Aerocruze 230 Autopilot install

[Lake Aero]

Here are the pictures of Aerocruze 230 or KFC 230 Autopilot I installed in M20K. It was quite challenging install it especially the configurations but overall, I wasn't too bad.

Most of the wiring from the KFC 150 could be used for this install. Hint, if you have KFC 150 servos in working condition doesn't mean it will pass the Preflight test on KFC 230. There is a procedure to pass the Preflight test(PFT). 

If you have any questions regarding this Autopilot or the install, let me know. 

[carusoam]

Lake,

Any chance of getting some inflight video of it operating?

Doing an IR procedure would be a great way of demonstrating some of its skill...

My hope for BK equipment has been fading a lot...

I have the all BK panel from the 90s... it needs some upgrades....

Best regards,

-a-

[Lake Aero]

Yes, I can send you an operational video but the file is large. Please message me.

[carusoam]

3 minutes ago, Lake Aero said:

Yes, I can send you an operational video but the file is large. Please message me.

Good news...

When this occurs, MSers have had success using YouTube...

Post the video in YouTube, copy the link, and post the link here...

The YT back office handles the hard part... we just click and enjoy...

Not sure if my email can handle large files either...

Best regards,

-a-

[aviatoreb]

50 minutes ago, Lake Aero said:

Here are the pictures of Aerocruze 230 or KFC 230 Autopilot I installed in M20K. It was quite challenging install it especially the configurations but overall, I wasn't too bad.

Most of the wiring from the KFC 150 could be used for this install. Hint, if you have KFC 150 servos in working condition doesn't mean it will pass the Preflight test on KFC 230. There is a procedure to pass the Preflight test(PFT). 

If you have any questions regarding this Autopilot or the install, let me know. 

How many hours was the install?

[PT20J]

I might buy one of those, but the STC only approves it for replacing a KFC 150 and I have a KAP 150. It's silly that they did that as there are a lot of Mooneys with the KAP and the only difference is the flight director. Every time I have asked a BK rep about plans to extend to the KAP 150 (I have asked several) they promise to check into it and get back to me and I never hear from them again.

Skip

[carusoam]

For the record...

My AP is also a KAP150...

-a-

[gsxrpilot]

If the AeroCruz 230 will talk with my Aspen and allow me to set Altitude for pre-select on the Aspen, then I'm ready to install.

[kortopates]

3 hours ago, gsxrpilot said:

If the AeroCruz 230 will talk with my Aspen and allow me to set Altitude for pre-select on the Aspen, then I'm ready to install.

The AeroCruz 230 replaces the KFC-150 computer theoretically the same way the Avidyne IFDs replaces the GNS GPS - at least for starts. They were working on direct digital interface integrations to some systems including my G500, so perhaps Aspen as well, but you'd have to check on status. But as you well know, even the Aspen AP interface adapter never had more than the basic capabilities.

I lost interest for the moment when their engineering folks told me that they have no plans whatsoever to design and manufacture a new modern servo replacements. In fact, if you want to add the yaw dampener you have to scavenge for all the old used parts.  I just can't get excited about a new 230 computer that will for always be dependent on the old servo's with very limited parts availability. After all, all my past AP issues have for the most part been servo issues, never computer issues. I presume they can make good on their warranty of old servo's for the immediate future but I don't see how they can possibly do so post warranty period - at least not affordably.

Edited November 9, 2020 by kortopates

[gsxrpilot]

1 hour ago, kortopates said:

The AeroCruz 230 replaces the KFC-150 computer theoretically the same way the Avidyne IFDs replaces the GNS GPS - at least for starts. They were working on direct digital interface integrations to some systems including my G500, so perhaps Aspen as well, but you'd have to check on status. But as you well know, even the Aspen AP interface adapter never had more than the basic capabilities.

Yeah, when I talked to a couple of technical guys at the BK booth at the last Oshkosh, they said there would definitely be a direct digital interface to the Aspen. It would eliminate the need for the EA100 and include additional functionality such as altitude pre-select and rate of climb settings on the Aspen and read by the 230. Unfortunately none of that has happened yet... and might not ever.

[Baker Avionics]

20 hours ago, PT20J said:

I might buy one of those, but the STC only approves it for replacing a KFC 150 and I have a KAP 150. It's silly that they did that as there are a lot of Mooneys with the KAP and the only difference is the flight director. Every time I have asked a BK rep about plans to extend to the KAP 150 (I have asked several) they promise to check into it and get back to me and I never hear from them again.

Skip

Skip, there is something pretty big on the horizon that is going to affect the Mooney market here pretty soon as it pertains to AP's.  Just be patient.  It is supposed to happen within 202 so time is short now.  It is pretty big.  I let Anthony know about it already but I am in no way going to put it out to the entire public yet.  It is going to answer a lot of prayers I believe. 

[Baker Avionics]

On 11/7/2020 at 5:24 PM, Lake Aero said:

Here are the pictures of Aerocruze 230 or KFC 230 Autopilot I installed in M20K. It was quite challenging install it especially the configurations but overall, I wasn't too bad.

Most of the wiring from the KFC 150 could be used for this install. Hint, if you have KFC 150 servos in working condition doesn't mean it will pass the Preflight test on KFC 230. There is a procedure to pass the Preflight test(PFT). 

If you have any questions regarding this Autopilot or the install, let me know. 

Looks great Yash ("Avionics Lead")!  Keep up the great work!  

[StevenL757]

21 minutes ago, Baker Avionics said:

It is supposed to happen within 202 so time is short now. 

Do you mean “2021”?  If so, “within 2021” is a pretty large, vague window for whatever may be on the horizon...so to speak.

[PT20J]

I like my Aspen, but I've lost some confidence in the product due to its MAX issues, the AD that delayed my ADS-B unlock and an ACU failure. I’m also concerned about the company’s long-term viability since its sale. 

Honeywell has certainly not earned my confidence. I’m strongly considering ripping out the Aspen and the KAP 150 and replacing them with a G3X and GFC 500. 

Skip

[ZuluZulu]

4 hours ago, PT20J said:

I like my Aspen, but I've lost some confidence in the product due to its MAX issues, the AD that delayed my ADS-B unlock and an ACU failure. I’m also concerned about the company’s long-term viability since its sale. 

Honeywell has certainly not earned my confidence. I’m strongly considering ripping out the Aspen and the KAP 150 and replacing them with a G3X and GFC 500. 

Skip

I don't have the G3X (yet) but the GFC 500 has been great so far.

[CharlesHuddleston]

What would you estimate on cost/install time? According to their web site, cost starts at $9800 and they are estimating 1 week of install time. 
I believe I remember seeing average install costs for the GFC-500 in the $15k range, but that includes new digital servos. 
 

just looking at the economics of it all. 

[bob865]

14 hours ago, StevenL757 said:

Do you mean “2021”?  If so, “within 2021” is a pretty large, vague window for whatever may be on the horizon...so to speak.

The way autopilot approvals seem to go, he probably meant 202x so he has a 10 year window and can still be correct.

[StevenL757]

I tend to agree.

[tmo]

12 hours ago, PT20J said:

Honeywell has certainly not earned my confidence. I’m strongly considering ripping out the Aspen and the KAP 150 and replacing them with a G3X and GFC 500. 

Agree on Honeywell, but why not consider Dynon? I hope the big news is from them, and it is in 2020...

[PT20J]

On 11/10/2020 at 8:38 AM, tmo said:

Agree on Honeywell, but why not consider Dynon? I hope the big news is from them, and it is in 2020...

 Maybe. Dynon’s currently advertising first half 2021 for M20 autopilot approval. That means it might be available in 2022. I sure would want it to be out in the field with a bunch of installations to get all the bugs worked out before I installed it. 

Skip

[LANCECASPER]

1 hour ago, PT20J said:

 Maybe. Dynon’s currently advertising first half 2021 for M20 autopilot approval. That means it might be available in 2022. I sure would want it to be out in the field with a bunch of installations to get all the bugs worked out before I installed it. 

Skip

Thankfully it's already in Cessna 172s and some Beechcrafts and Mooney won't be the first airframe. https://www.dynoncertified.com/aml.php

[rbridges]

On 11/9/2020 at 10:43 PM, PT20J said:

I like my Aspen, but I've lost some confidence in the product due to its MAX issues, the AD that delayed my ADS-B unlock and an ACU failure. I’m also concerned about the company’s long-term viability since its sale. 

Honeywell has certainly not earned my confidence. I’m strongly considering ripping out the Aspen and the KAP 150 and replacing them with a G3X and GFC 500. 

Skip

knock on wood x10, but mine has been solid since the firmware upgrade.  I hope I didn't jinx myself.  

[Lake Aero]

On 11/7/2020 at 6:15 PM, aviatoreb said:

How many hours was the install?

It took me little over 25hrs for the first install.

[Lake Aero]

On 11/10/2020 at 6:44 AM, CharlesHuddleston said:

What would you estimate on cost/install time? According to their web site, cost starts at $9800 and they are estimating 1 week of install time. 
I believe I remember seeing average install costs for the GFC-500 in the $15k range, but that includes new digital servos. 
 

just looking at the economics of it all. 

Yes, that's price they offer. All I can say is for sure it reduces the labor time since we are not replacing the mechanical components (if they are working just fine)

[Baker Avionics]

On 11/9/2020 at 4:47 PM, StevenL757 said:

Do you mean “2021”?  If so, “within 2021” is a pretty large, vague window for whatever may be on the horizon...so to speak.

I do NOT mean 2021.