Trutrak Sorcerer compatibility with AF 5000 series

[larco]

Great, Thanks.

I spend some time this morning reviewing the AFS manual and reflecting my past experience and talking to my CFII. I realized that I have only used the FD while hand flying, so based on what TT said and they should know more than anyone, You are probably out of luck with the FD with the sorcerer. I was also reminded that I have used the HB most all of the time but remember the roll steering seemed to work when intercepting a nav course.

If you are making a decision based on my info I would rather you discuss this with the experts at AFS. I just don’t want to miss lead you, causing an expectation not to be there.

I will say though that when I upgrade to the 5400s I am considering changing also to the AFS AP Vizion because of it’s total compatibly. I apologize for any inconvenience Dentoflyer. I will let you know if I verify anything positive while on the trip.

An added note. I just talked to TT regarding something else and took the opportunity to pose your question. It seems that non of the efis’s FD’s guide the AP but are commanded by the vert steering and lat signals. This seems to be what I experience and am happy with the way it works. I take off (sorcerer switched to EFIS) with the EFIS set up, push GPSS on the Sorcerer and everything works with the EFIS controls. It does have control wheel steering, they confirmed that. Regards, Larry

[Dentoflyer]

I spend some time this morning reviewing the AFS manual and reflecting my past experience and talking to my CFII. I realized that I have only used the FD while hand flying, so based on what TT said and they should know more than anyone, You are probably out of luck with the FD with the sorcerer. I was also reminded that I have used the HB most all of the time but remember the roll steering seemed to work when intercepting a nav course.

If you are making a decision based on my info I would rather you discuss this with the experts at AFS. I just don’t want to miss lead you, causing an expectation not to be there.

I will say though that when I upgrade to the 5400s I am considering changing also to the AFS AP Vizion because of it’s total compatibly. I apologize for any inconvenience Dentoflyer. I will let you know if I verify anything positive while on the trip.

An added note. I just talked to TT regarding something else and took the opportunity to pose your question. It seems that non of the efis’s FD’s guide the AP but are commanded by the vert steering and lat signals. This seems to be what I experience and am happy with the way it works. I take off (sorcerer switched to EFIS) with the EFIS set up, push GPSS on the Sorcerer and everything works with the EFIS controls. It does have control wheel steering, they confirmed that. Regards, Larry

Your observations are helpful, Larry. It seems that Autopilots that generate their own FD commands is very much a thing of the old analog days. The new EFISs generate FD commands internally.
Shawn from AFS has also given me the following confirmation/ information:

"The Advanced Flight will calculate and display its own flight director. These commands will then be fed to the autopilot and allow you to fly from the AF-5000 heading, gps track, internal flight plan, 430W, or other nav source.​

The sorcerer will always be engaged in GPSS mode to follow any of the AF-5000 commands."

SO, I think I understand how it all works now..... thanks for your help!