Aspen EDF1000 Pro / Century 41 Autopilot

[chuck459]

Has anyone installed an Aspen EFD1000 PFD in an aircraft with a Century 41 autopilot?  

 

I am about to do this and I am totally confused as to whether the Aspen will display the flight director signals sent from this autopilot.  According to both Aspen and Century, the Aspen will display single-cue flight director signals from a Century 41 autopilot.  My avionics shop however tells me that the computer in my Century 41 (P/N 28S108) will only output two-cue flight director signals. I am aware that the Aspen can only display single-cue FD signals, but the Century 41 is supposed to drive both types.  I was not aware that there were different models of the autopilot that could only drive certain flight directors.  This is not documented anywhere that I can find.  The technical people at both Aspen and Century are very vague about this and so far have not been very helpful.

 

If anyone has any definitive information they would care to share, it would be much appreciated.

 

 

 

 

[John Pleisse]

Aspen President of Product Management, Peter Lyons, has/or did have a nice 231 and has been a member on this board, you'll have to search. Or call him at Aspen directly. Great guy to know and speak with. I have a series 2000 w/an Stec 55x. I had to add the Stec annunciator box to get the FD to work and I have since learned subsequent software updates have negated the need for this box. I thought Aspen had all of them covered with software at this point. It should accommodate the FD.

[Marauder]

Chuck -- I did a little digging. Do you currently have the two cue AI in the plane? The reason I ask is that the Century 41 two cue flight director is an option for the base unit. It comes standard with the single cue. So, my question is why would someone buy an autopilot for a plane with an optional capability and not use it? Have you confirmed with Century or another shop that it is truly a two cue system?

Aspen does only support the single cue. And personally, if I had to choose between the single and two cue FD, I would select the single. If you don't have a FD currently installed, I wonder if Century might do a swap with you for a replacement computer. You are going to love the Aspen.

Here is a picture of the Aspen single cue FD on my STEC 60-2:

[KSMooniac]

Peter is no longer with Aspen, FWIW.  I believe he still has his 231.

[chuck459]

Marauder – Thanks again for the comments.  My airplane has no flight director at all.  My avionics tech called Century and gave them the P/N of my autopilot computer.  Without any hesitation, they said that it was a two-cue unit.  This surprises me.  I would have thought that it would have only been a pin swap to reconfigure the computer from single-cue to two-cue.  After the holidays I plan to discuss my options with Century.

 

As for single-cue vs two-cue, I spent over twenty years flying Boeing aircraft equipped with single-cue flight directors.  I loved them – until I began flying a DC-10 which had a two-cue system.  I found that _much_ more intuitive and easy to use.  I guess it all depends on what one gets used to.  Unfortunately it looks like my new Aspen may not have _any_ FD.  If Century wan't too much to swap computers, I think I will just pass and fly my approaches the old fashioned way.

[Marauder]

Chuck I think there are some electronic driver differences based on the fact that you are moving 2 indicators on the double cue and a coordinated single indicator on the the single cue. I think what I struggled with the double was the anticipation with the rate needed to satisfy the condition. I flew it more like an ILS than a FD. The single cue was more intuitive for me. Stick the chevron under the wedge and are there. Funny how are minds are wired... On a side note, if you have the GPSS wired up, you will think you have hit avionics heaven. The Aspen does a great job of handling it with the AP. I can't believe how much more capabilities you get with it.

[Marauder]

Here is a video I made flying an LPV approaching using GPSS for the entire procedure.