jjsemperfi Posted February 16, 2014 Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 Hey guys, quick question on Vmini. I've noticed snooping around that some helicopters will have a "coupled" and "uncoupled" Vmini. Is there a reason to have two, and not just one somewhere in the middle? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palmfish Posted February 16, 2014 Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 Ive never flown a coupled approach in a helicopter, but I would guess that it has to do with the limitations of the flight director. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick1128 Posted February 16, 2014 Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 Ive never flown a coupled approach in a helicopter, but I would guess that it has to do with the limitations of the flight director.I believe it has to do with the autopilot, not so much the flight director. Usually when it refers to a coupled approach, the autopilot is flying the aircraft and when it is referred to as uncoupled the pilot is flying the aircraft. An approach without the flight director is referred to as a 'raw data' approach. Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palmfish Posted February 16, 2014 Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 We're probably just talking semantics here, but let me clarify what I said above... The Flight Director is what "couples" the autopilot system to the navigation system. Without the Flight Director, the autopilot is just 2-axis cruise control. A pilot can use the autopilot system when shooting an approach either with the Flight Director (coupled) or without (uncoupled). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick1128 Posted February 17, 2014 Report Share Posted February 17, 2014 PF, You are correct it is semantics, In my experience coupled has always referred to the autopilot being coupled. I have operated aircraft with a 3 axis autopilot with NO flight director. If there is a flight director, when you turn the autopilot on the flight director comes on. However, you can use the flight director without using the autopilot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palmfish Posted February 17, 2014 Report Share Posted February 17, 2014 Sounds like a good topic to continue over drinks Tuesday night in Anaheim. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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