Autopilot stc

rmorris · #1 12-17-16, 04:36 PM

Got this email today from a company trying to STC their Autopilot for certified aircraft. Previously they sold to experimental only, but in this new era of avionics getting EAA and AOPA support for STC, they are working to get approval.

Expressing an interest is not a commitment....

Here is info...
Folks,

I know you are all excited about the Trio Autopilot project.

The project is progressing smoothly. I am confident that we will have the STC “in hand” at AirVenture 2017. The schedule slipped due to some “politics”. The STC Group and Trio plans to show a Cessna 182H and Piper Dakota at Sun N Fun 2017.

Here are the latest standings in the polls as of Saturday December 17, 2016. Remember that we will be adding aircraft to the STC based upon customer interest. I will update the list monthly going forward. If you want your model moved up the list please continue to generate that buzz we discuss on the last update email.

Cessna Twins 2

Twin Bonanza 6

Socata 5

Piper Lance 3

Piper PA28 63

Navion 1

Mooney 14

Maule 4

Grumman 2

Twin Comanche 10 Twin Comanche will be covered after we have completed the 172 project. Our “in house” attorney owns a PA-30. I hope this will cover the Comanche lineup.

Cessna 180, 182, 185 68 There are other models of this type not mentioned in this group. Cessna 182 covered on first STC application.

Cessna L-19 1

Cessna Cardinal 17 All models

Cessna 337 1

Cessna 205 – 210 8 205, 206, 207, 210, etc.

Cessna 172 20 Cessna 172 type covered on first STC application

Twin Bonanza 4 I though there were more of you ?

Bellanca 1

Beech Baron 1

Cheers,

Paul C. Odum
Paul.odum@sbcglobal.net
The STC Group
Mobile +1 805 304 5246
You'll never be lost at Mach 2 with a Trio Autopilot !

JAG · #2 01-05-17, 11:44 AM

I sent Paul a note registering interest.

Jeff

hharney · #3 01-05-17, 07:07 PM

https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/...cost-autopilot

https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/eaa-news-...ak-stc-project

kilr4d · #4 04-19-17, 09:43 AM

Gents,

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE visit the link and add your aircraft/email info.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...ewform?c=0&w=1

It takes 30 seconds, it's free and they won't hassle you with spam. Companies like Trio and TruTrak are the BEST CHANCE we've got at an affordable way to get rid of our legacy autopilots /directional gyros/attitude indicators.

hharney · #5 04-19-17, 08:27 PM

Done did it.
I think we need to show interest to EAA also. They hold the STC for the Garmin G5 PFD/HSI.
This unit has been certified for C172, C182, PA-28, etc and could be the best option for a Aspen like PFD at an affordable price. Just a thought

LostKiwi · #6 04-20-17, 03:30 PM

Thrown my hat in the ring...

I have the Garmin G5 in my 337 (am I the first?) and absolutely love the thing. The Skymaster is on the AML for the STC.
Garmin just recently got the G5 approved as a primary HSI as well - have a package deal, 2 x G5's for 5 grand. That gives you something that approximates the Aspen 1000 for half the price.

Dynon have a similar STC for the D10.

I think now that manufactures have opened this door, we're going to see more cool stuff from the experimental world crossing into the Certified arena, which I'm all for. The FAA are encouraging it.
It'd be cool to see a new autopilot option for the old girl, the STEC is super awesome, but its over 20k.
*Ouch*

Leighton.

Frank Benvin · #7 04-20-17, 09:18 PM

https://www.aircraftspruce.ca/catalo...n_g5_dghsi.php

hharney · #8 04-21-17, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostKiwi

The Skymaster is on the AML for the STC.

The link above from Aircraft Spruce has an AML list but our Skymasters are not on it. It looks to me like only the Reims built aircraft are on the list. Maybe I'm wrong or there must be another list somewhere.............

LostKiwi · #9 04-21-17, 08:43 PM

Herb,

Same list, keep scrolling down.
Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron Aviation Inc.) [Cessna Aircraft Company]

336. - A2CE
337, 337A (USAF 02B) 337B, T337B, 337C, 337E, T337E, T337C, 337D, T337D, 337F, T337F, 337G, T337G, 337H, T337H, T337H-SP - A6CE

Leighton.

rmorris · #10 04-22-17, 05:31 PM

holy smokes....sure enough, there it is on the AML, my T337C. You're right, $4118 with harness and gps interface times two will make a nice replacement for my older NSD-360a HSI....it says avail May 9th.

Just need to make sure it interfacees ok with my dual Avidyne IFD550 stack, as well as investigate the use of it as heading indicator for the Navomatic

good info...any PIREPS on the unit thus far (ie anyone have advanced unit)? Also, any other competitors we should be checking out b4 jumping on this one?

LostKiwi · #11 04-22-17, 05:44 PM

I have the G5 installed as an AH and can speak very highly of it. Moderately confident I'm the first 337 driver to install one.
Its very clear and bright and readable, regardless of light conditions (has a light sensor in it, auto dims as needed) Info is easy to interpret, altitude presets are super handy, you get a lot of bang for the buck. Plus... it makes the panel look super cool!

Right out of the box it has the HSI as an option, but installed in the AH slot you have to disable that as part of the STC. Of course I sat there and played with it before i disabled it... Its pretty schweet!
You can have the full circle, or the half circle. I think from memory it has the VOR's and traffic on it as an over lay - sorta moving map styles. Don't quote me on that though.

Before you pull the trigger, check with Garmin about the 2 for 1 deal. I'm pretty sure they are offering a combo of the AH and the HSI together, and it was a bunch cheaper than trying to buy them individually.

Leighton.

kilr4d · #12 04-22-17, 08:44 PM

Sneak peek of my new panel.

kilr4d · #13 04-22-17, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmorris

...will make a nice replacement for my older NSD-360a HSI...

... as well as investigate the use of it as heading indicator for the Navomatic...

Nope, nope, nope. This is what all the Cessna heavy singles and light twins need and Garmin HAS NOT done it.

The G5 (including the new HSI versions) can't provide heading bug info to analog autopilots. If you want get rid of your legacy HSA/DG/AI you also need to buy a new autopilot. Period.

This is why we're all dying for Trio or TruTrak to come to market with an autopilot for us.

LostKiwi · #14 04-22-17, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Sneak peek of my new panel.

Looks real nice!
Got your 3 bladed props installed yet?

Have you priced out the STEC autopilot installation?

kilr4d · #15 04-22-17, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostKiwi

Got your 3 bladed props installed yet?

A couple of GIANT triangular packages actually arrived this week.

We're a couple weeks away from completed install though...gotta get through the panel upgrade and annual.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostKiwi

Have you priced out the STEC autopilot installation?

Newp. I'm just going to keep the 400A until someone (Trio? TruTrak) comes out with a cost effective autopilot or until Garmin releases a digital to analog converter that will drive analog autopilots.

I've even been pricing GPSS modules from DAC and Icarus...even that doesn't make sense. You're in for almost $5k by the time you add connectors and the annunciator and you still don't get vertical navigation. :/