Autopilot recomendations

[jezzie]

The 34 year old Century 3 just wasn't worth fixing so I have to consider some options. What I am looking for is some recomendations. I basically want a VFR autopilot that can track GPS/VOR keep the wings level and hold altitude. My shop is selling me on the S-TEC 55X which I must admit is very nice, just not sure I want to spend that much money and I'm not IFR yet.

Does any one have recomendations, which one gives the best bang for the buck?

Eldon

[jetdriven]

S-Tec 30 is a rumored to be good.  ou can get it 1-axis or 2. I have the 30ALT which is the altitude hold only and it works great.

[MATTS875]

Eldon, I had a stec 30alt also in my last plane and really liked it. I have a friend that put a stec 55x in his comanche 250 and it is great but would have been overkill for me. Heck the plane before my last was an Archer and had wing leveler and heading bug tracking and I thought that was great so the stec 30alt was like having a chauffeur.

[aerobat95]

I would go with the STEC 30ALT with GPSS.  I have heard really great things about it.

[flight2000]

I just had the STEC-30 w/alt hold and GPSS installed this past summer and would recommend it.  It was fairly painless to install and did not require surgery on the radio stack to get the unit to fit.  Any of the other A/Ps (except the STEC-20) would have required a bigger area in the panel instead of the direct placement in the T/C location.  A simple modification to the yoke and the controls were intalled.  Big improvement over the PC/B4 system that I had before.

I didn't want to add auto-trim feature (more $$$), so the biggest drawback is the lack of vertical commands on approaches, which means you'll have to fly it down the glideslope by hand.  I've learned the power settings and how many turns on the trim wheel it takes to set-up a controlled descent at whatever rate is required for the approach so it's not a big deal. 

There are some that feel the GPSS function is overkill, but it's one less thing that I need to worry about enroute (i.e. constantly changing the heading bug).  I program the route into my 430W and it'll follow the plan from start to finish (to include the approach if so desired).  If you don't have a GPS installed, the GPSS module is obviously not required, but the STEC-30 will still track VOR's, ADF, etc. for you.

I'd also recommend you get the IR as soon a practical as it will greatly increase your capabilitites, but you probably knew that already...

Brian

**If I had the additional money available (~$12K), I would have gone with the 55X, but I'm extremely happy with what I had installed.

edit: just saw the other thread about your panel upgrade project.  With all of the new stuff you're adding, I'd just make it a little more and install the 55X.  It's only money, right...

[jetdriven]

The only snag I can think of it that Eldon is going with the G500, which has to have a standby attitude, and airspeed.  The S-TEC 30, being a rate based autopilot, is going to need the turn coordinator, and thus, another hole in the panel, another instrument, etc.

[flight2000]

I agree.  I missed the other thread he had showing the huge project he was undertaking until after I posted.

Brian

[John Pleisse]

Eldon...I must say, the refurb (G500 too) you have done and just watching your dedication to both airmanship and your aircraft....seems to me it desrves the 55X. I upgraded from the System 30 which is also an option. Byron metioned you would loose panel space for a TC to either install, however, S-tec offers a remote turn coordinator for the 55X. It's a lot more money, but with all you have done........ I'm just sayin'....

When I bought the Stec 30, the avionics guy tried to sell me on the 55X. I was broke and would not budge. He said repeatedly, John, the Mooney 201 is a really capable airplane and deserves a really good autopilot. You win either way, because there is a reasonable upgrade path with S-tec (same servos, alt can, etc.). Auto trim on the 55X is the big ticket item and a must.

[danb35]

Doesn't Avidyne have a new AP out that will use STEC servos?  That might be an option, and might be able to avoid needing a TC in the panel for it...

[John Pleisse]

Quote: danb35

Doesn't Avidyne have a new AP out that will use STEC servos?  That might be an option, and might be able to avoid needing a TC in the panel for it...

[KSMooniac]

I'm a happy STEC-30 w/GPSS user.  I don't mind having to manage the vertical changes manually as it reduces cost and especially complexity...fair trade IMO.  I don't have electric trim either.  That combo with a WAAS GPS is incredible for single-pilot IFR ops.

[thinwing]

With the amount expense and effort on this bird...go with the most capable autopilot even if you are not IFR rated now...because you will be at some future point..kpc

[Magnum]

If you want the best bang for the buck, I'd suggest a Century 2000. Maybe you can use some of your old servos, so the installation will be much cheaper than putting in a Stec. It has Altitude hold, autotrim, and flies down a ILS. But it doesn't have an Altitude Preselector or VS Selector.

[Ron McBride]

I'm a happy STEC-30 w/GPSS user.  I don't mind having to manage the vertical changes manually as it reduces cost and especially complexity...fair trade IMO.  I don't have electric trim either.  That combo with a WAAS GPS is incredible for single-pilot IFR ops.

I agree with this completely. I have the ability to follow a heading indicator also, gives me more choices. This works great for me.

Ron

[Ned Gravel]

Eldon:

Looking good!!

As for A/P, I had an STEC-50 in mine when I bought it.  It is much like the STEC-30 but with altitude hold already installed.  Works for me.  What I do not have is glideslope following, but I think that is because of the lack of a flight director to replace the AI I have in the panel now.  It will certainly track a localiser and a back course approach.

I would rather do the thinking and planning on the altitude myself anyway, so once at desired altitude, it will hold it.

How much work you want to do, versus how much work you want it do to (as well as cost) will largely decide which one to go with.  As has been stated already, you may have issues with the fact that your PFD is the G600 and it may have specific A/P requirements.

Otherwise, these are great devices for SPIFR.