I had only used the autopilot in the steam-gauge C172 and the A320 to-date, but I looked into the operation of the G1000 autopilot, as found in the G36 Bonanza, and this is the way I've seen it described and the way I'm using it to set my altitude is as follows:
- Once in the air, turn the autopilot on. The three bars at the top of the main pilot's display will now be filled with the AP info in green.
- Next, set the altitude desired, which will also display on the main screen but over the top of the altitude bar.
- Once that is done, press the vertical speed button to engage that mode. Using the two increase/decrease buttons near it, adjust your desired vertical speed (this will be displayed within the AP info at the top of the main display).
- The aircraft will continue climbing or descending at the set vertical speed until it gets near to and reaches the set altitude. The vertical speed mode then automatically disengages and altitude hold engages.
You shouldn't have to do anything else. (Fortunately setting and holding the heading is easy.)
Operating the auto pilot in the C208 and SR22 is the exact same, except that the autopilot controls have their own panel. In both the C208 and SR22, instead of buttons for the vertical speed incr/decr, it is controlled with a little dial/wheel instead.
I've been dialing in my cruise altitude while still on the ground, and then activating the AP and vert speed after I clear the airport airspace. It all seems to work really well.
A good video on using the G1000 type autopilot here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zziqKa9_h10
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