Accu-Trak

[TWinter]

Well the avionics shop finally got caught up enough to get my Accu-Trak Auto Pilot installed today. Can't wait to pick it up Friday afternoon if the storms move out. I searched the forum and talked with Brittain a few times as far as proper usage. Looks pretty straight forward ( I think). Big shout out to the folks at Brittain. These units are getting slightly harder to come by so it was not something my shop was overly familiar with. I called a few times when I first bought this back in the fall/winter. I sent it to them for a look-over and yellow tag. They tweaked and checked it over and sent it back within a few weeks.

 

I know my tech called Brittain 3-4 times during the install just to make sure everything was done perfectly and for some minor clarification. I called twice today to ask about the sequencing and activating while in flight etc.. The guys at Brittain were always available to answer questions and NO question was a dumb question. I'll be using the GTN 750 with Stec-30 Alt Hold and Accu-Trak. Hopefully all will be dialed in right off the bat. Since it's been sitting on the shelf since fall/winter I'm pretty excited to give it a try. Panel space is now at a premium on my bird with no room without stepping up to a remote audio panel...I guess I'm done for now..LOL 

[N33GG]

My Accu-Trak II works awesome with my Garmin 430W. Love it! It is a very capable piece of equipment, even though it is quite simple. Good luck, and congrats!

[scottfromiowa]

My Accu-Trak II works awesome with my Garmin 430W. Love it! It is a very capable piece of equipment, even though it is quite simple. Good luck, and congrats!

+1 Enjoy!

[cliffy]

I've got mine tied to an old Garmin 155TSO and it works great. Not approach certified but I tried it in VFR just to see what it would do and it would have hit the white line on the runway if I let it go to touch down. More a function of the GPS accuracy but the A/P does a fine job.

[TWinter]

I spent a few hours with the Accu Trak today and really enjoyed the ease of use and accuracy. I've got it tied into the GTN750 and it tracks very well. Money well spent. Anxious to use it on a longer trip. If you are looking for a budget AP these are great!

[Mooneymite]

Where did you find a shop familiar with Brittain installations?

[TWinter]

@ Mooneymite,

 

Caruthersville Avionics (Caruthersville, MO) did the install for me. They are my regular shop and have done all of my upgrades/annuals. It was a first for them installing the Accu Trak. Excellent avionics shop. If at some point something internal (inside the box) went bad I'm not sure they would want to dig into it, but the install was no problem. I also think I read in the supplemental paperwork from Brittain it states that to be correctly certified any internal repairs must be done by Brittain. I bought the unit from a forum member and everything was included, got a great deal. While at Brittain they changed a capacitor and a few other odds/ends, replaced the filter etc. just to upgrade it somewhat.. It cost about $350 to have Brittain re-certify it and assign it to my bird. When they sent it back they included some extra vac hoses and all install manuals and paperwork.

 

I've never had to have any service done on my original PC so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the lines remain good and no air leaks develop.

 

Brittain will do a installs and they quoted 10 to 13 hrs labor depending on the aircrafts panel configuration, however, they are backed up for months. My shop ended installing at 15 hrs install time. Not bad for not having done it before. At some time I'll probably fly to Tulsa and have them replace all the regular PC filters and just have them give everything a good look over. Always looking for a reason to fly. All is good for now and enjoying.

[Mooneymite]

MO?  Wow, I was hoping you were using a shop in TN.

 

For me to fly out to Tulsa and back adds $500 in fuel costs to the overall install cost!

 

Maybe I should look for an install closer to Atlanta.

[N601RX]

These are simple to install. The hoses are color coded, ( red hose to valve port with red dot). There are 2 color coded wires to the valve plus power and ground. Then there are 2 wires(left and right) that connects to the CDI. I sent my parts to Brittain they went thought them and rebuilt them for under $400. They returned them with all the paper work and install instructions. My IA and I did the install.

We also installed their Accuflite and altitude hold at the same time.

[Mooneymite]

 My IA and I did the install.

 

 

When I originally bought the Accutrak, I had planned to let my hangar fairries do the install, but when I started looking at the paperwork, I began to doubt that my IA would be happy.  I may have to re-visit that possibility.

[TWinter]

The avionics shop I use in Missouri is only 18 miles miles from me.. .. I'm located in west TN (Dyersburg). I can hit TN, MO or AR within 20 minutes. I see what you mean though as far as finding a close shop. If my guy did not get to it I was headed to Tulsa.

[Hank]

MO?  Wow, I was hoping you were using a shop in TN.

 

For me to fly out to Tulsa and back adds $500 in fuel costs to the overall install cost!

 

Maybe I should look for an install closer to Atlanta.

 

Did you check with Joey Cole? He should be open in Dalton now.

[Tmarsha]

Hi guys, I have the original Brittain AP, PC system and Apollo flybuddy GPS, all INOP. With budget the primary criteria, I'm interested in recommendations to have a functional AP and IFR certified GPS. I had a 430W and original Cessna AP in my C182 I sold two years ago and really liked the 430. I have called and talked to Jerry at Brittain in the past about flying out there and rebuilding the AP so that is an option. I would love an AP with ALT hold/select but don't have $10k. Would also like to install a new 430, however that is another $8-9k. I love the Mooney and would like it to be my last AC. Thoughts, suggestions are appreciated.  Tom 

[Marauder]

Hi guys, I have the original Brittain AP, PC system and Apollo flybuddy GPS, all INOP. With budget the primary criteria, I'm interested in recommendations to have a functional AP and IFR certified GPS. I had a 430W and original Cessna AP in my C182 I sold two years ago and really liked the 430. I have called and talked to Jerry at Brittain in the past about flying out there and rebuilding the AP so that is an option. I would love an AP with ALT hold/select but don't have $10k. Would also like to install a new 430, however that is another $8-9k. I love the Mooney and would like it to be my last AC. Thoughts, suggestions are appreciated. Tom

Tough situation since both of what you want done will cost you. I made the decision my F model would be my keeper and saved up to make the upgrades happen. I did the AP first in 1998 since I felt it was the most critical safety factor I could introduce to the aircraft with a wife and two small kids.

Last year I took the big jump and updated one of the Nav/Coms to a GPS and added Aspens.

The hard part of what you are trying to do is justify the money over the value. Quite honestly, I will never get my expenditures back out and I don't care. I have a true 150 knot airplane that I know inside and out. With the kids grown, it is the perfect getaway plane for my wife and I.

The options, based on your wants/needs are straightforward;

1) Do the upgrades over time.

2) Get a loan and do it all at once.

3) Find a partner and split the cost.

4) Get as much as you can out of the plane you have and try to find one with what you want (there are big trade-offs here).

You only live once, find a way to make it happen and do it!

Sent using Tapatalk

[carusoam]

You only live once, and it may be shorter tha.....

Fly Fast!

-a-

[N33GG]

Stated another way, reach deep in your pocket...

(Like most of us already have....)

[TWinter]

I spread mine over a year+. Did a refi on the plane for the GTN750 plus a few other goodies. Amounted to about 17K onto my existing note. Over the next 4-5 months saved cash for the Stec30 Alt Hold and finally scored the Accu Trak on the forum very reasonably priced about six months later..Sent to Brittian for yellow tag and then three months after that had my shop install and tie into the 750. Usually, my recovery time is about 4-5 months between purchases. No telling what I have spent over the last few years, but I know every revit and most every characteristic of my Mooney. There is lot to be said for just upgrading as you can afford it. If you have the equity in the plane a small refi might be in order, also check interest rates.

 

As you said this might be your last so I say do a little at a time. I love the Accu Track. Granted I don't have all the wizbang features of the new autopilots and it won't put you right on the runway, but this combination still using some of the older hardware makes me feel like I'm still a "pilot" and not just there for the ride. Gotta do what works for you, your budget and where you see yourself with that particular plane later down the road. Personally, My budget is bust this year, but love how she feels now. Just need to save for Osh now.  Good luck! 

[Tmarsha]

Good insight, thanks for taking the time to share your opinions. This has nothing to do with getting back out what you put in. This is all about finding the best options for the type of flying I will be doing. I am retiring the end of this month and will be flying much more, hopefully more long cross country stuff. I understand from an avionics shop in Prescott they are no longer installing used STEC gear, not sure if it is related to liability or ?? I will continue the research and search. Tom

[Marauder]

The STEC situation is probably because STEC is requiring payment for transferring the STC. Was like something in the neighborhood of $1500 IIRC. I also thought I heard they wanted the boxes back to update them. Not sure if that is true, but if it is, I could see how this would get pretty expensive for a shop to pass this along to a new owner. With your plans on doing more long cross countries, I would pursue the AP first. It took me 14 years to migrate to GPS, but the AP was a great asset for me. Sent using Tapatalk