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Looks like the AeroCruze saga will be a bust for me. Anyone considering this product, get all your ducks in a row before plunking down money. I had been waiting for this autopilot like most everyone else interested for several years. Paid full price and got in the queue once I heard Duncan had finally accomplished the STC. Waited over six months before the kit was delivered to my avionics shop. Flew 3.5 hrs down to drop my ‘76 Ranger off, came back a week later to fly 3.5 hrs back after finding out Duncan had not shipped a complete kit and didn’t bother telling anyone they were missing parts. Parts issue finally resolved, flew another 3.5 hrs down to try again. Once belly pan was off, the fuselage did not reflect any of the CAD, (not actual pictures) drawings for an install. Only one email was returned by Duncan writing they needed an IPC for the Ranger to see what’s up. PDF of Catalog was sent, that was the last we heard from Duncan and BK after numerous calls and emails. Indirectly I’ve come to understand the STC was pulled for further research. No pieces for the pitch servo bracket will fit a stock ‘76 M20C Ranger serial 1213. It’s also no guarantee the AeroCruze100 will fit ANY Mooney. My shop is going to try a J next and said they are already noticing differences not accounted for in the instructions. Now I have to fly the 3.5 back home, “empty handed” but wallet lightened after 14 hours of flying to and from a place I had no other interest visiting. The “Hail Mary” pass will be a nearby sheet metal guy who is supposed to stop by as well as a local DER to see if the bracket could be modded or recreated to work in the future . That is however ANOTHER 7 hour round trip plus the unknown added costs of the sheet metal work and DER inspection/drawings without guarantees it will even work. This latest boondoggle has run me right up against a previously scheduled date to begin the annual. I’m pulling the plug, sending the AeroCruze back for a deserved refund, and hopefully passing on fair warning to the rest of the dreamers. Make sure the STC is actually done, AND it covers your exact serial number, AND you have pictures of the mount points to share with your installer and the CAD instructions before you invest a lot in wasted hours, gas, and frustration…

Great Texas old school flyin. http://rangerairfield.org/ https://www.facebook.com/events/490208994489923/permalink/611779655666189/#