AP Modes
Pre-Launch
Meaning- Nonflying “idle” state, the state the autopilot starts in.
Exit Conditions- Airspeed, Acceleration, User
Abort button Actions- Kill the engine
RPM
Illuminates red when engine RPMs are out of limitations.
AERO T
Aerodynamic termination is invoked by the autopilot due to mission limits.
GPS
GPS system is not providing valid position and velocity data.
Landing, Downwind, Base
Meaning-Tracking a landing flight plan; on downwind and base
Exit- Waypoint switch, User
Abort- Go to lost communications flight plan.
Transition
Meaning- User has commanded rolling launch to start.
Exit conditions- Airspeed, Time
Abort- Go to rollout state. Kill the engine.
ALT
Altitude of the vehicle exceeds mission limits, aircraft climbs when commanded to descend, aircraft descends when commanded to climb, aircraft is climbing or descending too quickly
DMan ON
Deadman output line is released by the autopilot due to mission limits.
LINK
Receive signal strength indicator or link acknowledgment ratio exceed limits.
Final Approach
Meaning- Flying down the final approach towards the decision point.
Exit- Decision point, User
Abort- Track to the waypoint following touchdown.
Liftoff
Meaning- Rolling launch speed reached, rotation commenced, waiting for positive vertical rate
Exit- Altitude rate, Time
Abort- No action taken
IAS
Indicated airspeed of the vehicle exceeds controller limits
NAV
There is something wrong with the navigation subsystem. If the cursor is hovered over the light, a short description of the problem will be displayed.
COMM
Telemetry from the vehicle is not received within 10 seconds.
Short Final
Meaning- The decision point has been reached and the autopilot has decided to proceed to touchdown.
Exit- Altitude, User
Abort- Track to the waypoint following touchdown.
Climb Out
Meaning- System is flying, tracker limited to command up to 5 degrees bank angle to begin initial tracking and compensate for crosswinds
Exit- Time, <.5 min air speed limit
Abort- No action taken
ATT
The attitude of the vehicle exceeds controller limits
GPS/INS
Nav system is operating in its backup mode. It may also read RTK/INS if RTK corrections are enabled.
TER
Turns Yellow 45 seconds to terrain impact. Turns Red when 25 seconds to terrain impact.
Touchdown
Meaning- The flare altitude has been reached and the autopilot is holding vertical rate while looking for ground contact.
Exit- Airspeed, Z acceleration
Abort- Track to the waypoint following touchdown.
Flying
Meaning- Nominal operating state, all systems functional.
Exit- User
Abort- Go to lost communications flight plan.
SYS
System voltages or temperature of the vehicle exceed limits
TIMER
Flight timer expires and reads zero. A pop-up warning box says flight timer has expired.
SPC
Turns Yellow 45 seconds to airspace violation. Turns Red when 25 seconds to airspace violation.
Rollout
Meaning- Ground contact has been detected and the autopilot is trying to roll straight down the landing plan.
Exit- User
Abort- Track to the waypoint following touchdown