GFC 500 vs Dynon Skyview autopilot

[Ripley98]

Not much seems to be on this subject since it is fairly new. I currently have experience with the gfc 500 autopilot and it has been superb. Looking to upgrade a recent 231 I purchased with the skyview suite from dynon. My only concern is how their autopilot compares to the gfc 500. With the recent approval for the mooneys I know their isn’t much experience out there for us but was wondering if anyone has flown or done a comparison between the two? 

 

 

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[Ragsf15e]

4 minutes ago, Ripley98 said:

 

Not much seems to be on this subject since it is fairly new. I currently have experience with the gfc 500 autopilot and it has been superb. Looking to upgrade a recent 231 I purchased with the skyview suite from dynon. My only concern is how their autopilot compares to the gfc 500. With the recent approval for the mooneys I know their isn’t much experience out there for us but was wondering if anyone has flown or done a comparison between the two? 

 

 

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We probably don’t have anyone with a Dynon AP installed yet.  Possibly try Beechtalk or similar for an airframe that has had the Dynon approved for a while?  They are likely going to have airplanes with the Dynon and similar ones with the gfc500?

[BlueSky247]

In one of the threads here, a member from Australia reported having the dynon ap (due to the different regs for approvals they have there) and being very happy with it. IIRC, it works just fine for coupled approaches, which is huge, imo.

[bigmo]

Maybe check wherever Cessna owners hang out; literally every Cessna single is approved and some for quite some time. I have a couple of hours behind one in a 182. Nothing was remarkable (and I owned a Garmin equipped a/c at the time). Nothing remarkable is good IMO. I just set IAS for climb, enroute was uneventful, and let the navigator manage my approach. I can't recall if I flew a hold, but the learning curve was nonexistent. 

[ArtVandelay]

One main difference is Garmin replaces the trim servo, Dynon requires electric trim to be installed and uses it.

[BlueSky247]

16 minutes ago, ArtVandelay said:

One main difference is Garmin replaces the trim servo, Dynon requires electric trim to be installed and uses it.

Thanks for the pointer! I need to sort out getting that added on my J at some point.

[KSMooniac]

One main difference is Garmin replaces the trim servo, Dynon requires electric trim to be installed and uses it.

Not quite, to my knowledge. They do not have their own electric trim system, either separate or optional with the autopilot. I believe their autopilot will prompt you to trim when the pitch force exceeds a threshold. You can trim with an existing electric trim system, or just manually move the wheel. I do not think you can connect their autopilot to a 3rd party trim system directly. The lack of an electric trim option is the only downside I can think of for their system. (I've been flying my J without electric trim forever so it isn't a deal-breaker IMO.)

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[ArtVandelay]

Not quite, to my knowledge. They do not have their own electric trim system, either separate or optional with the autopilot. I believe their autopilot will prompt you to trim when the pitch force exceeds a threshold. You can trim with an existing electric trim system, or just manually move the wheel. I do not think you can connect their autopilot to a 3rd party trim system directly. The lack of an electric trim option is the only downside I can think of for their system. (I've been flying my J without electric trim forever so it isn't a deal-breaker IMO.)

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From their website:

*** Trim control features including Autopilot Auto-Trim require the installation of the SV-AP-TRIMAMP and SV-AP-PANEL. The aircraft must also have an electric trim system installed via original equipment, an existing STC, or other certification means. The SkyView STC is not grounds for installation of a trim motor.

[LANCECASPER]

On 11/3/2024 at 11:59 AM, bigmo said:

Maybe check wherever Cessna owners hang out; literally every Cessna single is approved and some for quite some time. I have a couple of hours behind one in a 182. Nothing was remarkable (and I owned a Garmin equipped a/c at the time). Nothing remarkable is good IMO. I just set IAS for climb, enroute was uneventful, and let the navigator manage my approach. I can't recall if I flew a hold, but the learning curve was nonexistent. 

No. None of the 150, 152, 177, 205, 206, 210, 400 Cessna singles are approved.

The only Cessna single engine models approved for the Dynon autopilot are some  172 and 182 models. Early 172s and 182s are not.

https://www.dynoncertified.com/single-engine-approvals.php#amlpricing

[KSMooniac]

10 hours ago, ArtVandelay said:

From their website:

*** Trim control features including Autopilot Auto-Trim require the installation of the SV-AP-TRIMAMP and SV-AP-PANEL. The aircraft must also have an electric trim system installed via original equipment, an existing STC, or other certification means. The SkyView STC is not grounds for installation of a trim motor.

thanks, I stand corrected!  I tried to find an AML or other installation doc that would outline which models/systems could be connected, but I could not find it easily.  

All that aside, I wonder why they didn't do that list little bit of work to include a trim system...

[James L. Beck]

Hi All,

I will be installing a Dynon 1100 system into a Mooney M20J with the new Dynon Autopilot.  I do not have the kit yet, but it seems pretty straight forward.  The original Pitch Trim servo stays with the Trim/AP DISC switches.  The Autopilot interfaces directly with the Dynon Glass system.  This is my 3rd Dynon system install.  The first one in a Mooney.  I will keep posted as I progress.  Everyone stay safe and have a nice day. 

[NotarPilot]

On 2/26/2025 at 11:29 AM, James L. Beck said:

Hi All,

I will be installing a Dynon 1100 system into a Mooney M20J with the new Dynon Autopilot.  I do not have the kit yet, but it seems pretty straight forward.  The original Pitch Trim servo stays with the Trim/AP DISC switches.  The Autopilot interfaces directly with the Dynon Glass system.  This is my 3rd Dynon system install.  The first one in a Mooney.  I will keep posted as I progress.  Everyone stay safe and have a nice day. 

What’s a Dynon 1100 system? I’ve never heard of that.

[Mooney in Oz]

4 hours ago, NotarPilot said:

What’s a Dynon 1100 system? I’ve never heard of that.

G’day Steve.

He probably means the Skyview HDX1100 display.

https://shop.dynon.com/products/sv-hdx1100-b-10-skyview-hdx-display-with-harness