M20C Autopilot Options?

[Urs_Wildermuth]

Folks,

 

I am working on installing an Aspen and an autopilot on my M20C (EASA registered). Question to you "c" owners out there:

 

- What AP system do you have installed?

- How happy are you with it?

- European (EASA reg) users, did you install under EASA STC or grandfather rights? In both cases, I'd like to talk to you.

 

I am thinking along the lines of an S-TEC 30 or, if budged allows, an S-TEC 60-2 with FD. Somehow it doesn't make sense to install an AP without FD if you have an Aspen, but maybe budget will limit my choices.

 

Many thanks

 

Urs Wildermuth

[John Pleisse]

I think Aspen has upgrades forthcoming to address Stec FD options and Alt preselect requiring fewer external Stec boxes to drive these systems....you should check with them. I also owned an Stec 30 for 3 years. It's remarkabley simple and reliable. One must be watchful and constantly monitor altitude hold trim annunciators. You have no interest in a 55X?

[AlexR]

I have an STEC-30 with GPSS roll steering in my C model and love it.  Simple, reliable and effective.

[Hank]

My dual Brittains [Accu-Trak and Flite-Trak] work great. One is hooked up to the DG, one is interfaced to the 430W. Keep the red and green tubes in good shape, keep the servos well taped, and they are just fine. Much, much less expensive than Stec-anything, even if you get the altitude upgrade that I don't have. There IS a waiting list at Brittain right now, though. Should be much less paperwork for approval, too, since some of our planes had the Brittain(s) installed at the factory.

[Urs_Wildermuth]

N4532H, yes I would be very interested in a 55x as it has the FD function. The 30 is basically what everyone keeps telling me is the cheapest and best solution for the C, but I used to fly planes with KFC 200 not to speak of the big Sperry stuff some others had, and a nice FD is great to have.

Hank, I am on the list with Brittain for some time now but have not heard back from them. I do have the original wing levler installed, I would be very interested in the altitude hold option. However, I am not sure if it's possible to legally couple them to the HDG interface of the Aspen and without that, it would be fairly pointless.

Best regards

Urs

[rob]

I have an aspen and an S-TEC30. Love the combination. I don't really feel that it's necessary to constantly watch the altitude trim indicators for two reasons: 1. There is an audible beep when there is a condition that requires trim, and 2. I trim the plane before engaging the altitude hold and it rarely needs significant adjustment.

I'm sure a 55X or 60 would be great, but the 30 is really all I need. It was installed in the plane when I purchased.

[John Pleisse]

 

[N601RX]

Quote: Hank

My dual Brittains [Accu-Trak and Flite-Trak] work great. One is hooked up to the DG, one is interfaced to the 430W. Keep the red and green tubes in good shape, keep the servos well taped, and they are just fine. Much, much less expensive than Stec-anything, even if you get the altitude upgrade that I don't have. There IS a waiting list at Brittain right now, though. Should be much less paperwork for approval, too, since some of our planes had the Brittain(s) installed at the factory.

[Urs_Wildermuth]

Quote: N4352H

 Hey Urs...

If you buy a 55X, the FD is a $3200 add-on option and an additional box and annunciator in your panel. If you wait until Aspen addresses this soon as a software update, it would cost considerably less and have fewer Stec parts in your panel. Check with Aspen.

If you you end up not doing a coupled-approach type AP...the Stec 30 is the best value anywhere...it really is. Also, the roll servos and altitiude can may be used as a scalable upgrade to the 55X later, if you wish. Understanding trim in the Stec 30 is critical to safety.

[Urs_Wildermuth]

Mike,

I'd go for the Brittain parts any time but I am concerned that the European authorities are not going to let me connect them to the Aspen. Europe does not reckognize American STC's unless you can prove that someone has done the identical install prior to EASA's taking over the full authority a few years back, or you have to pay the STC out of your pocket. I am still checking back and forth which STC's are grandfathered that way but since the Aspen is relatively new, I don't think anyone installed it and hooked it to the Brittain stuff ever, let alone in Europe.

[N601RX]

Quote: Urs_Wildermuth

Mike,

I'd go for the Brittain parts any time but I am concerned that the European authorities are not going to let me connect them to the Aspen. Europe does not reckognize American STC's unless you can prove that someone has done the identical install prior to EASA's taking over the full authority a few years back, or you have to pay the STC out of your pocket. I am still checking back and forth which STC's are grandfathered that way but since the Aspen is relatively new, I don't think anyone installed it and hooked it to the Brittain stuff ever, let alone in Europe.

[Magnum]

Who will make the installation? I can recommend Avionik Straubing, IMHO the best avionics shop in Europe. Maybe they can help you with the certification of the Brittain.

[DaV8or]

Quote: Urs_Wildermuth

So what is the thing about understanding the trim for the 30? I gather it requires the airplane to be trimmed when you engage it and to monitor the trim lights and act accordingly? That is what I took from the manual, anything else you can share? I really would like to know about this.

[Urs_Wildermuth]

Hi Magnus,

I am based in ZRH and I have usually Avionitec doing it here, but I will ask for an offer of Avionic Straubing too.As they are the STC holder for the Mooney and Aspen, it might be wise to talk to them.

 

[jetdriven]

Quote: DaV8or

I'd like to know too. I have an Stec 30, but I'm new to it. I've used it a fair amount and it seems pretty simple and straight forward. If the plane is out of trim, the little blue lights tell you to trim up or down and there is a audible tone in the headset to alert you when it needs doing. If there is a safety issue, I'd really like to know before I go in the clouds with it.