Voiceflight VFS101 Pilot's Manual
VFS101 Pilot's Guide
VFS101-PMAN3, Revision B
Revision History
Rev. Date Page Description Sig.
A 18-Dec-2012 All Initial Release JSM
B 8-Jul-2013 1, 12, 14, 20, 24
16
Expand maximum flightplan waypoints from 31 to 100.
Allow intersection waypoints to be omitted for successive airways.
JSM
Table of Contents
Preface...........................................................................................................i
1.0 Introduction.........................................................................................1
1.1 Operating Limitations..................................................................2
2.0 Operational Overview.......................................................................2
3.0 VFS101 Interconnect Diagram........................................................4
4.0 Getting Started....................................................................................5
4.1 Cautions...........................................................................................5
4.2 Pilot Qualification Procedure.....................................................5
4.3 Activating a Direct-To Waypoint..............................................5
4.4 Entering a Flightplan......................................................................7
5.0 Detailed Functional Description.....................................................9
5.1 VoiceFlight Activation Switch (VAS)........................................9
5.2 ICAO Spelling Alphabet............................................................10
5.3 Title Line.......................................................................................10
5.4 Direct-To......................................................................................11
5.5 Waypoint Entry...........................................................................12
5.6 Error Correction........................................................................13
5.7 Starting a new Flightplan...........................................................13
5.8 Airway Entry.................................................................................14
5.9 Advanced Editing.........................................................................15
6.0 Troubleshooting................................................................................16
7.0 Settings and Maintenance...............................................................17
7.1 Volume Adjustment....................................................................17
7.2 Updating the Navigational Database......................................18
7.3 Database Calibration..................................................................19
7.4 Setting Airway Compression...................................................20
7.5 Configuration Display Mode....................................................20
7.6 GPS Crossfill Mode....................................................................21
8.0 Limited Warranty.............................................................................22
Appendix A: Packing List.......................................................................22
Appendix B: Aural Messages.................................................................23
Appendix C: Title Line Messages........................................................24
Appendix D: Database Download......................................................25
Preface
This manual provides detailed instructions for using the VFS101 Speech Recognition System with Garmin GNS 430 / 530 or 430W / 530W series
GPS units. Please carefully review the complete manual and familiarize yourself with the system before attempting to use the VFS101 in flight.
GARMIN is a registered trademark of GARMIN, Ltd. and is not affiliated with VoiceFlight Systems, LLC in any way.
Page (i)
1.0 Introduction
The VoiceFlight VFS101 is a revolutionary speech-recognition system
that allows pilots to rapidly enter navigational waypoints using their
voice. The system provides accurate speech recognition, and nearly
instantaneous response, for the great majority of pilots and flight
environments. Voice entry of complex flightplans can be performed
approximately ten times faster than is possible with conventional
knob-twisting. The system is speaker independent and operates
without any type of “enrollment” or tuning before use.
For routine flight operations, the VFS101 provides convenient, “handsfree” entry of Direct-To waypoint destinations directly into the
aircraft's primary Garmin GPS unit. For safety, an audio read-back of
the intended waypoint is presented for confirmation before the new
destination is activated.
The VFS101 also provides the capability to enter complex flight plans
using speech commands. The system typically recognizes waypoint
entries faster than the pilot is able to (clearly) speak them. In addition
to rapid entry of multiple waypoints, the system performs automatic
expansion of airways, also provided via voice entry.
The VFS101 operates on the primary GPS's active flightplan. The
flightplan's title line is continually updated to display new waypoints as
they are added to the flightplan and to display error messages
describing any problems that are encountered.
The VFS101 system does not alter or interfere with manual operation
of the aircraft GPS. If the pilot experiences difficulties or confusion
while utilizing the VFS101, conventional manual operations are readily
available.
The VoiceFlight Activation Switch (VAS) is typically mounted on the
pilot yoke and is activated by the pilot when speech commands are
provided to the VFS101. The VFS101 will not recognize speech, or
transmit updates to the GPS units, unless the VAS is depressed.
The GNS 430 / 530 and GNS 430W / 530W series GPS units have
historically been limited to a maximum of 31 waypoints per flightplan.
However, when a GNS 430W / 530W is updated to Main Software
Version 5.00 or later, this limit is expanded to 100 waypoints. In this
document, this limitation will be referred to as “31 or 100 waypoints”
with the implicit dependency on the Main Software version installed
into the GPS unit.
A suite of voice commands are available for editing the flightplan, to
correct errors, or accommodate routing changes. The context of
editing operations is displayed on the flightplan title line.
Page 1 / 25
1.1 Operating Limitations
2.0 Operational Overview
" VFS101 editing operations are limited to the en-route section
of the active flightplan on the primary GPS.
" The VFS101 will not allow editing of an active navigation leg.
" All VFS101 operations are suspended when an approach is
loaded into the active flightplan. VFS101 operations will be
restored after the approach is removed.
" It is the pilot's responsibility to ensure that the correct
navigational data is installed on the VFS101. Failure to use
current navigational data may result in incorrect airway
expansion and an inability to enter some waypoints using the
VFS101.
" If the navigational database installed on the VFS101 is not
current, the pilot must manually verify the correctness of each
waypoint and airway entered using the VFS101 by comparison
to current navigational charts.
" Each individual pilot should complete the Pilot Qualification
procedures described in Section 4.2 before attempting to use
the VoiceFlight unit for actual in-flight navigation. This is to
ensure the VFS101 is able to safely recognize the pilot's voice,
and that the pilot is familiar with the VFS101's operation.
This section includes the key information needed to operate the
VFS101. A more detailed description of VFS101 functions can be
found in section 5 of this guide.
" The system recognizes speech only while the VoiceFlight
Activation Switch (VAS) is depressed.
" Upon depressing the VAS, do not begin speaking until the
System Ready "Double Beep" is heard. If the "double beep" is
not heard, release the switch and attempt to identify the
problem.
" The VFS101 only recognizes words from the ICAO spelling
alphabet, and only when they are used in the correct syntax.
Using the wrong words, or in the wrong order will not work.
The ICAO alphabet can be found in Section 5.2.
" If a speaking mistake is made, momentarily release the VAS,
then depress it again before attempting to repeat the desired
phrase.
" Audio output from the VFS101 stops upon VAS release.
Prematurely releasing the VAS will prevent VFS101 Audio
feedback, such as confirmation read-back of Direct-To
commands.
Page 2 / 25
" When entering waypoints into the active flightplan, individual
legs may be up to 250 nautical miles in length. Cross country
flightplans can be built from sequences of individual 250
nautical mile legs.
" Direct-To destinations may be up to 1,000 nautical miles from
the aircraft's position if they are an airport or VOR, up to 250
nautical miles if they are any other waypoint type, or an
unlimited distance if they are present in the active flightplan
on the primary GPS.
" The VFS101 is designed to recognize only the currently eligible
waypoints. If an intended waypoint is repeatedly misrecognized as some other waypoint, it is likely that the
intended waypoint is not currently eligible. Potential causes
include:
! Missing prefix character on an airport name (e.g. “K” on
alphabetic airports within the continental U.S.)
! An airway is active, and spoken waypoint is not located on
that airway (Note: airports are never on airways)
! The waypoint is located outside of the current search
radius. This is 250 nautical miles for most commands, and
1,000 nautical miles for Airport and VOR Direct-Tos.
! The waypoint is missing from the VFS101 navigation
database
" During initial familiarization with the VFS101 unit, some pilots
have a tendency to release the VAS sooner, and more
frequently, than is necessary. This tendency is reduced as the
pilot gains more experience with the unit.
" Upon entering a Direct-To waypoint, confirm that the
destination identifier and the track displayed on the map page
are correct.
" The blinking cursor shown on the GPS does NOT represent
VFS101 selection of a waypoint. The selection of a waypoint is
shown by asterisks surrounding the waypoint on the flightplan
title line.
" If the VFS101 or GPS units exhibit anomalous behavior turn
off the VFS101 using the dedicated circuit breaker or power
switch.
" The VFS101 will shut down if the VAS is depressed and
released five times without successfully recognizing speech.
This is for safety reasons. To re-start the VFS101, remove
power from the VFS101 (not the GPS) using the dedicated
VFS101 circuit breaker or switch. Wait at least 5 seconds then
re-apply power. The VFS101 will restart in approximately 20
seconds.
" When entering a flightplan into the GPS, it is beneficial to have
the active flightplan displayed on the primary GPS. This is
accessed by pressing the FPL button.
" When a VFS101 error tone in heard, examine the title line of
the active flightplan on the primary GPS. An error message
will be displayed there for several seconds. See Appendix C
for a listing of these messages and their causes.
" The internal processor of the GNS 430 / 530 series GPS units
is considerably slower. On these units, VFS101 responses may
be delayed for a second or two in specific circumstances (e.g.
processing the first speech command with a long flightplan).
Page 3 / 25
3.0 VFS101 Interconnect Diagram
The VFS101 system consists of a single 3.3 in x 5.5 in x 1 in, unit which
is mounted behind the aircraft's instrument panel. This unit has a
single DB-25 connector and connects to other aircraft systems as
shown in the VFS101 System Block Diagram.
All waypoints input through the VFS101 appear on the primary GPS.
The optional secondary GPS is connected to allow the pilot to
continue to use the crossfill functionality to send flightplans from one
GPS to the other.
The database update port is a standard USB jack which accepts USB
flash storage devices, used to install new navigational data.
The switch/fuse or pullable breaker can be used to disable the VFS101
in the event it exhibits anomalous behavior, or to restart the VFS101
after a shutdown.
The VFS101 audio output is directly connected to the audio panel
intercom system.
Page 4 / 25
4.0 Getting Started
This section contains examples of how to enter Direct-To commands
and a short flightplan. If difficulties are encountered during any of the
following exercises, please refer to the trouble-shooting section of
this manual (sec. 6.0), consult with your authorized avionics installer,
or contact VoiceFlight Systems technical support.
4.1 Cautions
" After depressing the VoiceFlight Activation Switch (VAS), do
not begin speaking until the double-beep is heard.
" Confirm all airway expansions prior to use.
" Upon entering a Direct-To waypoint, confirm that the
destination identifier and the track displayed on the map page
are correct.
" While inserting waypoints on GNS 430W / 530W series GPS
units, the VFS101 may insert temporary waypoints at the
bottom of the flightplan. If these are not automatically
removed, discontinue VFS101 operations and remove them
manually.
4.2 Pilot Qualification Procedure
The pilot qualification procedure is designed to confirm that the
VFS101 is able to recognize a given pilot's voice and to familiarize the
pilot with the system. Each pilot should complete pilot qualification
before using the VFS101 for in-flight entry of navigational data.
Complete the procedures described in sections 4.3 and 4.4 twice
each, once on the ground, and the second time in flight while flying
under VFR conditions in an environment where the procedure can be
safely completed. The qualification is complete when the procedures
can be performed without errors.
" If the VFS101 or GPS unit exhibit anomalous behavior turn off
the VFS101 using the dedicated circuit breaker or power
switch.
" The VFS101 navigation database must be updated every 28
days in synchronization with the AIRAC charting cycle.
" The blinking cursor shown on the GPS does NOT represent
VFS101 selection of a waypoint. The selection of a waypoint is
shown by asterisks surrounding the waypoint on the flightplan
title line.
" Do not initiate conventional crossfill or manual flightplan
editing operations while the VAS is depressed.
Page 5 / 25
4.3 Activating a Direct-To Waypoint
For this exercise, select two or three nearby waypoints and record
their identifiers exactly as would be used manually with the Garmin
GPS units. The selected waypoints must be within 1,000 nautical miles
for airport identifiers or VORs, and within 250 nautical miles for all
other waypoint types.
For illustration, this document uses two identifiers: Chicago's O'Hare
International airport "KORD" and the "SAGES" navigational fix near
KHFD. This example assumes the aircraft is located at KHFD in
Hartford, CT.
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