GPSS Roll Steering

[Top Heavy]

I am planning on installing GPSS roll steering in my Mooney Bravo. I have a K-150 autopilot and a Garmin 530W/430 GPS. There are a number of GPSS options on the market (e.g. Icarus, S-Tec, GDC31, etc).

Does anyone have an opinion/experience with the pros or cons of the available options?

[carusoam]

I was reading about the Icarus.

The manual / POH insert lists the compatibility with your hardware.

KAP 150 and your HSI/DG...

My hardware was on the list. But others things kept me from following through on the project.

Best regards,

-a-

[Alan Fox]

The STEC GPSS will only work with an STEC autopilot...The Icarus , and GDC will work fine...The Icarus can do an unbelievable amount of warnings and annunciations but it requires a much more involved installation , also if you buy preowned plan on spending a few hundred to replace the screen on the Icarus as they are a common failure.... 

[jackn]

I have the Icarus and kfc150. Works great. I have it connected to my 327 transponder in order to provide gear warning at 700 agl, also hooked up to stall switch to annunciation 'stall'. I have not had a problem with the display in the 5 years I've owned. That being said, I'd seriously consider jumping to an Aspen pfd pro. You'll get GPSS and much more.

[Cruiser]

An Aspen PFD is an excellent source for GPSS.

[DrBill]

I have the Stec with Stec 30 AP and 430W.. Awesome combination.

I love it.

[Bennett]

I have the Icarus SAM connected to the KAP 150 via a GTN. 750. Awesome combination. I really like GPSS steering. I don't use all the Icarus functions.

[Bravoman]

I have an S-tec 60-2 and S-tec gpss unit with the gpss/ hdg selector switch with a 430w in a toga that works great. In the Mooney(also a Bravo) have gtn 650 and Aspen PFD which provides Gpss roll steer function. I have same auto pilot as you. Both are excellent set ups and although I am no expert I would think that an Aspen PFD would be most cost effective way for you to go

Regards, Frank

[BorealOne]

G530W, Aspen + KFC150 - works like a charm.

[Top Heavy]

Thanks for the input. I had never really considered the Aspen upgrade as a GPSS option. Something to think about.

[rbridges]

Thanks for the input. I had never really considered the Aspen upgrade as a GPSS option. Something to think about.

 

I have the STEC unit since I have an STEC AP.  I actually bought it from ebay from a guy who upgraded to the Aspen GPSS.  The STEC unit is pretty bullet proof.  I asked about the Icarus unit but decided on the stec just b/c I didn't think I would care for the extras.

[jlunseth]

I have the Icarus and love it.  Switching from HDG to GPSS for guidance is seamless.  The "extras" are the warnings, and being an old guy I find them useful.  I put three items for the Icarus in my pre-flight checklist and do them every time.  They are (1) to set the destination altitude, (2) to set the pressure, and (3) to set the target altitude after takeoff.  The target altitude alerts you when you are reaching your ATC assigned altitude so during the hectic post-takeoff period in a class Bravo, you don't blow your altitude.  I haven't ever, since I got the Icarus, and that is a few years now.  Setting the destination altitude gives you a "GUMPS" or "GEAR GEAR" alert, your choice, and reminds you to do you know what knock on wood when you are coming in to land.  Never had a problem with that one either.  Setting the pressure enables the other two to work properly.  There are many more alerts and some readouts on the button, use whatever you like.  They can be silenced with a toggle switch if the "nag" gets to be a bit too much.

 

Being the only pilot in the cockpit almost all the time, I find it useful to have the alerts.

[flyboy0681]

I have the Icarus and love it.  Switching from HDG to GPSS for guidance is seamless.  The "extras" are the warnings, and being an old guy I find them useful.  I put three items for the Icarus in my pre-flight checklist and do them every time.  They are (1) to set the destination altitude, (2) to set the pressure, and (3) to set the target altitude after takeoff.  The target altitude alerts you when you are reaching your ATC assigned altitude so during the hectic post-takeoff period in a class Bravo, you don't blow your altitude.  I haven't ever, since I got the Icarus, and that is a few years now.  Setting the destination altitude gives you a "GUMPS" or "GEAR GEAR" alert, your choice, and reminds you to do you know what knock on wood when you are coming in to land.  Never had a problem with that one either.  Setting the pressure enables the other two to work properly.  There are many more alerts and some readouts on the button, use whatever you like.  They can be silenced with a toggle switch if the "nag" gets to be a bit too much.

 

Being the only pilot in the cockpit almost all the time, I find it useful to have the alerts.

 

 

Destination Altitude is my favorite feature too, as well as Decision Altitude.

[mike_elliott]

Thanks for the input. I had never really considered the Aspen upgrade as a GPSS option. Something to think about.

GNS430W KAP 150 and Aspen PDF on a 1999 Bravo. Just a sweet setup. 

[PTK]

I researched the GPSS question as I have the KFC150. I haven't decided because I'm still contemplating the G500 route. Waiting for Garmin to roll out their new and improved G500.

The best is the GDC31 from DAC and stay away from Icarus. This advice I've been given by autopilot shops! I can't imagine there would be a huge difference but apparently they like the GDC better.

I'd suggest you speak to autopilot shops and get their advice. Not general avionics shops but specialized autopilot shops such as Autopilot Central. They know autopilots.

[flyboy0681]

The best is the GDC31 from DAC and stay away from Icarus. 

 

Them is fight'n words. My Icarus hasn't' given me one moment worth of trouble and it flies me through holds and approaches like nothing you've ever seen. And it's warnings may have even saved my hide once or twice   

[PTK]

Them is fight'n words. My Icarus hasn't' given me one moment worth of trouble and it flies me through holds and approaches like nothing you've ever seen. And it's warnings may have even saved my hide once or twice   

Don't shoot the messenger...he shoots back!

Just relaying what I was told.

[Alan Fox]

The Icarus is programmable for input , IE it will work with any heading system , the GDC is not , If you are buying new it is not an Issue....If you buy a used Icarus it will work with ANYTHING , The GDC may not depending on your heading system.... I don't know if the GDC can be sent back and reprogrammed....as far as features the Icarus is light years ahead of the GDC ,

[Marauder]

Them is fight'n words. My Icarus hasn't' given me one moment worth of trouble and it flies me through holds and approaches like nothing you've ever seen. And it's warnings may have even saved my hide once or twice

Ask Peter Garmin what he thinks of Aspens...

[BobAustin]

GDC with my 430W and kfc-150...works perfectly as suggested by and installed by Flying Machine Co in Fredricksburg TX.

[PTK]

The Icarus is programmable for input , IE it will work with any heading system , the GDC is not ...

 

In the interest of accuracy this is simply not true. 

 

On the contrary, the GDC 31 is a state of the art and affordable GPSS roll steering converter solution. It works with any autopilot and any HSI or DG.  It is field programmable via jumper if needed for rate based autopilots. The jumpers set the scaling. 

 

The Icarus costs more for some non-GPSS functions.

Product to product and installation costs will be a lot less for the GDC than for the Icarus.

[thinwing]

Kfc 225 / gad43/g500......has been flawless since day 1

[Tony Armour]

Same question here. Avionics guy said use the DAC unit. I inquired about an Aspen thinking I could take a couple grand off the top because of not spending on a DAC but he said I needed some other box to go with the Aspen and that offset the savings. Even though I also have an electric AI he said the HSI would move to being the backup because it's still needed to drive the autopilot. So I still need a vacuum pump, I thought I might get away without vacuum with the Aspen and an electric AI. Anyone familiar with the "other" box to make the Aspen work ?

[Marauder]

Same question here. Avionics guy said use the DAC unit. I inquired about an Aspen thinking I could take a couple grand off the top because of not spending on a DAC but he said I needed some other box to go with the Aspen and that offset the savings. Even though I also have an electric AI he said the HSI would move to being the backup because it's still needed to drive the autopilot. So I still need a vacuum pump, I thought I might get away without vacuum with the Aspen and an electric AI. Anyone familiar with the "other" box to make the Aspen work ?

If you have a King autopilot, you will need the EA 100 from Aspen.

[Tony Armour]

Yep that's it, thanks. Digital to analog adaptor. It negates the savings from going with an Aspen instead of using the DAC box.