King KFC225 Autopilot Roll Steering Issue

[thinwing]

Ok I will wayin...my bravo ,serial 0310 prabably built along side 0307 but was not sold or equipped till feb 2001.When I upgraded my factory installed 530/430 units to wass and installed Garmin 600 ,shop knew the 530/430 were not wired right...So I have had the advantage of full turn anticipation all along.I also found a pretty savy young ex airforce instructor to guide me through the glass.As far as the auto pilot..it has worked flawlessly,greatly reducing workload on approaches...it use flying sids and stars in southern calif has made single pilot ifr actually pleasurable.I did replace roll servo that was failing on my first flight home but that was 3 years ago and no further issues...I understand that Honeywell has recommenced 225 production...I think thats a good thing as it is an amazing unit..k

[jlunseth]

I don't have the 225 in my plane (a 231) but have the KFC 200 with an Icarus GPSS roll steering unit and 430AW.  I have been flying SIDS for a couple of years.  The very first one I had a moment of confusion.  The SIDS in my area are intended for aircraft out of KMSP.  There are SIDS for the relievers, but they all require a vector onto the SID or at least a "direct to" a waypoint in the SID, and I was not sure at first how to do that, but the direct button to the waypoint worked fine, so have been flying them for about three years, really easy.  I rarely get STARs though, almost all the STARs I see are for turboprop or turbojet.  They put me on one last fall for a little bit until they figured out I was a turbocharged piston, and that was the end of that.  The set up is even better for approaches though, it will fly everything including holds.  I have to go out and fly practices by hand just to keep my "hand in."

[thinwing]

Boy that is the truth...without constant practice handflying one could really see their basic instument skills deteriorate..were i really appreciate the 225 is on long 3 hour flights...I find handflying that long just too much work