Century 2000 Autopilot Computer Repair

[FLYFST]

Anyone have a recommendation on where to send a Century 2000 Autopilot Computer for repair?  My understanding is Century Flight Systems in Mineral Wells, TX is no longer in business.  I'm currently investigating sending the unit to Palm Beach Avionics, but would appreciate any other recommendations.  I realize given the 25 year age of the unit it would be best for the long term to invest in a new, digital autopilot, and will likely do so when its time for the next upgrade of other avionics, but not yet.

thanks - Hank

[AndreiC]

I think there was a couple of years ago an outfit called Autopilots Central in Tulsa OK that was working on Century autopilots. Not sure if they still do, but worth a try. My experience with them about 7-8 years ago was good. You can find them on google. 

[MikeOH]

No direct experience, but here's another I've read good reviews on:

https://executiveautopilots.com/

 

[LANCECASPER]

2 hours ago, FLYFST said:

Anyone have a recommendation on where to send a Century 2000 Autopilot Computer for repair?  My understanding is Century Flight Systems in Mineral Wells, TX is no longer in business.  I'm currently investigating sending the unit to Palm Beach Avionics, but would appreciate any other recommendations.  I realize given the 25 year age of the unit it would be best for the long term to invest in a new, digital autopilot, and will likely do so when its time for the next upgrade of other avionics, but not yet.

thanks - Hank

Search is your friend on Mooneyspace:

https://mooneyspace.com/search/?q="Century 2000"&quick=1&updated_after=any&sortby=relevancy

[FLYFST]

No direct experience, but here's another I've read good reviews on:
https://executiveautopilots.com/
 

Thanks! I will look into them.
Hank


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[FLYFST]

I think there was a couple of years ago an outfit called Autopilots Central in Tulsa OK that was working on Century autopilots. Not sure if they still do, but worth a try. My experience with them about 7-8 years ago was good. You can find them on google. 

Thanks, I know of them but thought they no longer worked on the Century 2000. I’ll give them a call.
Hank


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[FLYFST]

Search is your friend on Mooneyspace:
https://mooneyspace.com/search/?q="Century 2000"&quick=1&updated_after=any&sortby=relevancy

Indeed it is, but what I found so far is dated and not very useful. I will keep at it.
Thanks- Hank


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[LANCECASPER]

2 hours ago, FLYFST said:

Indeed it is, but what I found so far is dated and not very useful. I will keep at it.
Thanks- Hank


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@Jake@BevanAviation might not be able to fix it but I think he can tell you who can. 

[FLYFST]

[mention=17169]Jake@BevanAviation[/mention] might not be able to fix it but I think he can tell you who can. 

Great, thanks very much.
Hank


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[Flyler]

I spoke with Autopilots Central on the phone about 2 months ago regarding a Century 41.  They said they would repair mine if I sent it in.  I forget the gentleman's name but he was knowledgeable, friendly, and very generous with his time on the phone.  I'm just guessing here but I would imagine if they'll work on the somewhat rare C41, they're still fixing up c2000's too.

I'll do a small prayer for your credit card

[LANCECASPER]

8 hours ago, Flyler said:

I spoke with Autopilots Central on the phone about 2 months ago regarding a Century 41.  They said they would repair mine if I sent it in.  I forget the gentleman's name but he was knowledgeable, friendly, and very generous with his time on the phone.  I'm just guessing here but I would imagine if they'll work on the somewhat rare C41, they're still fixing up c2000's too.

I'll do a small prayer for your credit card

For sure talk to Jacob Kinsey at Bevan Aviation before sending it off to Autopilots Central, which is outrageously expensive. @Jake@BevanAviation is the autopilot whisperer. 

The Century IIB, 21, 31, 41 were used for years. The 2000 is a different animal, but he will give you straightforward advice and anything that I have heard that they fixed was done well and the price was fair.

https://bevanaviation.com/our-company/

[Flyler]

29 minutes ago, LANCECASPER said:

For sure talk to Jacob Kinsey at Bevan Aviation before sending it off to Autopilots Central, which is outrageously expensive. @Jake@BevanAviation is the autopilot whisperer. 

The Century IIB, 21, 31, 41 were used for years. The 2000 is a different animal, but he will give you straightforward advice and anything that I have haerd that they fixed was done well and the price was fair.

https://bevanaviation.com/our-company/

Thank you. I hope to take my 201 home soon which has a century 41 that is "inop" but I do not have enough details to know where to start troubleshooting until she comes home. It's great to have another reference for these aging, but still capable units!

[Jake@BevanAviation]

@FLYFST  With Century Flight Systems being out of business the support for Century autopilots systems is dropping off pretty fast unless someone has a supply of parts.  The problem with the Century 21, 31, 41, and 2000 is there are not many used units and some of the parts I could only get from Century.  For example, if it is an altitude hold issue with the Century 2000, I have no new transducer parts and no new board assemblies with the revised alt hold transducer.  I have fixed some for other customers but I had to have a working parts unit.  Some times you can get lucky and find a unit on eBay or a salvage yard.  However, the C2000 is voltage specific and there were several revisions to the board assemblies.  What issue are you having with your C2000 system?

[FLYFST]

I spoke with Autopilots Central on the phone about 2 months ago regarding a Century 41.  They said they would repair mine if I sent it in.  I forget the gentleman's name but he was knowledgeable, friendly, and very generous with his time on the phone.  I'm just guessing here but I would imagine if they'll work on the somewhat rare C41, they're still fixing up c2000's too.
I'll do a small prayer for your credit card

Thanks! Probably will need a big prayer and offerings to the Gods of Avionics


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[FLYFST]

[mention=7952]FLYFST[/mention]  With Century Flight Systems being out of business the support for Century autopilots systems is dropping off pretty fast unless someone has a supply of parts.  The problem with the Century 21, 31, 41, and 2000 is there are not many used units and some of the parts I could only get from Century.  For example, if it is an altitude hold issue with the Century 2000, I have no new transducer parts and no new board assemblies with the revised alt hold transducer.  I have fixed some for other customers but I had to have a working parts unit.  Some times you can get lucky and find a unit on eBay or a salvage yard.  However, the C2000 is voltage specific and there were several revisions to the board assemblies.  What issue are you having with your C2000 system?

Thanks Jake. I will PM you separately. The unit just went dark after working well during the flight. Resetting the CB made no difference and on the ground I verified the CB works. I have a working spare that is the same model number but different part number and came out of a Velocity acft during an upgrade, so I don’t think I can plug in the spare in my M20J and expect it to work, but may just fry something else.


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