Aerocruze Autopilot

[Joshua Blackh4t]

So now it has been approved, does anyone have any PIREPs? Install time? Finished cost? How much they like it or not?

Its on my wish list, but will wait until its a proven good thing 

[EricJ]

16 hours ago, Joshua Blackh4t said:

So now it has been approved, does anyone have any PIREPs? Install time? Finished cost? How much they like it or not?

Its on my wish list, but will wait until its a proven good thing 

A while back there were a few folks on the Mooney FB groups that got some installations done before shipping stopped again.   Reports were positive.   

[00-Negative]

Maybe reach out to this guy. I think he installed his own nearly a year ago. He seems to like it.

- David

[Joshua Blackh4t]

Now that is an awesome panel. Forget the big screen tv, nice and neat.

Too bad I'm not on Facebook. I'll keep waiting until more info comes out.

Thanks

[Utah20Gflyer]

5 hours ago, Joshua Blackh4t said:

Now that is an awesome panel. Forget the big screen tv, nice and neat.

Too bad I'm not on Facebook. I'll keep waiting until more info comes out.

Thanks

I’ve been watching things develop with the Aerocuze autopilot closely.  They seem to be available now but there have been some issues with installations.  Apparently their approval included models that had different set ups and the parts weren’t working.  I think the issue is with short body airframes but no one who really knows has come out and said explicitly what models are affected.   Which is frustrating.  
 

Im probably not going to be able to afford to do an auto pilot until next year anyway so I just keep watching things progress and hoping all the kinks are worked out by the time I order.  

[NickG]

I can’t speak to how well it will perform in a Mooney but I had one in my last plane, a Cherokee 235. I had 2 G5’s and a Garmin GPS 175. So here’s my PIREP

Pros: good price point, reliable, flies gps approaches, GPSS, and heading mode. Has internal GPS also so can fly internal Track mode.

Cons: no auto trim, constantly prompts for manual retrimming. Not great in strong crosswinds or moderate turbulence. Make sure the ball is centered. Not approved for coupled approaches (although will fly them). Not approved below 800ft. Really helps to link the G5’s so you can baro sync and fly heading mode otherwise it’s a royal PIA. GPS approaches only, won’t fly ILS approaches.

despite the more lengthy “con” section it’s actually a decent autopilot for the $$. Just don’t expect a GFC500 level feature set.

[Schllc]

I would be scared about support in the future, especially when it comes time to sell the plane. 
are these options really that much cheaper, or is it just an aversion to garmin?

[NickG]

Here’s a really good review of the TruTrak (Aerocruz) done by my friend Eric.

 

[NickG]

1 hour ago, Schllc said:

I would be scared about support in the future, especially when it comes time to sell the plane. 
are these options really that much cheaper, or is it just an aversion to garmin?

It is much cheaper. More than half. However, having had both (I now have a full Garmin panel w/G3X, 750, GFC500 etc), you can’t really compare the two - the GFC500 is on a whole different level. Comes down to budget.

[Joshua Blackh4t]

7 hours ago, NickG said:

It is much cheaper. More than half. However, having had both (I now have a full Garmin panel w/G3X, 750, GFC500 etc), you can’t really compare the two - the GFC500 is on a whole different level. Comes down to budget.

As a vfr pilot, possibly planning IFR in the future, all I want is something to hold the plane on course while I look out the window and find the snacks. 

Keeping me alive if I hit clouds might also be helpful.

The difference between Garmin and Aerocruze would be 99% wasted on me. I'd be happy with an Accutrak. But honestly, start overhauling all that, tracking down legacy parts and making sense of it all... cost will escalate, and still no alt hold.

So, very interested in the Aerocruze.

 

[NickG]

1 minute ago, Joshua Blackh4t said:

As a vfr pilot, possibly planning IFR in the future, all I want is something to hold the plane on course while I look out the window and find the snacks. 

Keeping me alive if I hit clouds might also be helpful.

The difference between Garmin and Aerocruze would be 99% wasted on me. I'd be happy with an Accutrak. But honestly, start overhauling all that, tracking down legacy parts and making sense of it all... cost will escalate, and still no alt hold.

So, very interested in the Aerocruze.

 

Joshua,

The Aerocruz would meet all of your requirement, and more. If you have G5’s or similar, I would strongly suggest having them connected to the Aerocruz via GAD29. That way, you can fly heading mode (rather than track which uses the internal GPS on the Aerocruz) as well as GPSS. Also, the Baro on the G5 or equivalent will set the Aerocruz. If you don’t do that, you have to manually enter your altitude into the Aerocruz every time you get a baro change.

I forgot to mention  that of course the Aerocruz has altitude select, altitude hold and vertical speed modes.

As I said, sounds like a very good match for your needs.

[McMooney]

9 hours ago, Joshua Blackh4t said:

As a vfr pilot, possibly planning IFR in the future, all I want is something to hold the plane on course while I look out the window and find the snacks. 

Keeping me alive if I hit clouds might also be helpful.

The difference between Garmin and Aerocruze would be 99% wasted on me. I'd be happy with an Accutrak. But honestly, start overhauling all that, tracking down legacy parts and making sense of it all... cost will escalate, and still no alt hold.

So, very interested in the Aerocruze.

 

If my brittain had altitude hold, i wouldn't need a new AP at all,   it follows pink and green lines like it's on rails

[N757DL]

Does anyone have first hand experience with the DER method of approval. I really want to install but would like referral to an DER that has already got one approved. Any help would be appreciated.


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[mmcdaniel33]

+1 on the Aerocruz 100.  Had it installed in my Piper Warrior II and it was wonderful and flawless.  When my CIIB and STEC 60PSS cashes in I would prefer to move back to the Aerocruz.