Scorpion, much success now, able to go direct to an approach fix now no problem, and the rest of the approach is still active and follows accordingly…wow, much appreciated.
I mistakenly used RNAV in my post, the simulator does track and adjust altitude for LNAV. When using the simulator you have to engage the ALT on the autopilot for it to work.
I tried putting the link to the simulator in the post, it will not allow me to do so.
There are currently CTD issues with the carenado mooney m20R.
I’d just want to say that these issues have nothing to do with this mod. It’s completely independent and can be reproduced exactly in the same way without the mod.
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Actually, I have been able to get the automatic RNAV descent to work using the Carenado Ovation, but using the default GNS530 (I haven’t been able to try your mod yet @ScorpionFilm422 but want to try it). There are some slight hiccups I’ve noticed though but here is what I’ve tried that normally works with the Mooney:
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Start a flight and setup the approach to a RNAV runway. I have done this both manually in the 530, or from the world map choosing an IFR flight and then picking the approach runway. One thing I have noticed though is if you do this from the World Map, it will not choose the correct approach on the 530 and you have to fix it manually in the 530 once you are in the plane.
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When I’m nearing the nav points for the RNAV approach I need to make sure that the approach is activated in the 530.
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After activating the approach, I then turn on APR mode on the autopilot, AND I have to turn off ALT hold mode. I’m not sure if this true in real life, but with the Mooney I’ve only been able to get the automatic descent to work by turning off ALT hold.
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Here’s where I think there is a glitch. I have noticed if there are for example two nav points with different elevations where the plane should catch the decent, sometimes it does not catch it at the first nav point, so I have to manually descend to the correct altitude for the next nav point and then typically it will “catch” at that nav point and automatically descend to the runway. For example, it may not catch at nav point 1 at 6000 ft, but if I manually descent to 3000 feet, the next nav point will catch there.
Sorry for the bad jargon. I’m not a pilot IRL so I’m just learning this stuff and I’m sure sound like an amateur, but hopefully this makes sense. It is very cool to be holding your breath coming into the approach and then watch the nose tip down when it catches the glide path.
Does this mod include working OBS & Suspend mode yet? They’re actually quite vital if you want to fly holding patterns and sector entries.
Unfortunatly, this feature is not implemented in the sim’s kernel so I can’t do anything about that for now. It’s the only important missing feature.
As soon as Asobo provides it, I will include it in the mod. For now, just do things manually in hdg mode.
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Ahh no worries. Thanks for the update, keep up the great work.
This verifies my experience in that MSFS 2020 only seems to capture RNAV at the last waypoint prior to the runway. The tower will not give you those instructions, but if you look at the information on the setup page and make sure your altitude is the same or slightly lower than that last waypoint, it seems to catch and bring you down correctly. May not be 100%, but most of the time.
I flew the GNS530 (actually a 530W/430W stack) and Thales digital autopilot system coupled with a moving map display. There was no VNAV capability. LPV approaches only provide vertical guidance from the last waypoint in the approach. That segment must also be straight, there cannot be any bends/turns in that last segment.
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The airplane is intercepting the RNAV FAF which is a correct behavior.
We are dealing with GNS530 and not the GNS530W.
The “W” version stands for “WAAS”, which is an upgrade to the GNS530 for an added accuracy for flying even the precision GPS approaches such as the LPV.
However, the GNS530/530W is a simple SBAS unit - the one in this Ovation offers the basic GPS RNAV functionality together with the GPSS output (the so called “automatic roll steering”).
GPSS signal from the GNS530, IF it is coupled with the digital autopilot and the HSI with the bootstrap output will make the course changes, fly procedures with arcing, procedure turns, holding patterns, etc.
Now, if it is coupled with the ancient KFC-150 autopilot, you gotta buy…well we call it the “GPS box” - it’s basically a GDC adapter that converts the ARINC429 digital signal from the GPS to the analog one that this ancient AP understands.
It’s not a standard addition - gotta spit 1k to buy it, plus the installation and testing.
In our simulated Ovation, as per default we do not have the ARNIC429 converter - so we lose the GPSS…which is intentional !
Asobo/Microsoft provided the KI-525A model of the HSI with the glideslope and the bootstrap output for locating out aircraft on any other display unit with the moving map, traffic map, stormscope, weather map, etc.
I am not sure if Carenado properly implemented the logic I’m talking about, but they kinda tried…actually if you look inside the code, the MSFS2020 default internal instrument logic forces that - how cool is that ! 
Anyway, having this analog autopilot without the converter means that on passing every waypoint we have to turn and set the course needle for the new waypoint.
As far as the approaches go, we cannot do any RF stuff…radius-to-fix legs in which the approach has turns for example.
If we want the airplane to properly fly the approach, we need to arm the APR mode before the FAF, but ONLY when the FAF is our next active waypoint in the procedure chart and, of course, in our GNS530…without any more arcing waypoints ahead !
Here, from my old GNS530 manual:
- Coupling to the autopilot in approach (APR) mode only when the vertical guidance is available (check your chart to find out):
Once established on the final approach course with the final approach fix as the active waypoint, the GNS will enable vertical guidance:
Vertical Guidance …CONFIRM AVAILABLE
Autopilot … ENGAGE APPROACH MODE
- When the autopilot does not support any vertical capture or tracking:
Analog only autopilots should use APR mode for coupling to LNAV approaches. Autopilots which support digital roll steering commands (GPSS) may utilize NAV mode and take advantage of the digital tracking during LNAV only approaches.
That’s, to say, in short folks.
Of course there is so much more to this and it’s complicated as f***, but this should remove any doubts and ambiguities from the GNSS and autopilot systems in the GA aircraft within the MSFS2020.
Cya in the virtual skies !
(and in the real ones when this ■■■■■■ virus perishes, we’ll all fly to Oshkosh for an insane party)
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Just wanted to say thank you for your resilience and constant improvement of this very important mod.
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Just want to ditto what CFIJOSE said, thanks.
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Thanks for such a detailed description.
So, the system in MSFS is represented by : ??
With the KI 525A (but no optional KCS 55A Slaved Compass System )
Note: Systems has BOTH a KS270C Pitch Servo, as well as a KS 272C Pitch Trim Servo.
The complication on MSFS comes when MSFS is primarily designed to work with a Spring Centering Yoke/Joystick, where the zero force position is Fixed, unlike in RL, where the zero force position moves.
This complicates the operation of the Pitch Servos as well as how you manually trim for zero pressure.
In MSFS its a more complex Juggling act – as you trim, you have to gradually reduce the back pressure by letting the Joystick more back to its Spring Centered position.
After a time in MSFS, this becomes an automatic reflex process, but its NOT what you do in RL. !!
As you so rightly say :-
Of course there is so much more to this and it’s complicated as f*,**
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I haven’t flown the Mooney much since all the problems after patch#5 (been spending my time in the Turbo Bonanza), but it does provide vertical control during RNAV approach whether it’s suppose to or not. You can just about let the AP fly the Mooney right down to the runway if you want.
Unless you have a force feedback joystick like the SideWinder FF2 AND proper support for it in the simulator (like in the old days in CFS2, FS9 and maybe even FSX).
The brunner yoke does this and its a gamechanger (and yes I am a very lucky ******** )
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Have a Sidewinder 2 FF, and EXCELLENT support from the XpForce developer…
Certainly “helps” but is still not quite EXACTLY correct … but Much Much Much better 
Maybe, one day, a Brunner FF yoke !!! ( When MSFS ever evolves to really justify it)
But then, where will it stop ??
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We should combine forces, I have the brunner you have everything else 
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Scratch the MSFS bit, that would be my perfect setup IRL 