MGL Avionics Ultra Horizon XL User manual

MGL Avionics Stratomaster Ultra Horizon XL Owner’s manual
Page 1
Stratomaster Ultra Horizon XL
This document is intended for the Ultra Horizon XL instrument panel as
stand-alone or dual panel, with or without engine monitoring.
Owner's Manual
&
Installation guide
MGL Avionics
distributed by DELTA OMEGA
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.stratomaster.eu

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THE STRATOMASTER ULTRA HORIZON XL ..............................................................................................6
TYPICAL INSTALLATION OPTIONS.............................................................................................................8
SPECIFICATIONS:.......................................................................................................................................10
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS..................................................................................................................................................10
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ULTRA DISPLAY UNIT............................................................................10
ALTIMETER........................................................................................................................................................................10
AIRSPEED INDICATOR.........................................................................................................................................................11
VSI...................................................................................................................................................................................11
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS RDAC .......................................................................................................11
REV COUNTER ...................................................................................................................................................................11
FUEL FLOW SENDER INPUT..................................................................................................................................................11
FUEL LEVEL SENDER INPUTS...............................................................................................................................................11
OIL PRESSURE SENDER INPUT.............................................................................................................................................11
NTC TEMPERATURE SENDER INPUTS...................................................................................................................................11
THERMOCOUPLE TEMPERATURE SENDER INPUTS..................................................................................................................11
POWER SUPPLY.................................................................................................................................................................12
THE STRATOMASTER ULTRA HORIZON XL FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS..........................................13
BASIC SYSTEM FUNCTIONS .................................................................................................................................................13
RDAC EMS FUNCTIONS.....................................................................................................................................................13
AHRS AND COMPASS FUNCTIONS .......................................................................................................................................14
FLIGHT LOG.......................................................................................................................................................................14
THE ULTRA HORIZON XL MENUS.............................................................................................................16
THE MAIN MENU..........................................................................................................................................17
FLIGHT… ..........................................................................................................................................................................17
PILOT FOR FLIGHT LOG:......................................................................................................................................................17
VIEW FLIGHT LOG ..............................................................................................................................................................17
THE RANGE CALCULATOR ...................................................................................................................................................17
FUEL LEVEL CALC.:….........................................................................................................................................................18
FUEL ACCU:… ...................................................................................................................................................................18
STOPWATCH…..................................................................................................................................................................18
RESET DISTANCE COUNTER ................................................................................................................................................18
TAKEOFF DISTANCE MEASUREMENT.....................................................................................................................................18
Using the takeoff distance measurement function: .............................................................19
HORIZON &COMPASS SETUP..............................................................................................................................................19
AIRCRAFT SETUP ...............................................................................................................................................................19
SYSTEM SETUP..................................................................................................................................................................19
AIRCRAFT SETUP.......................................................................................................................................20
DATE AND TIME..................................................................................................................................................................20
HOBBS METER...................................................................................................................................................................20
MAINTENANCE METER ........................................................................................................................................................20
AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION ...................................................................................................................................................20
SYSTEM SETUP...........................................................................................................................................21
Mode and units setup..........................................................................................................21
Basic operation setup menu................................................................................................21
Move screen items...............................................................................................................21
Enable screen items............................................................................................................21
Primary flight selection ........................................................................................................21
Engine type quick select......................................................................................................21
Rotor craft setup menu........................................................................................................21
Engine detail setup menu....................................................................................................21
Alarm enable setup menu....................................................................................................21
Sender setup menu .............................................................................................................22
Fuel tank/level sender 1 ......................................................................................................22
Fuel tank/level sender 2 ......................................................................................................22
Calibration menu..................................................................................................................22
Probe trouble shooter..........................................................................................................22
Technical items....................................................................................................................22

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MODE AND UNITS SETUP ..........................................................................................................................22
Altitude display units............................................................................................................22
Local pressure units ............................................................................................................22
Distance/Speed units...........................................................................................................22
Fuel quantity units................................................................................................................23
Temperature units................................................................................................................23
Oil Pressure units ................................................................................................................23
MAP Pressure units.............................................................................................................23
Start of flight detect..............................................................................................................23
Air distance reset.................................................................................................................23
Hour fraction mode..............................................................................................................23
Airtalk This unit is.................................................................................................................23
BASIC OPERATION SETUP MENU.............................................................................................................23
Flight log RPM Trigger (Take-off RPM)...............................................................................24
Hobbs meter trigger RPM....................................................................................................24
Rev counter scale................................................................................................................24
Fuel low alarm tank 1 ..........................................................................................................24
Fuel low alarm tank 2 ..........................................................................................................24
Back light mode...................................................................................................................24
ALT scale.............................................................................................................................24
ASI scale..............................................................................................................................24
Tape resolution....................................................................................................................24
Fuel flow scale.....................................................................................................................24
Stall speed Vs......................................................................................................................24
Flap speed Vf.......................................................................................................................24
Maneuvering speed Vno......................................................................................................24
Never exceed speed Vne....................................................................................................24
Altitude alarm.......................................................................................................................24
MOVE DISPLAY ITEMS ...............................................................................................................................25
ENABLE SCREEN ITEMS............................................................................................................................25
PRIMARY FLIGHT SELECTION...................................................................................................................26
ENGINE TYPE QUICK SELECT...................................................................................................................27
ROTOR CRAFT SETUP MENU....................................................................................................................27
Rotor RPM low alarm: .........................................................................................................27
Rotor RPM high alarm:........................................................................................................27
Engine 100% RPM: .............................................................................................................27
Rotor pulses/10 revs:...........................................................................................................28
Rotor 100% RPM:................................................................................................................28
Engine/Rotor RPM display…...............................................................................................28
ENGINE DETAIL SETUP MENU ..................................................................................................................28
EGT Channels…..................................................................................................................28
EGT alarm limit… ................................................................................................................28
CHT Channels…..................................................................................................................28
CHT alarm limit… ................................................................................................................29
EGT/CHT bargraph mode ...................................................................................................29
Oil Pressure limits................................................................................................................29
Oil and Coolant temperature limits......................................................................................29
MAP bargraph range ...........................................................................................................29
Fuel pressure low alarm ......................................................................................................29
ALARM ENABLE SETUP MENU .................................................................................................................30
SENDER SETUP MENU...............................................................................................................................31
Flow sender type .................................................................................................................31

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Tank mode:…......................................................................................................................31
Range calculation mode… ..................................................................................................31
CHT Thermocouple .............................................................................................................32
Coolant temperature probe..................................................................................................32
Oil Temperature probe ........................................................................................................32
Oil pressure sender .............................................................................................................32
Oil pressure max..................................................................................................................32
Pressure resistance… .........................................................................................................32
Fuel pressure range ............................................................................................................32
Fuel pressure port................................................................................................................32
912/914 CHT type................................................................................................................33
The programmable temperature probe ...............................................................................33
The MGL precision temperature probe ...............................................................................33
FUEL TANK/LEVEL SENDER SETUP 1 AND 2..........................................................................................34
Notes on Slope error ...........................................................................................................35
CALIBRATION MENU..................................................................................................................................36
Airspeed calibration.............................................................................................................36
Altimeter calibration.............................................................................................................36
VSI calibration......................................................................................................................36
Reset ASI and VSI to zero...................................................................................................37
Rev counter: Pulses per 10 revs .........................................................................................37
Fuel flow K-Factor................................................................................................................37
Ambient temperature...........................................................................................................38
MAP calibration....................................................................................................................38
PROBE TROUBLE SHOOTER.....................................................................................................................38
ULTRA HORIZON XL CONFIGURABLE DISPLAYS...................................................................................40
THE ALTIMETER.................................................................................................................................................................41
THE AIR SPEED INDICATOR .................................................................................................................................................42
THE VSI INDICATOR ...........................................................................................................................................................43
THE VSPEED INDICATOR.....................................................................................................................................................43
THE REV COUNTER.............................................................................................................................................................44
About rev counter pickups...................................................................................................44
EGTAND CHT THERMOCOUPLE DISPLAY.............................................................................................................................45
COOLANT TEMPERATURE INDICATOR ...................................................................................................................................46
OIL TEMPERATURE AND OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR ...............................................................................................................46
The oil pressure indicator ....................................................................................................46
The oil temperature indicator...............................................................................................47
MANIFOLD PRESSURE INDICATOR ........................................................................................................................................47
THE FUEL FLOW AND FUEL LEVEL INDICATORS ......................................................................................................................47
The fuel flow indicator..........................................................................................................47
The fuel tank level indicators...............................................................................................48
FUEL PRESSURE INDICATOR................................................................................................................................................48
NUMERIC INFORMATION DISPLAYS .......................................................................................................................................49
DALT (DENSITY ALTITUDE)..............................................................................................49
BARO (BAROMETER) ........................................................................................................49
TIME ....................................................................................................................................49
FLIGHT................................................................................................................................50
GCR.....................................................................................................................................50
TEMP...................................................................................................................................50
TRIP.....................................................................................................................................50
VOLT ...................................................................................................................................50
RANGE................................................................................................................................50
BINGO.................................................................................................................................51
STW.....................................................................................................................................51
HOBBS METER...................................................................................................................51
MAINTENANCE METER.....................................................................................................52
GCR (Glide or climb ratio)...................................................................................................52
OPERATING THE ULTRA HORIZON ..........................................................................................................52

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IFR DISPLAYS USING THE AHRS COMPONENTS....................................................................................53
AHRS mode indicator..........................................................................................................53
Slip indicator........................................................................................................................53
Turn indicator.......................................................................................................................53
The horizon display .............................................................................................................53
COMPASS AND HORIZON SETUP.............................................................................................................54
HORIZON SETUP.........................................................................................................................................54
Set Bump factor...................................................................................................................54
Set Slew factor.....................................................................................................................54
Finding the right filter values................................................................................................55
Attitude mode.......................................................................................................................55
Attitude determination modes..............................................................................................55
IMU attitude determination ..................................................................................................55
Magnetometer based attitude determination.......................................................................55
Set inclination ......................................................................................................................56
COMPASS SETUP .......................................................................................................................................57
Heading mode Magnetic / True...........................................................................................57
Local variation......................................................................................................................57
Tilt compensation mode ......................................................................................................57
Enter Deviation SET mode..................................................................................................58
Clear Deviation calib............................................................................................................58
SET NORTH,SOUTH,EAST,WEST......................................................................................................................................58
USING THE DEVIATION COMPENSATION FEATURE ..............................................................................58
CARING FOR THE STRATOMASTER ULTRA............................................................................................61
PITOT TUBE .......................................................................................................................................................................61
CLEANING .........................................................................................................................................................................61
CALIBRATION.....................................................................................................................................................................61
ALTIMETRY..................................................................................................................................................61
TRUE AIRSPEED (TAS)...............................................................................................................................63
WARRANTY..................................................................................................................................................64
DISCLAIMER................................................................................................................................................64
INSTALLATION MANUAL FOR THE STRATOMASTER ULTRA “H”........................................................66
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................................66
THE ULTRA HORIZON XL REAR PANEL...................................................................................................67
Rear panel connections and items:.....................................................................................67
CONNECTIONS TO THE ULTRA.................................................................................................................68
Power to the Ultra................................................................................................................68
Ambient temperature sender...............................................................................................69
External, visual alarm indicator............................................................................................69
External, audible alarm........................................................................................................70
Pitot tube and static port......................................................................................................70
GETTING STARTED WITH THE ULTRA .....................................................................................................72

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The Stratomaster Ultra Horizon XL
A typical setup including EMS (engine monitoring system)
The Stratomaster Ultra Horizon XL is a digital multifunction instrument designed for use in
ultralight, microlight, experimental and homebuilt aircraft as well as any aircraft that permit
use of such instrumentation under general or special operating permits.
The Ultra is designed around a transflective 5.7” monochrome display panel with a white LED
backlight. Unlike current technology color displays, the monochrome panel is suited for
operation in direct sunlight making it the only viable choice for many small aircraft
applications. The panel does not need to be shaded and is capable of producing a clearly
readable image even in very bright light conditions, with the light falling directly onto the
panel.
The Ultra Horizon XL replaces the following previous product releases:
1) Stratomaster Ultra L
2) Stratomaster Ultra X
3) Stratomaster Ultra HL and HX
4) Stratomaster Ultra RL (Rotorcraft).
The Ultra Horizon XL is a fully user configurable panel that can be used as primary flight
instrumentation display, engine monitor or both.
The Ultra provides two display pages, each page can be configured by the user, choosing
from a selection of more than 50 instruments and display items.
Each item on the screen may be placed where the user wants it and most instruments
provide several different display options. For example you can choose between analog
altimeter and a tape based altimeter amongst other choices.

MGL Avionics Stratomaster Ultra Horizon XL Owner’s manual
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Panels may be designed on the Ultra itself or using a Microsoft Windows based panel design
program available for free download from www.MGLAvionics.co.za.
Two Ultra panels may be connected to each other in a cockpit allowing Pilot/Co-Pilot displays
providing redundancy in case of failure.
The Ultra Horizon XL can be connected to the following sensor sources:
RDAC A four channel thermocouple engine monitor
RDAC B twelve channel thermocouple engine monitor
RDAC C four channel thermocouple engine monitor with manifold pressure sensor
RDAC D twelve channel thermocouple engine monitor with manifold pressure sensor
SP-1 two-axis magnetic compass.
SP-2 three axis, tilt compensated magnetic compass.
SP-3h horizon / turn&bank sensor.
SP-3hc AHRS (attitude and heading reference system) , includes a three axis tilt
compensated magnetic compass.
Details on either of the above can be found in the relevant manuals. Please browse the MGL
Avionics website www.MGLAvionics.co.za for detailed information on these sensor packages.
Most civil aviation authorities permit installation of the Ultra instrument as a secondary
instrument on certified aircraft. Please ensure that you obtain the required permits or STCs
before operating this instrument on a certified aircraft.
The Stratomaster Ultra has been designed with the following objectives in mind:
a) Provide a cost effective solution for a complete instrumentation system for small aircraft.
b) Provide instrumentation with uncompromising accuracy and range.
c) Provide a display unit with a shape and form factor suitable for installation into most small
aircraft panels and pods.
d) Provide a display with the best possible viewing qualities over a wide temperature range,
taking into account operation in bright sunlight as well as low light conditions.
e) Provide a system that offers long term stability and reliability with specific attention to low and
medium frequency mechanical vibrations and shock loads such as when taxing a light aircraft
on rough ground.
f) Provide a system that is easy to install and that maintains its usefulness should a different
type of engine be installed in the aircraft.
The objectives have been achieved using the latest available embedded processing devices,
which result in a drastic reduction of the amount of individual components required. This has
a direct effect on improving reliability and reducing EMI (Electromagnetic interference), long a
bane of digital systems.
Should you be using a RDAC X engine monitoring system, please refer to the manual that
was included with your RDAC for specific installation instructions.

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Typical installation options
The above picture shows a typical single panel installation with an RDAC X engine monitor and
SP-x compass or IMU sensor package.
Both RDAC and SP-x sensor package are optional components, although most installations
make use of the RDAC engine monitoring system.

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The above picture shows a dual panel setup. Two identical Ultra panels are used. The left panel
is configured as master (setup in the mode menu) and the right panel is the slave.
The slave panel obtains all engine and other instrument data from the master panel via the airtalk
link.
RDAC engine monitor and SP-x compass or IMU sensor packages are optional components. It is
not strictly required that an Ultra system has an engine monitor, although most installations do.
For the above installation, the RDAC and tubing for airspeed and altimeter would normally be
connected to both systems. This makes it possible to change the master/slave assignment
should this be required.
For a dual panel layout, two distinctly different operating modes can be selected. The first is a
mode where both panels operate autonomously but will share the same engine monitoring RDAC
– the RDAC is wired to both panels. Also, the SP-3 is shared.
In this mode, the only interaction between the two panels is the adjustment of local pressure for
the altimeter. You can change the pressure setting on any panel and the other will follow.
The second dual panel mode uses one panel as passive and the other as active panel. The
active panel transmits all relevant data from altitude and airspeed to engine monitoring data to
the passive panel. The passive panel does not acquire any data of its own but uses the data from
the active panel instead.
Dual panel modes are setup in the Mode and Units setup menu.

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SPECIFICATIONS:
General specifications
Ultra Display unit:
Size: 202x135 mm. Mounting depth 95mm (including connectors and wiring). Panel cutout
196x122 mm.
Weight: 980 grams. Excluding external senders, including RDAC unit.
Power supply requirements: 12V DC nominal. Range 6.5V DC to 28V DC. Internally
protected to 33 V DC.
Current consumption: 80 mA with back light at 13.8V DC. Excludes current requirements of
external sensor packages if any.
External temperature sensor input: Optimized for National Semiconductor LM335
temperature sender.
Alarm output: Active low pull down transistor output suitable for switching of lamps and LEDs
with dropping resistors. Maximum current 0.5A DC.
Air-talk link: Two Air-talk links are provided. These are used to connect to other Air-Talk
compatible devices. Standard audio RCA cable and connectors are used as medium. Air-talk
is intended as a short distance, multi master communications link allowing Air-talk compatible
devices to share information. The Stratomaster Ultra uses the Air-talk link to connect to
another Stratomaster Ultra a PC, Flight data recorder (black box), and key download devices
(for transfer of the log to a remote PC).
The airtalk link is also used to connect either SP-1, SP-2 or SP-3 attitude and heading sensor
packages.
Rotor speed sensor input: This input is used for the split rotor speed and engine power
instrument. Intended for rotor craft such as Gyro planes and helicopters.
Technical specifications Ultra display unit
Altimeter
Range 0-40 000 ft (12 195 m), 1ft (or 1 m) dynamic resolution, 7.5 ft (or 2 m) static resolution
at sea level. Dynamic resolution applies with the aircraft in flight. Dynamic resolution is
measured by mathematically evaluating the turbulence created around the aircraft.
Basic accuracy at 20 degrees C (68 degrees F) +/- 30 ft (9 m) based on calibration to
mercury manometer at +/- 1 mb (0.0295 Inch of Hg).
Maximum theoretical error factor +/- 1.5% over temperature range 0-40 degrees C (104
degrees F). Typical error factor over temperature range 0-40 degrees C (104 degrees F) is
less than 0.5%
Note: The altimeter can be operated to altitudes above 40 000 ft (12 195 m). Range and
accuracy above the 40 000 ft (12 195 m) level are dependant on individual units. The
achievable range is in the region of 45 000 ft (13 720 m) to 60 000 ft (18 293 m) depending
on manufacturing tolerances of the pressure sensor.

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Airspeed indicator
Range 0-250 mph (402 Kph or 217 Knots), 1 mph (1 Kph or 1 Knot) resolution. Theoretical
accuracy 1% at 20 degrees C (68 degrees F), subject to installation of pitot tube and airflow
pattern around aircraft.
VSI
Range +/- 9 990 ft. (3 045 m) Resolution truncated to 10 ft/minute (5cm per second).
Internally 1 ft/minute. Accuracy +/-5 %, Please note: The VSI is compensated for altitude.
Minimum display resolution is as low as 10 ft/min (5cm per second) with a +/-2 000 ft (610 m)
maximum reading.
Technical specifications RDAC
Rev counter
Range 0 to 9 999 revs. Resolution is dependant on rev counter setup in instrument.
Accuracy: +/- 0.0005% + resolution.
Fuel flow sender input
Accuracy of measurement is +/-0.05% subject to accuracy of fuel flow sender used. Example
sender is MGL Avionics dual range fuel flow sender: +/- 3% uncalibrated, typically less than
1% calibrated.
Fuel level sender inputs
Intended for use with resistive fuel level probes. Can be used with most capacitive type
probes as well.
Input consists of a 1000 ohm pullup resistor to a 5VDC source.
Measurement accuracy of input: +/-2%. Overall measurement accuracy of fuel level is subject
to quality and installation of chosen fuel level sender as well as complexity and form of tank
shape.
Using the prescribed calibration procedure we find we can calibrate within 5% of actual level
for most tank shapes.
Oil pressure sender input
1500 ohm pullup resistor to 5VDC source. For use with typical VDO and similar resistive oil
pressure senders. Supports senders that increase resistance with pressure as well as
senders that decrease resistance with pressure. Supports resistance ranges from 50 to 1000
ohms full range.
NTC temperature sender inputs
Measurement accuracy +/- 2% subject to accuracy of sender. Note: Senders are
manufactured with a tolerance of up to +/- 20%.
Thermocouple temperature sender inputs
Measurement accuracy +/- 1%. The thermocouple amplifier system used is highly stable and
long-term drift elimination is achieved by using a chopper stabilized system. The system

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employed features full, accurate cold junction compensation and bow voltage correction. The
system is further highly immune to received EMI from high powered radio transmitters.
Power supply
The Stratomaster Ultra unit is optimized and intended for operation on a 12V DC supply such
as a motorcycle battery. However, it can be operated on any power supply down to about 6.5
volts as well as aircraft power supplies of 24 or 28V DC.
Current consumption may vary slightly between units but is typically in the region of 40 mA
without display back light and 80 mA with display back light.
Current consumption reduces as supply voltage increases.
The unit is internally protected against temporary over voltage loads such as those that can
be produced by a cranking starter motor.
It is advisable to power the unit via a fuse or circuit breaker. A fuse rating of 1A (slow blow) is
recommended. Generally it is accepted to use circuit breakers that can be reset during flight
should the need arise. Ordinary fuses are not recommended for aircraft use.

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The Stratomaster Ultra Horizon XL features and functions
Basic system functions
•Altitude to 40 000 ft (12 195 m) calibrated, 1ft dynamic resolution
•Airspeed ASI analog and digital, TAS digital
•Stopwatch
•Glide and climb ratio to 1/99
•QNH 960 to 1 060 mb (28.3 - 31.3 Inch of Hg)
•QNE 1013 mb quick select (29.9 Inches of Hg)
•Time of day, Date for flight log entries
•Air time since take-off (or lesson time)
•Ambient temperature using external sensor
•Up to two Fuel level using flow sender or optional level sender
•Fuel flow using optional flow sender
•Current range estimate (range at current speed and fuel burn)
•Fuel bingo estimate (time until tank empty)
•Range calculator using manually entered ground speed
•Air distance made good
•Voltage. Supply to unit. Usually 12V battery.
•VSI +/- 9 990 ft/minute (50.7 meters per second) range
•Flight log storing up to 200 entries
•Hobbs meter, presetable to current engine time
•Density altimeter
•Barometer for ambient pressure
•Aircraft registration number display
•Maintenance timer
•Warnings for engine temperature, speed high, speed low, maximum altitude, low fuel
level, etc
•Alarm output to switch a warning lamp
•Audio alarm output to drive a panel speaker or low level output for alarm tone injection
into a suitably equipped headset or intercom system.
•Master and slave modes for dual instrument setup
•Measuring take-off run to 50 ft (15.24 m) above ground level
•Artificial horizon (requires SP-3h, SP-3hc)
•Slip indicator (requires SP-3h, SP-3hc)
•Rate of turn indicator (requires SP-3h, SP-3hc)
•Compass (requires SP-1, SP-2 or SP-3hc)
•Air talk link for connection to:
A) PC’s and Laptops using optional cable
B) Stratomaster “Black Box” flight recorder
C) Stratomaster Ultra secondary instrument
D) Key ring flight log download device
E) Compass and AHRS sensor packages
RDAC EMS functions
•Four or twelve channel thermocouple amplifier, high resolution chopper stabilized system
with full cold junction compensation and bow voltage correction to laboratory standards.
The inputs can accept K-type or J-type thermocouples (selectable via provided menu
functions)
•Oil and Water temperature NTC input compatible with most oil temperature senders and
the MGL water temperature sender. Also accepts MGL precision semiconductor senders
for water and oil temperature.

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•Universal rev counter input. Can be used on a wide variety of engines using a variety of
interface methods.
•Fuel flow sender input. Can be used with most commercial liquid flow senders.
Calibration via provided menu functions.
•Oil pressure sender input. Accepts most commercial oil pressure senders including those
from VDO.
•Fuel level sender input with extensive calibration functions provided to allow direct
readout of fuel quantity corrected for tank shape and sender tolerances.
•LM335 sensor based temperature sender to indicate ice warning. The sender is normally
fitted to the outside of a carburetor, in close proximity to the throttle slider or valve or in
the intake airflow.
The EMS included with the Ultra “H” provides for a wide variety of engines and the display
unit can be configured in many different ways as outlined under the “Device setup menu”.
AHRS and compass functions
Available funcions in this category depend on the capabilities of the sensor package
connected. The following list shows functions available with the SP-3hc package.
•Bank/Pitch attitude display. This display resembles the artificial horizon as found on typical
IFR panels. The attitude display is not restricted to a range of bank or pitch and is thus
fully aerobatics capable.
•Bank&Turn display. This consits of Rate 1 markers (2 minute standard rate turn at 20
degrees bank) and a traditional “ball slip” display.
•Compass or gyro compass heading. This depends on the abilities of the connected
package.
Flight log
Perhaps one of the most useful features of the Stratomaster Ultra instrument is the ability to
record a flight log.
You can setup your Stratomaster Ultra to record a log entry in one of the following ways:
1. Automatic flight log normal aircraft. This will automatically detect the start of a flight and
end of a flight. The unit uses engine revs in combination with airspeed to detect a flight.
This is the way most pilots prefer to operate the Stratomaster Ultra.
2. Automatic flight log rotor craft. This operates similar to above but air speed is not taken
into account. Instead, rotor speed above 70% of the 100% setting is used to mark
possible start of a flight. If you select the split rotor/engine RPM display this mode is
automatically selected.
3. Manual flight log. In this case the pilot manually starts a flight and ends it. This mode is
used mainly if no rev counter input to the instrument is available.
The Stratomaster Ultra will log all flights of longer than one minute. Any flights with less than one
minute accumulated time are not stored in the log.
The Stratomaster Ultra will store the last 200 flights in the log.
At the end of a flight, the pilot number selected in the main menu will be written to the log entry
for the flight. This can be used to log airtime of several pilots, for example with aircraft sharing
schemes. The log can be viewed at any time. Please also note that the log may be downloaded
to a PC using a direct cable connection or key-ring download device (optional extras).
The following information pertaining to a flight will be logged:

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•Date (DD/MM) of take-off
•Take-off time.
•Flight time. Displayed in either hours and minutes or hours and fraction of hours
depending on setup.
•Highest altitude reached (In ft or meters depending on setup)
•Maximum airspeed obtained. Displayed airspeed depends on whether ASI or TAS is
selected. (Displayed in kilometers, miles or knots depending on setup).
•Hobbs meter reading at end of flight/lesson (Displayed in either hours and minutes or
hours and fraction of hours depending on setup)
•Pilot number

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The Ultra Horizon XL menus
Nearlt all of the Ultra Horizons functions are accessed via menus. The menus are easily
navigated. Press Menu from any of the two main display pages to enter the “Main Menu”. From
here you have access to several functions and three sub menus.
Use the “Prev” and “Next” buttons to choose a menu item and press “Select” to enter the function
or sub menu. Some functions accessible in the Main menu can be controlled directly with
“Select”, “+” or “-“ as indicated in the item itself.
The following graphic shows the menu structure of the Ultra.

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The main menu
The main menu is entered from the main instrument display by pressing the menu key.
The main menu is your route to accessing several additional functions as well as activating the
many setup and configuration menus and functions.
Flight…
This menu entry shows you your current flight detect status if you have automatic flight detect
enabled. The above display would be shown if you are in flight.
If you are using manual flight start and stop, then this menu entry will allow you to start and stop
flights. In this case automatic flight detect is disabled.
We recommend that you use automatic flight detect.
Flight detection is relevant for logging of flights for your built in flight log.
Pilot for flight log:
When a flight ends the flight information is written to the built in flight log. Each log entry contains
a field containing the pilot number as selected in this field.
This can be used to keep track of flight times for several pilots when the aircraft is shared.
View Flight Log
This function allows you to view the logged flight details. The Ultra will maintain a log of the last
200 flights. The log can also be downloaded to a PC using the free flight log program from MGL
Avionics (download from the website www.MGLAvionics.co.za). The log can be downloaded by
direct cable connection using an airtalk to PC cable or you can use a MGL Avionics flight log
download key device to transfer flight log data from your aircraft to your PC at home.
The range calculator
The Stratomaster Ultra includes a useful range calculator if you have at minimum a fuel flow
sender.

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The range calculator defaults to your current TAS (true airspeed) as shown on the airspeed
indicator face (bottom right corner). This agrees with the range calculation as shown if you have a
range display enabled.
Move the menu highlight to the range calculator as shown above and you can now change the
speed using the + and – keys. You might want to enter your current ground speed as shown on a
GPS for example.
Range will be calculated using your current fuel flow reading as a base as well as the current fuel
level.
As with all instrument readings, it is the pilot’s responsibility to use these figures responsibly.
Be certain that fuel level reflected is correct and that fuel flow as shown is calibrated and
trustworthy.
The range calculator must never be used to stretch a marginal fuel range situation. It is the
pilot’s responsibility to work on actual fuel burn figures as well as loaded fuel quantities at
all times. Good airmanship includes always planning a flight with sufficient fuel reserves.
Fuel level Calc.:…
This menu entry allows you to adjust your calculated fuel level. You can use a calculated fuel
level if you have a fuel flow sender connected.
Set the calculated fuel level equal to your loaded fuel whenever you fuel or de-fuel your aircraft.
You can set either of the two fuel level displays to show you the calculated fuel level instead of a
physical fuel level obtained from a fuel level sender.
Fuel accu:…
This entry shows your accumulated fuel burn if you have a fuel flow sender connected. You can
reset the accumulator by moving the highlight to this entry and then pressing “Select”.
Stopwatch…
This function allows you to start, stop and reset the built in stopwatch. To view the stopwatch, you
need to place the stopwatch display item onto one or both display pages.
Reset distance counter
This function resets the airspeed based trip counter to zero. Place the highlight on this item and
then press “Select” to set the trip counter to zero.
Note: you can setup the system to clear this counter to zero every time you start a flight. This is
done in the Mode and units setup menu.
To view the distance trip counter you need to place the trip display item onto one or two display
pages.
Takeoff distance measurement

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This interesting function will measure your takeoff distance based on the distance you have
traveled through a body of air to the point where your altitude is 50 ft higher then at the point you
started. This corresponds to standard 50 ft obstacle takeoff distance measurements.
The distance shown will be fairly independent on wind factors and corresponds closely to the
zero windspeed takeoff distance when used on a tar runway.
For grass runways the distance will be influenced by the additional friction between your aircrafts
wheels and the grass runway. This tends to make your takeoff run measured shorter if you
takeoff into significant wind when compared to zero windspeed using the same runway. Please
note, we are talking about distance traveled though a moving body of air, not actual distance
traveled on the ground.
Using the takeoff distance measurement function:
Taxi to the start of your takeoff run and finish your pre-takeoff checks. When you are ready to roll,
move the highlight to this entry and press select. The display changes to:
Start your takeoff run…
Start your takeoff run immediately. Once you have exceeded an airspeed of 16mph the display
changes to:
Rolling…
Once you have exceeded 50 ft altitude gain the display changes again and will display your
takeoff distance:
Takeoff distance is 135m (example distance in meters)
Please note:
Once you have started the takeoff distance measuring mode, you may change back to the main
display screen.
Once you have reached a safe altitude, switch back to the menu to read your takeoff distance.
Horizon & Compass setup
This entry branches into the horizon and compass setup menu. You will only need these
functions if you have a SP-1 or SP-2 compass or SP-3h or SP-4hc IMU system.
The Horizon and Compass menu is described later in this manual.
Aircraft setup
This function branches into a menu that allows you to set items such as date/time, hobbs meter
etc.
System setup
This selection branches into the System setup menu. Here you will find all the items required to
customize your Ultra to your needs.

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Aircraft setup
The following items are setup under the Aircraft setup:
a) Date and time for the built in clock
b) Hobbs meter pre-set
c) Maintenance meter
a) Aircraft registration number
Date and time
Date and time is used for your flight log. Time of day is a display available both during flight
and on the ground. Please note: The year is never stored in the log. The only reason for
entering the year is to be able to correct for leap years. The internal real-time clock contains a
year based counter that can count from 0 to 3 for leap year correction.
Use Next/Prev to select the item and then use +/- to change it.
(Nb: The Stratomaster Ultra uses a 24-hour clock)
Hobbs meter
The hobbs meter contained the the Stratomaster Ultra is pre-settable. You can set the meter
to any time you like, usually this would be to your currently known engine time.
Use the Prev/Next keys to select the item and then use +/- to change it.
Maintenance meter
The maintenance meter can be viewed as a hobbs meter “in reverse”. It counts engine
running time down instead of up. This timer is used to control engine maintenance times, for
example spark plug changes or MPI’s. The maintenance timer is subject to the setting of the
hobbs revs.
Use the Prev/Next keys to select the item and then use +/- to change it.
Aircraft registration
Enter your name or aircraft registration marks into this field to personalize your instrument.
You have 6 characters available.
Use the Prev/Next keys to select a character and then use +/- to change it.
Available characters:
Alphabet in capital letters
Alphabet in small letters
Numbers 0 - 9