Need an affordardable AutoPilot option for your certified plane anyone ?

Right on the heels of the recent announcement that the G5 could soon be used as a horizontal situation indicator, here is a little tidbit that was just posted on the AOPA website.

Apparently in addition to TruTrak, TRIO Avionics is also in the game to earn PMA and an STC for a non TSO’s autopilot . Right now Cessna 172/182 A/C are mentioned, but surely the 180/185 folks will not be left wanting. The small size and round format of the TRIO is ideal particularly for a cramped panel where the larger rectangular footprint of a Garmin 305/307 might be too tight a squeeze.

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A new group is working with Trio Avionics to bring its non-TSO'd Trio Pro Pilot autopilot into Cessna 172 and 182 airplanes as an off-the-shelf retrofit choice for legacy general aviation aircraft. Courtesy photo by Trio Avionics.

Link: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2017/march/30/faa-ready-for-next-step-in-simplifying-certification

Even saving a couple of AMUs on the box itself won't help a whole lot on the overall installation costs. The labor of installing any autopilot is pretty extensive, what with servos and testing and whatnot. By no means am I against non-TSO'd avionics creeping into certificated airplanes, but it's not a panacea for the high cost of ownership.

Cary

Cary wrote:... The labor of installing any autopilot is pretty extensive, what with servos and testing and whatnot.....

A guy I know is building an experimental modified Pacer (like a Bushmaster), and installed a single-axis TruTrack autopilot.
Looked pretty simple-- an actuator clamps to the control column, and a sprocket on it engages the chains which run down to the aileron cables. Don't recall now, but I think you can drive it with a nav device or else just select a heading to fly.

These units come with an install kit for the specific airplane, along with a STC so any willing A&P IA can install it. Trio is working with a company called the STC Group, LLC and with the FAA's blessing of granting the PMA to produce and the STC is it targeted to be on the market at AirVenture this July.

Looks like they have STC: https://www.trioavionics.com/Certified%20Autopilot.htm

Also looks like a straightforward installation and a reasonable price tag...

Yes they do have STCs for a few A/C now. Install is straight forward and easy. And you can hook it up to your handheld GPS to fly your flight plan. I'll be installing my second unit in a 182 next week.

Just realized they have the entire 172 line and the 175 approved. Would love to see the 170B added to the list as it's identical in every way to the 172 less tail shape and landing gear.

I would be all over this for my 170B!! Maybe? Guess it's time to write to the manufacturer!!

Hawkeyenfo wrote:I would be all over this for my 170B!! Maybe? Guess it's time to write to the manufacturer!!

Just sent an email off to Paul Odum, CEO of the STC Group. Might want to do the same.
They might not realize how many sales might drop just by adding us to the AML based on similarities to the 172.
Knowing that a few of us would commit might help prioritize the paperwork.

Honestly, I'd rather have the GFC-500 for some of it's features but having an STC for the 170 would make the decision for me.
The GFC-500 isn't approved for all 172s like the Trio is. They have 172F and above like Dynon's STC.

Bagarre wrote:

Hawkeyenfo wrote:I would be all over this for my 170B!! Maybe? Guess it's time to write to the manufacturer!!

Just sent an email off to Paul Odum, CEO of the STC Group. Might want to do the same.
They might not realize how many sales might drop just by adding us to the AML based on similarities to the 172.
Knowing that a few of us would commit might help prioritize the paperwork.

Honestly, I'd rather have the GFC-500 for some of it's features but having an STC for the 170 would make the decision for me.
The GFC-500 isn't approved for all 172s like the Trio is. They have 172F and above like Dynon's STC.

Jut out of curiosity, what extra features does h garmin have over the Trio? I dont think th Garmin will allow connection to a handheld will it?

It has a stall nanny for one. That and I think the interface is a little more intuitive.
But, the TRIO has a round gauge option which will fit my panel easier.

Not sure about hooking it up to a handheld tho. That would be nice as I fly off a Garmin Aera.

I just got an email from Paul saying he's willing to do the STC for the 170 but he needs access to a 170 in Oxnard CA (KOXR) for four or so weeks to do the install and get the FAA to sign off. $10k total for STC and installation. I was hoping it would be a paper exercise to add the 170 and I could do the install myself.

So, if you know anyone with a 170 near KOXR that wants an autopilot....

Bagarre wrote:It has a stall nanny for one. That and I think the interface is a little more intuitive.
But, the TRIO has a round gauge option which will fit my panel easier.

Not sure about hooking it up to a handheld tho. That would be nice as I fly off a Garmin Aera.

I just got an email from Paul saying he's willing to do the STC for the 170 but he needs access to a 170 in Oxnard CA (KOXR) for four or so weeks to do the install and get the FAA to sign off. $10k total for STC and installation. I was hoping it would be a paper exercise to add the 170 and I could do the install myself.

So, if you know anyone with a 170 near KOXR that wants an autopilot....

Ok. Good to know. FWIW, the Trio is very simple to use.
Hopefully Paul can get the certification for you. Once my 206 is airborn we'll probably use it for testing to get the 206 on the AML as well.

Correction to my earlier comment.
The Trio also has minimum and maximum airspeed settings as well (stall nanny).