Carenado Cessna 340 GPS/HSI/CDI Behaviour

**918JC** · 07-03-2012, 03:20 PM

A few days ago I purchased, downloaded and installed the Carenado Cessna 340II from the FSpilotshop. This version is also compatible with P3D although I am using it in FSX SP1/SP2.

Fantastic aircraft and all seems fine. However I am a bit puzzled by the HSI display, as it's CDI is not displaying GPS route inputs/deviations. I don't know if this is as it was modeled by Carenado or if there is something wrong in my installation.

With a flight plan or "Direct To" loaded in the GPS; I select "GPS" with the CDI button. The GPS CDI reacts normally in both GPS' but the HSI's needle continues to repond to the NAV1 frequency when in reception range. If not in reception range I get a white "To" flag as if it is receiving the GPS input but the needle fails to display any deviations. This is contrary to the performance in other Carenado models, So I am suspect as to whether it is in fact correct.

Any input you can offer would be appreciated. I have searched through a few forums without finding any definitive answers. Although there were some mentions of the CDI response I was never clear if they were discussing the display in the HSI. Most of the threads I found are rather aged and inactive at this point.

Would like to hear of your experience with this and any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Jesse

System Specs:
Alienware Aurora R4, Win7 x 64 (UAC disabled),Intel i7-3820 @ 4.2ghx turboboost, RAM 8gb @ 2133hz, Nvidia GeForce 580 @1.5gb, 1TB SATA @ 6gb/s, Samsung S27A950D; FSX SP1+SP2

**simmerdr** · 07-04-2012, 08:33 AM

Hi Jesse:

I agree it's Carenado's one of the finest aircraft.

I just did a test take-off followed by GPS FPLN activation (from KSEA toward KORD) with this C340. For me everything seemed to appear normal (e.g. on the HSI) unless I missed some nuances. Please repeat the following steps and let me know. I could do another flight later....

1. Load your FPLN into GPSs.
2. Set NAV1/NAV2 (as desired) on the top and bottom GPSs respectively (for testing I set NAV1 to 110.30 local/KSEA ILS freqency)
3. Set HDG bug and CRS needle as desired on the HSI. I set the HDG bug to RWY34R (343 deg).

4. After lift-off:
a) Ensure AP and FD SWs are both on/active on the AP Panel
b) Test/activate HDG SW on 1st (to preset HDG)
c) Now to activate the GPS FPLN: 1st, GPS Panel CDI SW on; and next, AP Panel NAV SW on

At this point, as expected, I immediately observed the CDI break away from the CRS (green) arrow (becuase I was off the FPLN track).

Then, as the aircraft gradually converged to the FPLN track, the CDI got re-aligned with the CRS needle.

I stopped here.

Let me know how it goes.

Happy July 4th!

**918JC** · 07-04-2012, 10:33 AM

Thanks for taking the time to test and respond Dipti. Your test is consistent with the way I normally use the GPS but I did follow your test to the letter. Unfortunately the HSI is not displaying deviations for the GPS inputs. It seems to be responding to the Nav frequencies but I was getting confused by some of the indications and haven't determined why it was giving a full left deflection of the CDI even after I was locked on course. The autopilot locks on and navigates to the GPS flight plan perfectly. It's just that the HSI will not display proper course deviations.

Are you using a version prior to Carenado's upgrade to P3D? I'm beginning to suspect the P3D compatibility may have altered something in this regard that is affecting the FSX HSI. If that's the case I have no idea how to repair this .

Thanks again for your time and input.

**torkermax** · 07-04-2012, 10:52 AM

Not sure this relates to your dilemma but it may be worth an investigation. P3D and Carenado. Is your cockpit clickspots even working? There's a anomoly between PD and Carenado in regards to "Water reflections" being set high in the dispaly menus. Disable water reflections and all the bathymetic stuff. This has been discussed on "other" sites forums that have a dedicated P3D topic. If you disable water reflections, the clickspots and functions should work. Not sure this is any help but its a must with P3D and Carenado aircraft.

carenado Response:

https://carenado.zendesk.com/entries...n-prepar3d-p3d

**simmerdr** · 07-04-2012, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by 918JC

...Are you using a version prior to Carenado's upgrade to P3D? I'm beginning to suspect the P3D compatibility may have altered something in this regard that is affecting the FSX HSI...

Jesse:

Yes, that's correct and your suspicions are probably well-founded. I have had this (FSX) Carenado C340 for quite sometime now (before I started seeing the notation (FSX/P3D) on Carenado's website...

...)

Torkermax's post may have your solution.

Good luck.

**918JC** · 07-04-2012, 11:44 AM

Thanks, again Dipti. The P3D update is sure sounding like a likely candidate for the source of my problem. Sounds like I should have gotten on the C340 bus before the P3D compatibility was created.

Hi Randy. Thanks for the suggestion and link. My click spots are present and working as expected. Changing water settings has no effect in my FSX install.

I appreciate the input. At this point though I am still scratching my head on this one.

If anyone else has any suggestions or comments I would welcome hearing from you.

Jesse

**simmerdr** · 07-04-2012, 05:11 PM

I looked around a bit in the AVSIM C340II (Unofficial Forum), and, interestingly, found this post by someone:

"The CDI does not seem to be linked with the GPS. Is it a bug or there is another switch somewhere to alternate. (VLOC or GPS doesn't work) Even though the switch is on GPS position, CDI still works with VLOC and not GPS)"

So, it appears you are not the only one with this issue. Unfortunately, I did not find there any reply to this above post.

So, your best bet is to directly contact the Carenado Support:

https://carenado.zendesk.com/anonymous_requests/new

**918JC** · 07-04-2012, 11:01 PM

Thanks. Yeah, I saw that post but it was a rather old problem that seemed to have been answered and resolved.

I have sent a message to Carenado and will report back if I get an answer.

Thanks so much for your interest and support. I'm very happy with this aircraft and a huge Carenado fan, in spite of the minor problem I am having. Already have many hours with her.

**918JC** · 07-10-2012, 08:40 PM

I apologize for bumping an old thread. I just thought I should follow up with what I have heard on this subject in the sake of clarity and to possibly benefit any future searches.

I submitted a ticket with Carenado on the HSI/GPS question and this was their response:

"We regret to inform you that the aircraft we developed didn't have that specific feature."

Perhaps there has been a misunderstanding or some confusion. ?????

**simmerdr** · 07-10-2012, 11:17 PM

Jesse:

I did a couple of more tests w/ Carenado C340 and then compared w/ Carenado C208.

First of all, Carenado's response to you is correct. I apologize I did not continue my earlier reported test flight to try out lateral deviations from the GPS FPLN track. I had stopped once the CDI merged back w/ the CRS Needle.

The conclusion is that their C340 HSI behavior is actually different from that of their e.g. C208. On the C208, you can use the CDI deviation to manually re-align with the FPLN track. However, on the C340, the CDI needle stays put in the center even if you go off track i.e. it is not showing the GPS deviations as you had initially observed. So, both our C340s (mine FSX only and yours FSX/P3D) are consistent in this regard.

Sorry for my earlier incomplete information. Carenado say that they did not model this feature on the C340. It's a bit puzzling, but that seems to be the case.