Just pulled the trigger on a TruTrak A/P (now Bendix King Aerocruze) for my Skywagon. Aside from the silly name, I was wondering if anyone has had any luck with em yet? Thoughts on install? Looks pretty simple and straight forward. Should be a nice upgrade from the old STEC 30.

Greg-

Greg,

There is a bit of info on the 180/185 Club website. Go to Avionics and search Tru Trak. Hopefully it is helpful.

MW

185Midwest wrote:There is a bit of info on the 180/185 Club website

But their home page has three Skywagons with small tires and wheel pants. I just cant look there... I just cant. LOL

I installed the TruTrak (AeroCruze 100) Autopilot in my 180B earlier this spring. Installation was straight forward and occurred over a couple of weekends. All of the mounting brackets and hardware were spot on and quality was good. The hardest part of the process was probably attaching the roll servo actuator arm (and associated hardware) to the aileron bell crank due to very tight working spaces (not an issue with the product, just a tough area).

It's currently connected to a Garmin 696 for basic VFR - Nav guidance via RS-232. However, the guidance from a portable GPS navigator is sub par due to lack of/poor roll steering commands. This results in some overflying and course hunting. It would be better if connected to a IFR navigator (i.e. 430/375/650, etc) via ARINC 429. Now, 99% of the time I just prefer to fly in Heading mode which can be selected via the rotary knob on the head unit. It has an internal Gyro and holds heading and altitude well.

As some will probably point out, there are much more powerful systems out there with lots of bells & whistles (i.e Garmin GFC 500, etc) which would come in handy if you're performing consistent IFR work. However, the benefit of the TruTrak system was $5k price tag - out the door for a modern Digital AP without having to go to a authorized dealer to have installed. For me, being able to work with my mechanic to perform the install was preferred.

Since this is primarily a VFR Backcountry bird, I don't need auto-trim or the ability to fly conventional/ILS approaches. However it will fly a vertically guided LPV approach and has altitude pre-select. I do a lot of long range flying in the 180 and the ability to use the autopilot for certain legs has been great. It cuts down on the workload and makes the long legs more enjoyable. Shortly after installing the autopilot I flew back and forth from Colorado to Alaska. The new system worked flawlessly with minimal adjustments. With autopilot and decent weather I was able to fly both portions from AK to CONUS in one day.

So, if you're mission doesn't require complex IFR flying, the TruTrak system provides a great value and would definitely recommend.

Bigrenna,

Here is the only post of relevance I could find. Sorry I only have 8:50x6's on my 185 so you can ignore my post if too embarrassed.

Just performed my first check flight in my 180C with a Vizion AP. Performed very well and requires no tweaking. Cost of install approximately $2000 with many hours of owner assisted hours of labor.
I did consult with Randy Long about some installation techniques such as fitting the roll servo into the inspection hole. It goes in backwards then orient it once inside.
As for the pitch servo bracket location, install guide appendix E (180/185) page 20, step 4 needs better guidance. I would disregard the use of elevator cables as an approximation of station 172 aircraft center line. In my 180, there’s one rivet on the forward flange that is spot on. The problem occurs when you offset the left edge of the servo bracket 2.25” left of centerline. Using the cables would probably cause the bracket to be too far left thus creating a conflict between the pitch rod “Link Sensor” block and the elevator bell crank bracket. Just a heads up here. I would put the assembly together before drilling the bracket holes to make sure no contact between the pitch rod sensor and the bellcrank bracket. Also, my 180’s elevator bracket was shaped differently than the photograph in the guide.
Also, I was impressed with the technical service and the organized packaging the autopilot was delivered in.


MW

MTNWEST wrote:... the benefit of the TruTrak system was $5k price tag - out the door for a modern Digital AP without having to go to a authorized dealer to have installed. For me, being able to work with my mechanic to perform the install was preferred. ....if you're mission doesn't require complex IFR flying, the TruTrak system provides a great value and would definitely recommend.

Based on these comments, this A/P would be right up my alley if / when I decide to install one.
Thanks for posting the report.

I did one last winter on a straight tail 182B. Works great, and while it won't really fly approaches, it sure takes the workload off the pilot otherwise. Has the "blue button", but we haven't tested it to its' limits.

Install was very straightforward, and I liked that it didn't have cables, but control rods that act on the surface controls.

It is tied into the GAD-29, and you add a switch where it can follow the magenta line or heading bug from G5.

Wish I could get one for my 182A, but they don't support the R-STOL equipped aircraft.

Rod

Wa180 wrote:...while it won't really fly approaches,

Rod, can you clarify? The literature says it "will" fly LPV approaches... and as far as I can tell, the AIRINC signals are agnostic so the unit can't discern what guidance is coming out of the navigator regardless of the 700' operational limit. Ostensibly it will fly LNAV/VNAV as well, just not legally... I think??

Im running twin G5s with the GAD29, so I would expect it to do most of the wiz bang fancy stuff except for airspeed climb. I called left a message for Zach at Bendix to get the gospel, but they are away till after the holiday. I guess we shall see!

Hello all,

We just finished the install, not having ever done one I would say it was about 40 hours in total. Fairly straightforward but as 185 Midwest points out the directions for the pitch servo could be better. We followed the directions step by step and the pitch servo was the only area that was as challenge. I would suggest putting all the pitch servo parts together and then look at placement to get the best spot so it does not hit the bell crank. My 180H looked different than the pictures too. We found if you use the ball joint closer to the outer limit at the bell crank that worked without any interference. The roll servo was fun due to the limited space but doable. We are running it off a 430W so will see if it really does all the wiz bang stuff.

Once the paperwork is done the test flying will begin.

Yes, unfortunate that none of the new autopilots are willing to support RSTOL. Have to go with ancient stec which would be more expensive than Garmin. Any ideas? 75 a185f RSTOL

Hey Greg!
I pulled the trigger today on the Trio autopilot. I look forward to comparing our evaluations of the two autopilot products.
My avionics shop did not discourage me from TruTrak, but a friend swears by the Trio.

Regardless, you're credible and I respect your expertise. For anyone else - the Trio staff was very helpful on day one. more to follow

Chicodeman

@bigrenna any PIREP on the Aerocruze on your 180? I’m thinking of installing it as well - or the Trio (STC group) autopilot.

corefile wrote:@bigrenna any PIREP on the Aerocruze on your 180? I’m thinking of installing it as well - or the Trio (STC group) autopilot.

LOL... a PIREP would mean I would have had time to work on my own airplane. Not installed yet unfortunately.

Anyone that has done the trutrak (aerocruz) install, the required red CWS button on the yoke wheel - is that a Momentary Normally Open (NO) or Momentary Normally Closed (NC) switch button? Install manual does not specify and trying to track down everything need to install in advance.

Just an update...

In the end, I decided that the TruTrak (now Aerocruze 100) wasn't for me and wen't for the Garmin. That said, I just finished my first install for a customer on his 182, so here's a brief pirep...

The upper wing servo bracket didn't fit like it was supposed to, but I was able to make it work without too much fuss.

NET/NET the install was pretty straight forward, taking just under 37 hrs (including the removal of an existing wing leveler, cleaning up behind the panel a bit, installing an Area 660 via Airgizmo, and painting all the bare alum brackets.) Spruce claims 25-35hrs, but Im not sure how anyone could get it done in 25 unless they just didnt give a flying $&#@ and ham fisted it in.

The installation docs were a touch confusing, requiring some clarification, which proved to be a bit of a round-about-cluster. TruTrak was bought by Bendix/King, but they don't do any of their own support. I had to call MidContenent, get with their techs, then wait for them to relay the question to the TruTrak engineer who now works for Honeywell. I was not allowed to contact the Honeywell engineer directly.

The MidCo guys were really helpful, but in the end, I had to wait four days to get my answer.

I've not yet flight tested it, but everything seemed to go smooth. I do like how the STC allows for a connection to the Aera 660, which is what we did.

I will say that the anecdotal conversations with the MidCo guys weren't very reassuring they reported seeing lots of issues with the servos... I guess we'll find out.

Having now held both kits in my hand, I'm glad I went with the Garmin.

FWIW - We put a Trutrak "Vizion" (pre Bendix King acquisition) in our 182 in 2019. The only issue we had was they sent us the wrong pushrod for the aileron servo (for an earlier style bellcrank). They promptly sent us the correct one. Everything else went in smoothly and it's been 4 years without a problem.

Chris

Was interested in TruTrak for the simplicity and the fact that they are more free standing than the integrated systems but all installers I spoke to indicated the support was dreadful and were backordered for a year. The trio seemed better in this class and the head unit has better aesthetics but they would not work with Robertson Stol. Ultimately, I took the Garmin plunge with G5s and autopilot. Trips are now boring with George at the helm and too much time to worry about the engine making funny noises. If you already have a G5 or 275 then Garmin is a no brainer particularly if you want it to do approaches well. If I were in your position I would probably do the STEC upgrade program or keep what you have. There is a shop in TN that dials in legacy autopilots well. Any autopilot is way better than none.

I'm not interested in an A/P that will fly approaches etc--
more just one to take the helm while I'm looking at a chart etc and keep me upright and on course.
A friend of mine bought a single-axis TruTrak A/P several years ago,
it was not STC'd but he had the idea to bootleg it into his Pacer.
A bad idea which he later thought better of, but he did mount the controller (servo?) which was pretty nicely engineered IMHO.
It mounted on the vertical control column and had a sprocket which engaged the chains which connect to the aileron cables.
Relatively inexpensive, very simple, easy to install, easy to get at to adjust or whatever.
I'd love to install something like that, but unfortunately they don't make it any more.
In fact, I don't think anyone makes a simple, single-axis A/P any more.