TruTrak Autopilot Pre Order's / Status Update

[steingar]

Thing about the older short bodies is there are a lot of them, and and lot of them fly IFR.  If you live where there's weather and want to travel it certainly helps.  Anyone routinely flying IFR is going to want an autopilot, and the wing levelers that came with these things are very old in the tooth.

Personally, I think the first one to get an autopilot certificated for the older Mooneys is going to sell lots of them. 

[Sandman993]

1 hour ago, tmo said:

That's why I'm voting on what I hope will happen in two weeks, not what was promised to happen 2 years ago.

Ok, then what if any extra avionics do you need to install to make the autopilot functional. A quick look at the dynon site doesn’t offer that info. The adsb debacle has left me disenchanted where avionics shops are concerned, 6 months wait in line gives me a chapped hind end. Plus once they get anything certified, they don’t make em for spec... so you’ll wait 3 more mos after you commit. Practically use up an annual by the time you get all that done.

I am used to and like my steam gauges... the gtn 750 and 345 adsb will suffice.

again, the garmin autopilot is 25k or more flyaway. Yet they keep pitching it at 7k. They make you buy a bunch of extra stuff because they forgot to add to the unit, the electronics to run it.

[LANCECASPER]

5 hours ago, kpaul said:

Well, the F & G has been completed and the install kits are available.  I flew the F from the Garmin facilities back mid-October.  As @Wessaid the C,D,E 65 and newer is complete, and if the production stays consistent,  the PMAd install kits will be available two weeks after certification. The rest start certification in January, and given my experience working with Garmin as one of the certification platforms, the pre 65s should be complete in June/July.

This was on the Garmin website two days ago. Things may have changed since then.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/604257#additional

[Wes]

Last updated 11/18/20.

[Sandman993]

14 hours ago, carusoam said:

I could always be mistaken...

Unfortunately, Memory isn’t my strong suit... 

-a-

Good deal... so I can remind you about the $100 I loaned you that time.

[rbridges]

18 minutes ago, Sandman993 said:

Good deal... so I can remind you about the $100 I loaned you that time.

you told me it was $1000  (gotta go big or go home )

[Sandman993]

45 minutes ago, rbridges said:

you told me it was $1000  (gotta go big or go home )

Shhhhhhh... I’m working it.

[carusoam]

8 hours ago, Sandman993 said:

Good deal... so I can remind you about the $100 I loaned you that time.

Memory is a funny thing...

I still remember the one MSer with 10:1 compression ratio pistons...   

We should get the $100 hamburger soon! RB will be coming along too...

Best regards,

-a-

[Sandman993]

8 hours ago, carusoam said:

Memory is a funny thing...

I still remember the one MSer with 10:1 compression ratio pistons...   

We should get the $100 hamburger soon! RB will be coming along too...

Best regards,

-a-

You’re in NJ and I’m in Texas... gonna be more than $100 bucks to converge. If you find yourself traveling west someday, give a shout and who knows, I may show up on your six.

I was at Oshkosh 18 and 19... wish I could’ve met some of the guys on here. Every time I went by the tent, they were in the middle of a meeting or a meal. So I kept going. I did share a meal with the bonanza group...once they discovered I was a Mooney driver, it was like humorous disgust. That’s ok, I ate their food like an invading raccoon and took the insults along with some charm. I felt like the poor cousin. One of the guys we were renting the house with invited me to the nanzer group meal. They were all identifiable by their pressed white shirts that had “bonanza” sewn on. Talk about organized. All fine folks...but it’s like going to an el Camino  rally in a ranchero.

anyway, we should endeavor to meet... I would like that.

[Hank]

@Sandman993, come to The Mooney Summit next October in Tampa! You'll meet lots of us, and lots of Mooney pilots who aren't here, and probably several from Texas. And Kalifornia. And likely England. and other fun places. I'll be there, so you'll have the opportunity to meet at least one Mooney pilot from Sweet Home. We often do both small- and large-group lunches and suppers, too--what kind of Fly-In Event doesn't have food?

[carusoam]

I got to visit with the Bonanza group... my host sells used parts to three types of planes... 

1) The tail going the right direction... pretty much all Mooneys...

2) The V-tail

3) and the non-V-tail...

+1 for scheduling... KOSH and Mooney Summit...

Best regards,

-a-

[Baker Avionics]

Well everyone here it is, as promised!

Garmin is pleased to announce it has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) STC for the GFC 500 autopilot in select Mooney M20 C, D, E models (1965 and later) and M20 F and G models, in addition to the Cessna 172RG series aircraft. Parts for both models can be ordered now, with shipping expected to begin by the end of December.

[cliffy]

Just now, Baker Avionics said:

Well everyone here it is, as promised!

Garmin is pleased to announce it has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) STC for the GFC 500 autopilot in select Mooney M20 C, D, E models (1965 and later) and M20 F and G models, in addition to the Cessna 172RG series aircraft. Parts for both models can be ordered now, with shipping expected to begin by the end of December.

For those of us not in the know Can you list the minimum installed equipment required to make the autopilot a working piece of hardware.  Say working off an early generation of GPS for left/right & up/down    (155 TSO GPS)

I presume a new Garmin could be added for additional cost

Maybe an itemized list with even ball park pricing for those with no Big G equipment on board?

[N757DL]

Any word if they are going to work on pre 1965. 

[Lionudakis]

I am curious if anyone has a GFC500 with an Avidyne navigator? I'd like to know what the realworld limitations are not using a G navigator?

[Stanton R]

30 minutes ago, cliffy said:

For those of us not in the know Can you list the minimum installed equipment required to make the autopilot a working piece of hardware.  Say working off an early generation of GPS for left/right & up/down    (155 TSO GPS)

I presume a new Garmin could be added for additional cost

Maybe an itemized list with even ball park pricing for those with no Big G equipment on board?

The minimum required equipment is a G5 AI, Roll and pitch servo, and the controller. This will get you IAS climb, VS climb and decent, Altitude Preselect and GPS Track, Flight Director.

If you add the GMU 11 and G5 HSI you will get heading.

With a older Garmin GPS and GAD 29 you will get GPS navigation.

WIth a Garmin Nav/COM you get VOR/LOC/ILS 

With a GNS430/530W you will add GPS glide slope 

The GTN adds VNAV.

 

[Navi]

1 hour ago, Lionudakis said:

I am curious if anyone has a GFC500 with an Avidyne navigator? I'd like to know what the realworld limitations are not using a G navigator?

 

Lots of GFC 500s flying with the Avidyne Navigators. No issues, and the hard IFR guys like the choice of touch OR Knobs and shallow menus of the Avidynes. 

No limitations.

Nav

Edited December 17, 2020 by Navi

[cliffy]

I guess after rereading things I'm still screwed with a 64 D

[carusoam]

@KLudwick

Got any insight of where on the list of planes getting certified for the GFC500....
 

Where are the B, C, and D Mooneys in the pre-1965 age group..?

Seems like good news... people with the older generation Mooneys are very interested in the GFC500...

Best regards,

-a-

 

[Sandman993]

So, for about $16,000 installed, you can have the “affordable” new autopilot that can do half the stuff. Add another $6k and you can get everything but trim if you already have a gtn gps.
 

gotta hand it to garmin though, they can get their over priced products through the FAA process...unlike some companies.

[Baker Avionics]

22 minutes ago, Sandman993 said:

So, for about $16,000 installed, you can have the “affordable” new autopilot that can do half the stuff. Add another $6k and you can get everything but trim if you already have a gtn gps.
 

gotta hand it to garmin though, they can get their over priced products through the FAA process...unlike some companies.

So I take it you are not interested? So please educate all as to what can't the GFC500 do versus "your AP"?  I am legitimately curious and interested. Thank you in advance.

[Sandman993]

2 minutes ago, Baker Avionics said:

So I take it you are not interested? So please educate all as to what can't the GFC500 do versus "your AP"?  I am legitimately curious and interested. Thank you in advance.

I don’t mean to be a smart ass about it... back when I had the gtn installed, there was the promise of an affordable garmin digital autopilot that was going to cost 5k in the box sitting on the wing... it was going to do everything but powder your Fanny. No mention of the 10k you had to pay for two G5’s to run it or the extras to get trim. At Oshkosh 2019 garmin quoted 31,000-33,000 for a g3x touch with the autopilot and trim. That’s a far cry from 5k plus installation for the original version. 

My old autopilot will have to do... it’ll fly an approach as long as I manage the altitude. I can manage that. I’m fine with actually operating the ship if every time I add a gadget, it means I have to buy the airplane back.

someone once said...”don’t pee on my leg and tell me it’s raining”.

if you make a living installing this stuff, good on you, I don’t mean to rain on your parade. I hope you make a good living. I’m just frustrated about the company breaking the autopilot pilot into several components that costs more than promised.

[Baker Avionics]

54 minutes ago, Sandman993 said:

I don’t mean to be a smart ass about it... back when I had the gtn installed, there was the promise of an affordable garmin digital autopilot that was going to cost 5k in the box sitting on the wing... it was going to do everything but powder your Fanny. No mention of the 10k you had to pay for two G5’s to run it or the extras to get trim. At Oshkosh 2019 garmin quoted 31,000-33,000 for a g3x touch with the autopilot and trim. That’s a far cry from 5k plus installation for the original version. 

My old autopilot will have to do... it’ll fly an approach as long as I manage the altitude. I can manage that. I’m fine with actually operating the ship if every time I add a gadget, it means I have to buy the airplane back.

someone once said...”don’t pee on my leg and tell me it’s raining”.

if you make a living installing this stuff, good on you, I don’t mean to rain on your parade. I hope you make a good living. I’m just frustrated about the company breaking the autopilot pilot into several components that costs more than promised.

I totally understand your position and agree with you more, I couldn't. Things are stupid expensive these days and I don't make much, I own the company, I'm poor. Too many hours, not a big enough paycheck. I am doing what I am good at and started the company to teach my children a trade and give them a future. 

I truly feel for aircraft owners, no kidding. It is a passion and at times a necessity. I enjoy working with owners more than companies. It means a lot to us and we do our best to educate and give as many options as possible. 

Thank you for your comments! They are very well received!

[Baker Avionics]

Just now, nosky2high said:

Here’s what BendixKing said when i asked about the latest release date regarding the Trutrak Mooney STC last week. What are the odds???

”Good news! We have begun the certification process on the Mooney’s and expect to have it ready in Q1 of next year.”

Steve Brown Senior Sales Manager

OEM, US Govt/Military
BendixKing Mobile: 913-217-5063
Stephen.brown3@bendixking.com

www.bendixking.com

 

Great news! My experience has been with BK, especially the AP, has been generally their lead time has been WAY out sorts. Our last 2 BK APs literally took 5 months to receive all of the parts. They ship everything through Aviall, a Boeing company and their logistics have been sub-par at best. 

[cliffy]

6 minutes ago, nosky2high said:

Here’s what BendixKing said when i asked about the latest release date regarding the Trutrak Mooney STC last week. What are the odds???

”Good news! We have begun the certification process on the Mooney’s and expect to have it ready in Q1 of next year.”

Steve Brown Senior Sales Manager

OEM, US Govt/Military
BendixKing Mobile: 913-217-5063
Stephen.brown3@bendixking.com

www.bendixking.com

 

So pardon me for jumping in BUT-

Weren't we told ALL the paperwork was in the hands of the FAA and we were just waiting for THEM to sign it off? That's been the story for well over a year and NOW we hear that BK has just started the certification process last week?

WHAT AM I MISSING HERE?

Some of us have been waiting almost 3 years for this and now AGAIN its just starting the process to certification? 

Pardon me if I don't hold my breath waiting for this one now.