When flying a GPS flight plan, you typically fly in HDG mode and your autopilot flies the course you’ve set with the heading bug in the HSI. At each waypoint, the GPS displays the new track or heading to the next waypoint. You then must twist the HDG knob to the new course, often making several tweaks until the correct track is finally acquired.

With GPS roll steering, the autopilot is provided with a dynamically calculated bank angle in advance of the new track, automatically accounting for ground speed, wind speed, and wind direction to accomplish a smooth turn on to the new track. These are figured into the turn calculation and the turn is started prior to the waypoint to achieve a comfortable, very precise turn to the new waypoint track.

With WAAS-enabled receivers, not only will SAM and your autopilot fly the flight plan waypoints, they’ll fly your holds, procedure turns, and GPS approaches.

With no more twisting, overshooting, and needle chasing, you can concentrate on the radio, weather reviews, and maybe enjoy some of that satellite radio playing in the background!