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First, relax....it's not that different from the previous instrumentation and certainly quite understandable with a few basic techniques. The best process to learn this new technology is to first operate it in the most basic configuration (turn the "tapes" off and use simple navigation on the HSI indication...it looks like the old panel). Full up this unit is pretty busy. As you get more comfortable you can enable more functions. As you fly more with this unit you can explore the exotic options. What else are you going to do while enroute to that airport restaurant destination?
Check the pdf for specific preflight hints but basically there is not much to do. You will notice a new RSM (reomote sensing unit) on the tailcone that should be firmly attached (there are about 30 rivets in here I doubt it is going anywhere!) After you start up your aircraft, turn on the avionics master but do not turn on the EFIS on the roll. This unit must be stationary to initialize correctly, so come to a stop in the run-up area before turning on the EFIS. The unit will go through several initialization screens then come up in color. There will be some red "x" markings until the unit wakes up fully.
What we initially want to achieve is the simplest display, something that looks like what you flew before! So when everything is running, press the "tapes" button on the right hand side of the unit to remove the altitude and airspeed tapes. This should give you a simple "attitude indicator" without the tapes in view.
The "heading indicator" on the bottom already knows which way is north so you will not need to set this but it is a good idea to verify the information. It's a good idea to play with the buttons and get this unit set-up before you go flying.
Color philosophy on this unit is easy; cyan (blue) is an editable value or something you can set. Magenta (pink) is active GPS course, white is primary flight data (IAS, ALT, HDG)
"Hot Keys" Control What You Display on the Aspen! |
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Hot Key #1, "TPS" will remove the tapes from the attitude indicator and make this resemble your familiar basic instrument! |
| Hot Key #2 enables / disables the MINIMUMS display. When enabled, the minimums field is available for editing and minimums alerts are provided. | |
| Hot Key #3 toggles the compass between a 360 rose display and a 100 deg ARC display. | |
| Hot Key #4 is used to enable the basemap and control the amount of basemap symbology that is presented to the pilot. Each successive push of the MAP hot key will change the basemap declutter level in a round-robin sequence. | |
| Hot Key #5 enables GPS steering for use of the auto pilot either for heading or steering. To "fly the map" the autopilot must be in "heading" mode not "track!" To use the Aspen, leave the GPS in "heading" mode. | |
The bottom of the Aspen is where you input data. The right knob (home state) is used to set the heading. If you push the right knob, it cycles through
heading, altitude, barometric setting (where you can input the altimeter setting) and minimums (for approaches). If you push and hold in any one of these fields it will sync up to your current situation (simple and handy feature...If you are where you want to be sync up and turn on the autopilot!)
The left knob (home state) is used to change your course (like the knob on your CDI). (If you push it twice, you can set your airspeed bug.) Data fields you are changing are always cyan and turn magenta once active. Both knobs when in an active mode will revert to "home state" after 10 seconds. IFR pilots "practicing" should play with these functions only in VFR to learn the box, with a safety pilot aboard (who is looking outside not similarly engaged on the panel!) Enjoy this great tool. There is lots more info in the pdf once you have mastered the basics. For IFR users here is more detail.