Backcountry Pilot • Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

Technical and practical discussion about specific aircraft types such as Cessna 180, Maule M7, et al. Please read and search carefully before posting, as many popular topics have already been discussed.
Post a reply
45 posts • Page 2 of 3 • 1, 2, 3
Sat Feb 01, 2020 8:14 am

Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

Have been calling around shops getting quotes on autopilots. Mission is 4-5 500+ mile round trips per year otherwise local stuff. I do not fly enough to confidently go to a destination forecasted as low IFR but like the idea of an autopilot backing me up in the event of a worse-than-forecast situation. Tru-trak seems to fit the bill as a 375 will be basically all my navigation(no ILS). All the shops around here poo poo it and say I need a GFC-500. Buyer's remorse would suck but do not really want $20k in an autopilot and the G5 is not going to look great in the wonky 1975 A185F panel. Any recommendations on which to do or aware of a shop close to NC that will not resent installing one?
IMG_1508.jpg
IMG_1508.jpg (93.87 KiB) Viewed 2284 times
frstnflt offline
User avatar
Posts: 108
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2019 4:07 am
Location: Mooresville
Aircraft: Cessna 185
top
Sat Feb 01, 2020 10:24 am

Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

frstnflt wrote:Have been calling around shops getting quotes on autopilots. Mission is 4-5 500+ mile round trips per year otherwise local stuff. I do not fly enough to confidently go to a destination forecasted as low IFR but like the idea of an autopilot backing me up in the event of a worse-than-forecast situation. Tru-trak seems to fit the bill as a 375 will be basically all my navigation(no ILS). All the shops around here poo poo it and say I need a GFC-500. Buyer's remorse would suck but do not really want $20k in an autopilot and the G5 is not going to look great in the wonky 1975 A185F panel. Any recommendations on which to do or aware of a shop close to NC that will not resent installing one?


For your mission, I think you'd be fine with the TruTrak. We put it in our 182 last year and it fits the bill for my type of flying. Being able to take my hands off for a bit, relax, or a backup when you need to lighten your workload in the cockpit.

It's hooked to our 650 and has worked great out of the box. I'm sure it would be just fine with the 375 you have. Auto trim would be nice, but I got used to it after a couple of flights.
IMG_2514.jpg
sticknrudder offline
User avatar
Posts: 182
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:39 am
Location: San Jose
Aircraft: 7GCBC
C182
J-3
top
Sat Feb 01, 2020 4:44 pm

Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

I wonder how the Tru-Trak will work with the soon to be released AV-30 buy Uavionix DG. I like that they have a model that will fit into a 3" hole
qmdv offline
User avatar
Posts: 3633
Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2006 10:22 pm
Location: Payette
FindMeSpot URL: http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... I5tqEOk0rc
Aircraft: Cessna 182
top
Wed Feb 05, 2020 3:29 am

Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

I'm finishing up a trutrack install right now. Also installing 2 G5's and integrating with a Garmin 650.

I can answer questions if you have any.

Tim
behindpropellers offline
Posts: 135
Joined: Wed Mar 25, 2009 3:43 pm
Location: Chippewa Lake
Aircraft: C206 & Cub
top
Wed Feb 05, 2020 9:53 am

Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

onefitty wrote:...The GFC500 is in another league though, and if your plane is on the AML, I recommend spending the additional $$. Garmin quality and warranty is hard to beat, plus the added assurance of fixed price repair for the usable life of the product :D


Looks like the TruTrak is in the $5K (USD) range for the parts.
What's the price for the Garmin GFC500?
hotrod180 offline
Supporter
User avatar
Posts: 10534
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 11:47 pm
Location: Port Townsend, WA
Cessna Skywagon -- accept no substitute!
top
Wed Feb 05, 2020 6:22 pm

Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

I’ve got one that was way less than 5 grand....


Otto Pilot off....



IMG_4168.jpg






Otto Pilot on....

IMG_4167.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Flying Dave offline
User avatar
Posts: 210
Joined: Sat Feb 24, 2018 6:00 pm
Location: Mooresville NC
Aircraft: Aviat Husky
top
Wed Feb 05, 2020 7:35 pm

Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

Flying Dave wrote:I’ve got one that was way less than 5 grand....


Otto Pilot off....



IMG_4168.jpg






Otto Pilot on....
LOVE IT DAVE!
IMG_4167.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
frstnflt offline
User avatar
Posts: 108
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2019 4:07 am
Location: Mooresville
Aircraft: Cessna 185
top
Wed Feb 05, 2020 11:05 pm

Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

So Dave,

Who takes responsibility for blowing (up) Otto?!?!?!
Tangogawd offline
User avatar
Posts: 92
Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2012 12:06 am
Location: Wasilla
Aircraft: '62 C-180E
'69 7GCBC
top
Thu Feb 06, 2020 7:24 am

Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

I’m not certain but for some reason Otto gets Christmas cards every year from someone named Elaine Dickinson...
Flying Dave offline
User avatar
Posts: 210
Joined: Sat Feb 24, 2018 6:00 pm
Location: Mooresville NC
Aircraft: Aviat Husky
top
Thu Feb 06, 2020 3:37 pm

Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

hotrod180 wrote:
onefitty wrote:...The GFC500 is in another league though, and if your plane is on the AML, I recommend spending the additional $$. Garmin quality and warranty is hard to beat, plus the added assurance of fixed price repair for the usable life of the product :D


Looks like the TruTrak is in the $5K (USD) range for the parts.
What's the price for the Garmin GFC500?


More than the Tru Trak for sure, depending on the specific aircraft, around $9.5k with optional auto and manual electric pitch trim, or up around $12k if you want to add a yaw damper

I've flown the Tru Trak, Trio and GFC500 extensively in many different airframes, mainly flight testing after installations. I've installed a Tru Trak in my C177 and love it, it's a great autopilot and can't be beat for the $$, but it does have some limitations and we always explain these carefully to customers so their expectations are based on reality. The Tru Trak is really very good, but it doesn't have pitch trim option and requires the pilot to actively keep it in trim or 'help' the AP with any climb and descent. Some aircraft require a lot more help than others, the pitch servo is not capable of, or able to maintain altitude, or a climb or descent without frequent manually trimming. It's not a bad thing at all, it's just that you get what you pay for and you can't expect the Tru Trak to perform like a legacy AP or a new Garmin AP

The GFC500 is totally rock solid in every installation I've flown. The Tru Track performs well, but does have some issues coping with turbulence, maintaining altitude in turns etc and will occasionally disconnect in significant turbulence. The Trio performs similar to the Tru Trak, but I've lost a lot of money on each Trio installation to date and can't really recommend them. From an installers point of view, they are a pain in the ass, and as we've found out, the STC'd kit may not physically fit some S/N airframes it's approved for. It's more than a little frustrating to fund Trio's R and D trying to get something to fit while the customer will only pay for the unrealistically low labor allowance the manufacturers claim it can be done in. And each installation has been back for warranty work or adjustments. The Tru Trak and Garmin just work

If you want a rock solid autopilot that just works 100% of the time and gives you confidence to fly in IMC frequently, go the Garmin. If you want a good autopilot that will be cost effective and reliable and are prepared to actively watch over it (perhaps nervously at times when you're getting a hammering!) by all means chose a Tru Trak. I love my Tru Trak and would happily install one again in my personal plane

Some other advice for what it's worth.. if you already have an old or legacy 2 axis autopilot installed, consider spending the money fixing it rather than replacing. But choose your shop carefully and let them fly it, if they can, to get it tweaked just right. It may take half a dozen flights, but when these older AP's are sorted, they generally work very well. I haven't met one yet that we haven't been able to fix and get it performing well, but set a budget :D
onefitty offline
Posts: 233
Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2012 12:39 pm
Location: Here
top
Thu Feb 06, 2020 4:53 pm

Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

nice informed review thanks. I've heard you can not do heading without vertical hold or guidance.
1. Is that true?
2. If it is, is it a pain?
frstnflt offline
User avatar
Posts: 108
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2019 4:07 am
Location: Mooresville
Aircraft: Cessna 185
top
Mon Feb 10, 2020 5:34 am

Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

frstnflt wrote:Have been calling around shops getting quotes on autopilots. Mission is 4-5 500+ mile round trips per year otherwise local stuff. I do not fly enough to confidently go to a destination forecasted as low IFR but like the idea of an autopilot backing me up in the event of a worse-than-forecast situation. Tru-trak seems to fit the bill as a 375 will be basically all my navigation(no ILS). All the shops around here poo poo it and say I need a GFC-500. Buyer's remorse would suck but do not really want $20k in an autopilot and the G5 is not going to look great in the wonky 1975 A185F panel. Any recommendations on which to do or aware of a shop close to NC that will not resent installing one?



Try Justin Dix up at south Boston airport, he does good avionics work, very methodical, plus can do Garmin work if you wish. My plane is at person county/roxboro and just about everyone here uses him, and some of these guys are very anal. Also I know that Justin has the tru-Trak in his own plane
Mantoga offline
User avatar
Posts: 86
Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2019 5:15 pm
Location: Durham
Aircraft: C-182J
top
Mon Feb 10, 2020 7:36 pm

Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

Just to chime in with my experience with the Tru-Track autopilot. I just installed one this weekend on my buddy's Cessna 162. Lets see, started at around 10:00 am with doughnuts and finished the install by 4:00pm. Everything fit perfectly. Had more issues safetying the servo mounting bolts than anything. I am not the best at safety wire in really tight spaces. It works just fine, mated up to the G3 with a pre-made cable.

As for the trimming part. Well even STEC's, a lot more money, need trimming to help out the autopilot. 185's and pretty much anything with the all triming stabilizer do not tend to have an electric trim option (need a lot of force). So you need to help out the autopilot when the servo reaches its torque limit. I never found that to be much of a detractor. For the money, it is a really fine system with decent engineering and documentation.
dogpilot offline
Took ball and went home
Posts: 902
Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2012 10:20 pm
Aircraft: Cessna 206H Amphib, Caravan 675 Amphib
top
Mon Feb 10, 2020 8:00 pm

Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

dogpilot wrote:Just to chime in with my experience with the Tru-Track autopilot. I just installed one this weekend on my buddy's Cessna 162. Lets see, started at around 10:00 am with doughnuts and finished the install by 4:00pm. Everything fit perfectly. Had more issues safetying the servo mounting bolts than anything. I am not the best at safety wire in really tight spaces. It works just fine, mated up to the G3 with a pre-made cable.

As for the trimming part. Well even STEC's, a lot more money, need trimming to help out the autopilot. 185's and pretty much anything with the all triming stabilizer do not tend to have an electric trim option (need a lot of force). So you need to help out the autopilot when the servo reaches its torque limit. I never found that to be much of a detractor. For the money, it is a really fine system with decent engineering and documentation.
Does the tru trak use a push pull rod or bridle cables?
A1Skinner offline
Supporter
User avatar
Posts: 5186
Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2012 11:38 am
Location: Eaglesham
FindMeSpot URL: [url:1vzmrq4a]http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0az97SSJm2Ky58iEMJLqgaAQvVxMnGp6G[/url:1vzmrq4a]
Aircraft: Cessna P206A, AT402/502/602
top
Mon Feb 10, 2020 8:34 pm

Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

In this install, push rods. Easy squeeze.
dogpilot offline
Took ball and went home
Posts: 902
Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2012 10:20 pm
Aircraft: Cessna 206H Amphib, Caravan 675 Amphib
top
Mon Feb 10, 2020 9:13 pm

Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

dogpilot wrote:In this install, push rods. Easy squeeze.
Right on. I do like them over cables.
A1Skinner offline
Supporter
User avatar
Posts: 5186
Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2012 11:38 am
Location: Eaglesham
FindMeSpot URL: [url:1vzmrq4a]http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0az97SSJm2Ky58iEMJLqgaAQvVxMnGp6G[/url:1vzmrq4a]
Aircraft: Cessna P206A, AT402/502/602
top
Fri Feb 21, 2020 5:54 am

Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

Was booked to get a Trutrak but looks like not compatible with Roberston STOL.
Is the GFC 500 compatible?
Do any others currently available work?
frstnflt offline
User avatar
Posts: 108
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2019 4:07 am
Location: Mooresville
Aircraft: Cessna 185
top
Fri Feb 21, 2020 6:35 am

Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

I agree in the Trio. Installed one a year ago in my 185 and its been a frustrating endeavor to get it working properly.
As of now its working very well but took a lot of phone calls and tweaking.
The only advantage is that it has A/S hold which works well in a climb as there is little need to do any trimming on the way up.
a3holerman offline
User avatar
Posts: 278
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2015 7:29 am
Location: Cape Cod
Aircraft: Cessna 185
top
Fri Feb 21, 2020 1:28 pm

Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

We are having issues with the Trio in my buddies 172m. It hunts for the track or course. Not extreme but enough to be noticeable. Is that the problem you were having and if so what did you do?
Moss farmer offline
User avatar
Posts: 101
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 5:44 pm
Location: Enumclaw
Aircraft: Cessna 1963 Cessna 182f
top
Fri Feb 21, 2020 2:25 pm

Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot Approved for C-180,182,185

I have a Trio in my 185 and indeed it seems to take a lot of tweaking to get it right.
It does work well now but I have made numerous phone calls both the STC group who got the STC and Trio themselves.
They give you initial settings but in my case the were way off from what I wound up with.

Tom
a3holerman offline
User avatar
Posts: 278
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2015 7:29 am
Location: Cape Cod
Aircraft: Cessna 185
top

DISPLAY OPTIONS

PreviousNext
Post a reply
45 posts • Page 2 of 3 • 1, 2, 3
Return to Aircraft Types

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests

Latest Features

Latest Knowledge Base