Porta pilot

[Joshua Blackh4t]

Has anyone had any experience with the porta pilot? Www.portapilot.com

I think it could be modified to fit on a vintage mooney and very affordable option. 

I emailed them about it but haven't heard back. 

Tempted to buy on and play with it. Use the screws for the clock to mount the front bracket, and the rear can be clamped to the dash. Should work?

Can't hurt anyway

 

[toto]

We had a thread on here a while back, but I haven’t heard of anyone using one in a Mooney yet..

 

https://mooneyspace.com/topic/35327-portable-auto-pilot/

 

[Joshua Blackh4t]

5 minutes ago, toto said:

We had a thread on here a while back, but I haven’t heard of anyone using one in a Mooney yet..

 

https://mooneyspace.com/topic/35327-portable-auto-pilot/

 

Thanks,

If no one has done it yet, someone just needs to start it. Once the mods are done it could be a 3k option. Just looks clunky.

 

[LANCECASPER]

17 hours ago, Joshua Blackh4t said:

Has anyone had any experience with the porta pilot? Www.portapilot.com

None that I know of, but some have experience with a Porta Potti

 

 

I agree though that a portable auto-pilot is a clever device for a long vfr cross country. They could have put a little more thought into the name though . . Lol

This does prove that a low cost autopilot (Trio, AeroCruze 100 (formerly TruTrak)),  if it was ever approved for the Mooneys and could be installed by any A&P/IA would be a huge seller. 

[Joshua Blackh4t]

Now, before you throw the porta-pilot into the portaloo, I have this info from them:

 

Thank you for your interest!

At the moment our focus is on the Cessna 172 models. We are actively working on expanding our lineup to include older Cessna 172's, as well as Cessna 150/152's. We then plan to explore other aircraft, and a more universal version.

Modifying is not really a practical option for a handful of reasons, even with access to a machining center.  There is complex geometry, and very little material left in certain places.  Further, the geometry must be pretty accurate for the linkage to work; the mounting heights relative to the center of rotation cannot be changed without even more extensive changes.  That being said, this should all be feasible with a more universal version of our product that we are planning.

Please stay tuned to our social media, newsletter, or website for updates.

 

Sounds promising.

My other thought is: can we do a simple hack to the Brittain servos? Modify the p.c. leveler for an electric servo and voila, it all works?

Yes, I know its not legal. But would be so easy.

[aviatoreb]

porta-pilot is an unfortunate product name.

[aviatoreb]

[EricJ]

21 hours ago, aviatoreb said:

That was Otto Pilot.  Played by himself according to the credits.
 

 

[aviatoreb]

4 minutes ago, EricJ said:

That was Otto Pilot.  Played by himself according to the credits.
 

 

I did not know that!  Thanks!

e

[Yetti]

On 3/31/2022 at 7:20 PM, Joshua Blackh4t said:

Now, before you throw the porta-pilot into the portaloo, I have this info from them:

 

Thank you for your interest!

At the moment our focus is on the Cessna 172 models. We are actively working on expanding our lineup to include older Cessna 172's, as well as Cessna 150/152's. We then plan to explore other aircraft, and a more universal version.

Modifying is not really a practical option for a handful of reasons, even with access to a machining center.  There is complex geometry, and very little material left in certain places.  Further, the geometry must be pretty accurate for the linkage to work; the mounting heights relative to the center of rotation cannot be changed without even more extensive changes.  That being said, this should all be feasible with a more universal version of our product that we are planning.

Please stay tuned to our social media, newsletter, or website for updates.

 

Sounds promising.

My other thought is: can we do a simple hack to the Brittain servos? Modify the p.c. leveler for an electric servo and voila, it all works?

Yes, I know its not legal. But would be so easy.

So tempting.   Both the D10A and the Skyview have the AP software in them.   So tempted to replace the Brittian servos with electric servos and hook it up.   The problem is the FAA.  After the Boeing fiasco the are requiring all sorts of stuff to approve APs

[Joshua Blackh4t]

2 hours ago, Yetti said:

So tempting.   Both the D10A and the Skyview have the AP software in them.   So tempted to replace the Brittian servos with electric servos and hook it up.   The problem is the FAA.  After the Boeing fiasco the are requiring all sorts of stuff to approve APs

I wouldn't go as far as replacing the the servos, that could create potential issues of servos installed in a non approved way on a control surface, BUT if we kept the Brittain bellows servos, then we aren't modifying the anything serious. Theoretically all you need to do is connect an electric servo where the Brittain gyro wheel is and the electric controls the vacuum and no problems. It would only get a single axis AP though.