Dynon AP Might Just Happen...

[PT20J]

1 hour ago, Will.iam said:

Well here is to another year for the AP approval wait. 
just spit balling here, but couldn’t i get the dynon system and just move my hsi and vacuum ADI to the co-pilot side to keep using my KFC-150 autopilot? I know changing heading would require me to reach over to change the heading bug but small sacrifice to keep a working autopilot. The benefit would be once the AP was approved I’m only down for that and not the whole system (which once this AP is approved i think will backlog alot of avionics shops for some time) and i would know the system was already working before the ap add in. Also i could benefit from the better situational awareness including AOA better comm panel function now as well as better engine monitoring graphically as i have only a jpi-711 now and do not have MP, oil, rpm recording like i would with the dynon. 
what is the problem or pitfalls with going this way that i don’t know about?

My airplane originally had a KAP 150. The previous owner had installed an Aspen without the autopilot interface to replace the attitude indicator so I still had the KG 258 in the panel. The Aspen HSI would interface to the autopilot and included GPSS, so the KI 525 and gyro were removed. It worked fine. Will the Dynon also work that way? Also, will the Dynon PFD display the KFC flight director? If not, you'd be giving up using the flight director.

[dominikos]

3 hours ago, Will.iam said:

Well here is to another year for the AP approval wait. 
just spit balling here, but couldn’t i get the dynon system and just move my hsi and vacuum ADI to the co-pilot side to keep using my KFC-150 autopilot? I know changing heading would require me to reach over to change the heading bug but small sacrifice to keep a working autopilot. The benefit would be once the AP was approved I’m only down for that and not the whole system (which once this AP is approved i think will backlog alot of avionics shops for some time) and i would know the system was already working before the ap add in. Also i could benefit from the better situational awareness including AOA better comm panel function now as well as better engine monitoring graphically as i have only a jpi-711 now and do not have MP, oil, rpm recording like i would with the dynon. 
what is the problem or pitfalls with going this way that i don’t know about?

@Will.iam, that’s what I end up doing. I have Dynon HDX, pre-wired for AP and 2nd screen. Moved my Century IIB to where the placeholder is for the 2nd screen, kept vacuum pump, HSI and AI. Century only follows the heading bug. But with HITS, it is very easy to micro correct AP heading when it drifts. 

here is a picture of my setup. 

[EricJ]

1 hour ago, dominikos said:

@Will.iam, that’s what I end up doing. I have Dynon HDX, pre-wired for AP and 2nd screen. Moved my Century IIB to where the placeholder is for the 2nd screen, kept vacuum pump, HSI and AI. Century only follows the heading bug. But with HITS, it is very easy to micro correct AP heading when it drifts. 

here is a picture of my setup. 

That was some good planning there.   I like how you did that.

[BlueSky247]

@dominikos How often are you having to correct altitude with that setup? I noticed you have electric trim, which I'm sure helps. I'm looking at a J with the same AP as yours and wondering how that is to live with. 

[dominikos]

5 hours ago, BlueSky247 said:

@dominikos How often are you having to correct altitude with that setup? I noticed you have electric trim, which I'm sure helps. I'm looking at a J with the same AP as yours and wondering how that is to live with. 

Century only keeps wings leveled and follows the heading bug. But Mooney is very easy to trim. Once trimmed it pretty much stays that way. 
The HSI drifts, depends on the day. But HITS makes it very easy to make adjustments.

one thing I would point out. It is very easy to overpower Century. so, in turbulent air, I hand fly the plane. It means that in IMC you are busy, especially if you need to setup a STAR or brief approach. 

[Will.iam]

13 hours ago, dominikos said:

@Will.iam, that’s what I end up doing. I have Dynon HDX, pre-wired for AP and 2nd screen. Moved my Century IIB to where the placeholder is for the 2nd screen, kept vacuum pump, HSI and AI. Century only follows the heading bug. But with HITS, it is very easy to micro correct AP heading when it drifts. 

here is a picture of my setup. 

That is awesome! If you don’t mind me asking,

Who did you get to install your setup?

How long did they take?

What was the lead time?

Also on closer inspection, i see you went with the PS engineering for your comm selection over the dynon option, could you explain why you went that route?

Thanks. 
Will.i.am

[LANCECASPER]

3 hours ago, Will.iam said:

That is awesome! If you don’t mind me asking,

Who did you get to install your setup?

How long did they take?

What was the lead time?

Also on closer inspection, i see you went with the PS engineering for your comm selection over the dynon option, could you explain why you went that route?

Thanks. 
Will.i.am

Jesse Saint's logo is on his panel. He is the Dynon guru for certified airplanes. https://saintaviation.com/

[BlueSky247]

@Will.iam I'm actually already talking to Saint to get a ballpark quote for planning purposes. He stated he is running about three months out on new work. I imagine the job duration will vary significantly depending on the complexity/build list. But, I would expect any significant amount of work is going to be at least 2-3 weeks in duration.

[dominikos]

I think it was roughly 3-4 weeks for me. The lead times were longer. Two things about Jesse:

- he will give you upfront estimates and won’t move them - very helpful for budgeting

- he will work with you on optimal setup for your needs

[dominikos]

18 hours ago, Will.iam said:

That is awesome! If you don’t mind me asking,

Who did you get to install your setup?

How long did they take?

What was the lead time?

Also on closer inspection, i see you went with the PS engineering for your comm selection over the dynon option, could you explain why you went that route?

Thanks. 
Will.i.am

I liked idea of having a proper audio panel and bluetooth sound streaming. And I was planning for two navigators. I didn’t think Dynon radio would work well for me. If I only had one GNS, I would probably go with Dynon radio.

[Will.iam]

36 minutes ago, dominikos said:

I liked idea of having a proper audio panel and bluetooth sound streaming. And I was planning for two navigators. I didn’t think Dynon radio would work well for me. If I only had one GNS, I would probably go with Dynon radio.

Ah so are you saying dynon audio panel wouldn’t work or that dynon radio wouldn’t work? I was thinking of tying in my kx-165 to the comm panel but i could just go with the dynon radios for more panel space if i ditched the kx-165. 

[dominikos]

10 hours ago, Will.iam said:

Ah so are you saying dynon audio panel wouldn’t work or that dynon radio wouldn’t work? I was thinking of tying in my kx-165 to the comm panel but i could just go with the dynon radios for more panel space if i ditched the kx-165. 

Dynon comm panel is only two seats so it didn’t work. Radio does not have navigation 

PS has beacon marker indicator.

One thing that I have that is not visible in the panel, there is FlightStream 210 which gives Foreflight integration.

[Kirch56H]

Well it is finally official.... the long wait is over!

It looks like Dynon got FAA approval of the autopilot for the J/K models a few days ago (10/7/2024). Their website has been updated to show this new information as well. I cant wait to see how this goes for folks who install Dynon.  I am currently planning a panel upgrade and this would work well with my Avidyne IFD's too. 

[231MJ]

I had faith and while I was getting a little anxious lately, I'm now very glad I went Dynon.  The day it was approved I got a personal call from Dynon with the news.  And it's 3-axis! I kept the Century II electric trim when the rest of the Century electronics were removed for the Dynon install so that will integrate well with the Dynon system.  I feel bad for the short-body owners but perhaps now that the mid-body is approved, the short-body will come faster.