aadamson
Well Known Member
I know I've been in the middle of a few conversations about the pro's and con's of HITS (Highway In The Sky). Most of those threads were before I had any actual experience.
On paper it sounded like the best thing since sliced bread, and I can now say that in actuality, it's even better!
For those nay sayers, you have to try it.
I recently had the chance to fly behind the Chelton System for about 8 hours of flying. Some of this was training and some was in the right seat.
On my first training flight, the instructor coached me thru setting up a target altitude, and a Direct to for a specific airport. All of which was so easy, I couldn't believe it. (Remember, my recent experience has been 120 or so hours behind a G1000 in a 182 which I own). Once we were setup, he said, ok just fly the boxes and ring? Ring I said puzzled? Yep, see that little line with a loop on it on the 3D display? Just keep your airplane in the center of it, and we'll go right there.
Ok, so after a couple of mins getting used to the controls on the Lancair ES that I was flying (I've never flown side stick before). I managed to nail the heading and altitude for well over 10 mins, just hand flying. I noticed immediately that the altitude didn't waver by more than 20 feet. Now, this would be real easy in dead calm air, but a front had just come thru the bend area and it was pretty turbulent with the clouds and sun.
Now some may say, well, that's easy in straight and level flight, but how about turns. After a while, you get to the point that you start to beat yourself up of you don't keep the airplane (on the screen) centered in the boxes. Even turns for approaches, holds, turn arounds, etc start to become easy. And you'll notice immediately that your course over the ground is "perfect". Intercepts to course are just a smidge more tricky but not really. The CFS system uses a "turn noodle" to tell you where your turn course will take you, and if you use that to "lead" the turn, you'll end up right in the box.
I'd say that after about 15 mins, I had mastered the basics (mind you I didn't need the primer on Glass vs. Steam and my scan already was accustomed to glass presentation). It's exactly like they say. Like flying a video game. I don't ever want to fly behind anything else after this experience. I was already hooked on Glass before this, but now, I'm hooked on the value of HITS.
I did probably 4-5 approaches, some IFR, some VFR and following the boxes was just too easy. From a safety standpoint, keeping the airplane where ATC wants it and away from Terrafirma is a good thing and working to stay "in the box" continues to show its value.
For those that are just thinking about it, there are a variety of companies that offer the technology. Some offer augmenting feature additions, like the CFS "Noodle". So pick your price point, but my vote is certainly PRO and not CON for this technology.
I had a great time and can't wait to fly behind my own.
On paper it sounded like the best thing since sliced bread, and I can now say that in actuality, it's even better!
For those nay sayers, you have to try it.
I recently had the chance to fly behind the Chelton System for about 8 hours of flying. Some of this was training and some was in the right seat.
On my first training flight, the instructor coached me thru setting up a target altitude, and a Direct to for a specific airport. All of which was so easy, I couldn't believe it. (Remember, my recent experience has been 120 or so hours behind a G1000 in a 182 which I own). Once we were setup, he said, ok just fly the boxes and ring? Ring I said puzzled? Yep, see that little line with a loop on it on the 3D display? Just keep your airplane in the center of it, and we'll go right there.
Ok, so after a couple of mins getting used to the controls on the Lancair ES that I was flying (I've never flown side stick before). I managed to nail the heading and altitude for well over 10 mins, just hand flying. I noticed immediately that the altitude didn't waver by more than 20 feet. Now, this would be real easy in dead calm air, but a front had just come thru the bend area and it was pretty turbulent with the clouds and sun.
Now some may say, well, that's easy in straight and level flight, but how about turns. After a while, you get to the point that you start to beat yourself up of you don't keep the airplane (on the screen) centered in the boxes. Even turns for approaches, holds, turn arounds, etc start to become easy. And you'll notice immediately that your course over the ground is "perfect". Intercepts to course are just a smidge more tricky but not really. The CFS system uses a "turn noodle" to tell you where your turn course will take you, and if you use that to "lead" the turn, you'll end up right in the box.
I'd say that after about 15 mins, I had mastered the basics (mind you I didn't need the primer on Glass vs. Steam and my scan already was accustomed to glass presentation). It's exactly like they say. Like flying a video game. I don't ever want to fly behind anything else after this experience. I was already hooked on Glass before this, but now, I'm hooked on the value of HITS.
I did probably 4-5 approaches, some IFR, some VFR and following the boxes was just too easy. From a safety standpoint, keeping the airplane where ATC wants it and away from Terrafirma is a good thing and working to stay "in the box" continues to show its value.
For those that are just thinking about it, there are a variety of companies that offer the technology. Some offer augmenting feature additions, like the CFS "Noodle". So pick your price point, but my vote is certainly PRO and not CON for this technology.
I had a great time and can't wait to fly behind my own.
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). Again, on the Missed, if there is a course reversal, the system we determine the proper direction, type, etc (hold or PT) and will cause the coupled AP to fly that course. 
