Question about STEC and ASPEN interaction

[Oscar Avalle]

I have a question for the group. I have an ASPEN Pro, a GTN 750 and a STEC 55X autopilot. I would like to use the Flight Director function in my ASPEN, but I am being told that there is a incompatibility that does not allow me to do it. Any suggestions or ideas?

Oscar 

[Bob_Belville]

Marauder uses Aspen FD. He has either a STEC 55 or 60-2 and a GTN650. (I have a STEC50, an Aspen and a GTN750 - no FD.)

[Marauder]

I have a question for the group. I have an ASPEN Pro, a GTN 750 and a STEC 55X autopilot. I would like to use the Flight Director function in my ASPEN, but I am being told that there is a incompatibility that does not allow me to do it. Any suggestions or ideas?

Oscar 

Oscar - I looked up the flight director requirements of a 55X and it will support a single cue. It will work on the Aspen just like it does on my 60-2. You need to purchase the STEC single cue flight director option from STEC. Can't remember the part number. I don't think it is the ST-361. I think that is the whole AI with the single cue. When I get home tonight I will find the number for you.

Show them this picture with my 60-2 and the single cue working!

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[Bob_Belville]

5 minutes ago, Marauder said:

Oscar - I looked up the flight director requirements of a 55X and it will support a single cue. It will work on the Aspen just like it does on my 60-2. You need to purchase the STEC single cue flight director option from STEC. Can't remember the part number. I don't think it is the ST-361. I think that is the whole AI with the single cue. When I get home tonight I will find the number for you.

Show them this picture with my 60-2 and the single cue working!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Not available for the STEC50 though, do I remember that correctly?

[Oscar Avalle]

36 minutes ago, Marauder said:

Oscar - I looked up the flight director requirements of a 55X and it will support a single cue. It will work on the Aspen just like it does on my 60-2. You need to purchase the STEC single cue flight director option from STEC. Can't remember the part number. I don't think it is the ST-361. I think that is the whole AI with the single cue. When I get home tonight I will find the number for you.

Show them this picture with my 60-2 and the single cue working!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thank you, if you find the part number that would be great. 

 

Oscar

[flyer7324]

Call Matt Griggs in tunkhannock pa. He's very knowledgeable.


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[flyer7324]

Griggs Aircraft Refinishing LLC
17 Runway RD
Tunkhannock, PA. 18657


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[Marauder]

2 hours ago, Oscar Avalle said:

I have a question for the group. I have an ASPEN Pro, a GTN 750 and a STEC 55X autopilot. I would like to use the Flight Director function in my ASPEN, but I am being told that there is a incompatibility that does not allow me to do it. Any suggestions or ideas?

Oscar 

Oscar you need an STEC ST-670 to make it work with the Aspen. http://www.chiefaircraft.com/st-st-670.html

[Marauder]

1 hour ago, Bob_Belville said:

Not available for the STEC50 though, do I remember that correctly?

Correct. It won't work on the 40/50 series.

[Bob_Belville]

Just now, Marauder said:

Correct. It won't work on the 40/50 series.

Didn't want it anyway.

[Marauder]

Just now, Bob_Belville said:

Didn't want it anyway.

Sure you do. You wouldn't have asked. I do find it an interesting gizmo to have, especially when flying a missed RNAV approach. 

[Bob_Belville]

Just now, Marauder said:

Sure you do. You wouldn't have asked. I do find it an interesting gizmo to have, especially when flying a missed RNAV approach. 

"Interesting"? As in adds to the confusion?

[Oscar Avalle]

I like the idea of having the FD, what it boils down to is a cost benefit relationship.

[Marauder]

Just now, Bob_Belville said:

"Interesting"? As in adds to the confusion?

No, it actually helps by showing you the direction of flight. Since I don't have a "go around" button, it is probably the closest thing to it. I still need to manage the pitch but once I have the correct pitch attitude, the direction and pitch of flight is provided.

Where it really shines is when you are hand flying the approach. You turn the AP servos off but leave the FD on. You hit the same buttons on the AP as you would to fly a coupled approach and it will give you both pitch and direction. Just keep the chevron under the wings of the FD and you will be on course. I have flown in planes with double cues and I like the way the single cue works more. Whatever it does, you do. The double cue works differently. 

[Marauder]

I will make a video of it sometime. I'm sure the heavy iron guys have their opinions of it. For a small plane, I thought it was a nice gadget, but once you fly one, it adds a different perspective.

[flyer7324]

Speaking of "want to haves" as opposed to "need to haves" I ordered the enablement to allow the 345 to display FIS and TIS-B on the Aspen. There's a 300 dollar discount being offered on the unlock by Aspen currently.


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[Cruiser]

3 hours ago, Oscar Avalle said:

I have a question for the group. I have an ASPEN Pro, a GTN 750 and a STEC 55X autopilot. I would like to use the Flight Director function in my ASPEN, but I am being told that there is a incompatibility that does not allow me to do it. Any suggestions or ideas?

Oscar 

Please post any additional info on this issue. I am looking at the Aspen Evolution 2000 upgrade and plan to add the FD and ALT pre-select for the STEC 55x. 

I know it requires the ACU2, not certain if the FD is included in the package or is separate option.

[Oscar Avalle]

1 hour ago, Cruiser said:

Please post any additional info on this issue. I am looking at the Aspen Evolution 2000 upgrade and plan to add the FD and ALT pre-select for the STEC 55x. 

I know it requires the ACU2, not certain if the FD is included in the package or is separate option.

Will do. I do have the ALT preselect already. It is great. I really like it. I will keep the group up to date.

[Marauder]

Will do. I do have the ALT preselect already. It is great. I really like it. I will keep the group up to date.

Does it also give you the constant airspeed or just the constant rate climb?


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[ArtVandelay]

Will do. I do have the ALT preselect already. It is great. I really like it. I will keep the group up to date.

Did you upgrade from STEC 30,50 by chance? If yes, did they cut you a break on installation or equipment?

[Marauder]

Will do. I do have the ALT preselect already. It is great. I really like it. I will keep the group up to date.

Oscar -- have you consider the new package from Aspen designed for the 55X? It will give you the flight director as part of the package. It also will allow you to control the altitude preselect and vertical speed directly from the Aspen.

http://www.aspenavionics.com/genesys-s-tec-system-55x-autopilot


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[Oscar Avalle]

1 hour ago, teejayevans said:

Did you upgrade from STEC 30,50 by chance? If yes, did they cut you a break on installation or equipment?

No, I actually was able to get a used STEC55X system with ALT and went through the recertification process. 

[Oscar Avalle]

47 minutes ago, Marauder said:

 

Oscar -- have you consider the new package from Aspen designed for the 55X? It will give you the flight director as part of the package. It also will allow you to control the altitude preselect and vertical speed directly from the Aspen.

http://www.aspenavionics.com/genesys-s-tec-system-55x-autopilot


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Thank you! I was not aware of this option! Thank you. It sounds very attractive at US$ 2995. Now would be interesting to know how much labor it involves.

 

[Oscar Avalle]

2 hours ago, Marauder said:

 

Does it also give you the constant airspeed or just the constant rate climb?


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The ALT option for the STEC55X gives you rate of climb, Altitude Alerts and altitude. Not constant airspeed. I like the unit a lot. It works very well. The only issue I have is with the Barometer setting. It has only decimals, so you can go from 30.1 to 30.2, but not to 30.14. 

[Oscar Avalle]

On 2/1/2017 at 7:37 PM, Marauder said:

 

 

I got my plane back on Saturday with the new ASPEN - STEC interface. It works extraordinary well. You can control Altitude and VS from the ASPEN (or from the STEC 55X) and as a bonus you also get the FD. I have to get used to the FD, but it looks like a nice addition. So thanks for the recommendation.

Oscar