429 bus, I can pass through GPSS commands to an autopilot.
I talked to both TruTrak support and Aspen support and they told me that the systems are working by design - that since the 430w outputs GPSS data over 429 that there is no need for the passthrough and using the toggle switch is the appropriate thing to do. This makes no sense.
I'm grasping, here. But has anyone else experienced this with a similar setup? Again, it's a Garmin 430w, Aspen EFD 1000 Pro and TruTrak Vizion.
Thanks.