Fully integrated autupilot

[ChristianGodin]

I have a 1977 Mooney equiped with a Pathfinder autopilot upgraded with SAM. It's a wings leveller with GPSS stering. No GS, no altitude hold...

First, the SAM is laging when a turn is more than 45 degree like a procedure turn. If anyone has that system, do you have the same problem?

If I want a fully integrated autopilot, what would be the model I should look at and what is the approx. price?

Thank you

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

Avidyne DFC-90. Roll out time for Mooney TBD

[Marauder]

The Avidyne offering will be nice -- if they certify it for Mooneys. It is on my wish list of questions to ask for those going to Oshkosh. If the answer is "never" the only options i would consider would be a Century or STEC version. I have the 60-2 and love it. Others who have the Century 2000 love it. I would do a lot of shopping before committing the money. APs have gotten really expensive. The $10K USD DFC-90 offering for the Bonanzas is offered as a retrofit using STEC previously installed servos. It just replaces the analog controllers with digital ones.

[Rwsavory]

If you want your existing system repaired, I would contact autopilots central in Tulsa. For a new system I would strongly consider S-Tec. We also have the 60-2 with auto trim, the GPSS add-on and alt/vs preselect. I use it all on just about every cross-country flight. Budget about $20,000 Installed for a full system like this.

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

+1 for autopilot central if your going the repair route; however, I would wait for avidyne (if its not going to take another 5 years) as opposed to throwing money at newer yet inferior STEC or Centry system.

[Rwsavory]

+1 for autopilot central if your going the repair route; however, I would wait for avidyne (if its not going to take another 5 years) as opposed to throwing money at newer yet inferior STEC or Centry system.

Checked DFC90 faqs. No mention of Mooney. A decent a/p is better than none, IMHO.

[Danb]

For kicks check out the servos

, they may be weak

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

DP

[aviatoreb]

Word on the street is that they are planning a Mooney STC...eventually.  I would be very interested.

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

Checked DFC90 faqs. No mention of Mooney. A decent a/p is better than none, IMHO.

...delayed gratification

[Jsavage3]

I have manual pitch trim only with the KAP 100 A/P (think wing leveler / heading hold)...a very undesirable A/P.  Will not having electric trim cause me issues for upgrading my A/P?

 

Tear out the KAP 100 and go in with an STEC?  I want something that will be compatible with the Garmin GTN-650...

 

Your recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

[carusoam]

See if there is an upgrade path to convert to a KAP 150. That has alt hold and other VS attributes.

Combining with GPSS gives a very capable system...

Best regards,

-a-

[KSMooniac]

You can add an STEC altitude hold module and a GPSS module (or an Aspen) and end up with a great setup for modest expense vs. replacing the entire autopilot. Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 4

[flyboy0681]

SAM with KAP 150. Performs beautifully and I love it. 

[jlunseth]

The reviews in publications like Aviation Consumer, etc. all say that the attitude based AP's (mostly the Kings) are superior in flight to the rate based AP's (S-TEC, most Century, etc.).  I love my KFC200.  It is alt. hold, my next one I would like alt. and VS select, but it is a great AP.

[Bennett]

KAP150 (w altitude hold), Icarus SAM GPSS steering, GTN 750 coupled.  Great combination.

[jlunseth]

My understanding of the difference between the KAP and the KFC autopilots, within the same model number, is the KAP do not have a Flight Director where the KFC's do.  I have a KFC but honestly do not see the usefulness of command bars and Flight Directors. 

[manu damaschin]

Vbars are usefull when IFR flying without the AP (ex: go around, turn for a new heading, etc)...

[Marauder]

Vbars are usefull when IFR flying without the AP (ex: go around, turn for a new heading, etc)...

 

I wasn't going to chime in on this, but I had the STEC single cue flight director installed. It did make the transition from missed approaches a bit easier.

[gsengle]

I'm making a vote for correct spellings.  After the speed break thread.  (brake!)  Lets change this one to autopilot from autupilot.  This matters if you ever want to search for anything...

 

g

[ChristianGodin]

Sorry if itis a problem for you to understand my poor english. My first language is french.

[gsengle]

You spelled it correctly in your post, just not in the subject, which appears to be a typo

 

merci,

g

 

Sorry if itis a problem for you to understand my poor english. My first language is french.

[RobertoTohme]

When I bought my Eagle it came with an S-Tec 30 with altitude hold, which I later upgraded to a 55x with GPSS, Alt select and FD...  it now can take the plane from 400 ft AGL at the departure end to 200 ft on the arriving end with nothing more than a few button pushes and power / flap management provided a flight plan loaded on the GNS500W.   Wonderful system, and although I've heard around some bad comments about S-Tec autopilots, I can't say a bad thing about mine.

[carusoam]

I assumed they were talking about the maintenance issue. When the clutch wears out, it's broke....

-a-