Matronics Email Lists :: View topic - Autopilots for 680's, 680V's, 681's?

Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists

Get Email Distribution Too! FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register

Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in

Autopilots for 680's, 680V's, 681's?

Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Commander-List

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author Message

stratobee

Joined: 28 Dec 2010
Posts: 159
Location: Los Angeles

Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 7:52 am Post subject: Autopilots for 680's, 680V's, 681's?

Out of curiosity, what autopilots are available for these models? I've heard only S-Tec if you want new. But they don't have a stellar reputation for support. Are there any used systems approved?

- The Matronics Commander-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Commander-List

_________________
Adam

swperk

Joined: 18 Feb 2010
Posts: 30

Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 9:29 am Post subject: Autopilots for 680's, 680V's, 681's?

Hi Adam,



As far as I know, the only two autopilots that are approved for the pre-690 turboprops are the S-Tec 65 and the original Honeywell H-14. Rate-based autopilots like the S-Tec are not as precise as attitude-based autopilots, but I still like my S-Tec. I've never had a problem with it in the nine years it's been installed, so I can't speak to the customer service quality of the manufacturer.



Regards,

Stan



--

- The Matronics Commander-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Commander-List

stratobee

Joined: 28 Dec 2010
Posts: 159
Location: Los Angeles

Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 9:35 am Post subject: Re: Autopilots for 680's, 680V's, 681's?

Thanks Stan. I suspected as much. Just checked the price on the S-Tec 65 and it's $40K, so won't be doing that in a hurry….

- The Matronics Commander-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Commander-List

_________________
Adam

swperk

Joined: 18 Feb 2010
Posts: 30

Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 9:50 am Post subject: Autopilots for 680's, 680V's, 681's?

Having said that, I wonder if there is an easy way to get an autopilot for the 690 series approved for the 680V, since they are both under the same type certificate? I've seen the Bendix M4 and the Bendix/King KFC 300 in 690s, and I remember my dad's 680E had an M4C in it, so it might be possible. You'd still have to balance the aquisition, installation, and approval costs with the availability of parts and service (especially for the M4).

--

- The Matronics Commander-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Commander-List

jtaddington(at)verizon.ne
Guest

Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 11:03 am Post subject: Autopilots for 680's, 680V's, 681's?

I had the S-Tec auto pilot installed in my 500A back in 1988. The airplane

was used for the STC and it worked great until a year ago and I have just

not been flying that much so have not gotten it fixed. The thing I like

about the S-Tec is that if you lose the attitude gyro the auto pilot keeps

flying level. If you lose electricity the attitude indicator will keep you

going. My ex-son-in-laws father was riding with a friend that had over 20000

hours and lost the attitude gyro and the plane followed tyro and away from

him and he ended up pulling the wings off. That would not have happened with

the S-Tec. They were in a Cessna 210 with the Cessna autopilot.

Jim 



--

- The Matronics Commander-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Commander-List

john(at)carpenteravionics
Guest

Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 11:12 am Post subject: Autopilots for 680's, 680V's, 681's?

Adam,



Century lists the 680F, FL and FLP on their STC's for the Century 2000. 



S-TEC autopilots for this size of airplane are "okay". It's one of those

scenarios whereas in the absence of an autopilot having the S-TEC is better

than not having one. 



S-TEC has the SYSTEM 65 STC'd for various models (E, T, V, W). Aside from

their newer digital autopilots (which are not approved for this airplane)

I'd say the 65 is the most robust.



The problem with used autopilots is we (avionics shops) must have the STC

data or other "Approved Data" in order to do the installation. When shopping

for a used autopilot you also have to remember there may be a number of

brackets, cables, and/or bridle cables that may be required beyond the main

pieces of equipment. Making sure you capture all the required parts is a big

part of the reason to have the Approved Data.



At the end of the day, if you are considering a used system the best case

scenario is to have a complete airframe that you can salvage all the parts

from, but even then official data for the installation is necessary.



Best regards,

John DenDekker

www.carpenteravionics.com

800.300.0352 Toll Free

615.355.9970 office

 

NOTICE: This electronic transmission (including any referenced or attached

materials) is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18

U.S.C. Sec. 2510-2521, and is PRIVILEGED, WORK PRODUCT, PROPRIETARY and/or

CONFIDENTIAL. It is not intended for transmission to, or receipt by, any

unauthorized person. If you have received this transmission in error you are

PROHIBITED from disclosing, disseminating, reproducing, using or relying

upon it. Please immediately delete it from your system without copying and

notify the sender by return e-mail of the erroneous receipt. Thank you.

 



--

- The Matronics Commander-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Commander-List

jtaddington(at)verizon.ne
Guest

Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:25 pm Post subject: Autopilots for 680's, 680V's, 681's?

You will eat your heart out but I had the S-Tec 65 with flight director, all

the whistles and bells but the yaw damper ( we did not think the Commander

needed it) they installed my used Collins PN101, an ADF, all lighted flight

instruments, for $8000. Of course that was in 1988.



--

- The Matronics Commander-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Commander-List

jtaddington(at)verizon.ne
Guest

Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 9:25 am Post subject: Autopilots for 680's, 680V's, 681's?

I hope you are not mad at me. Jim  

         

  

From: owner-commander-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-commander-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of dongirod(at)bellsouth.net

 Sent: Monday, January 12, 2015 7:51 PM

 To: Aero Commander

 Subject: Re: Autopilots for 680's, 680V's, 681's?  

  

       

I still get mad when I think about it!  

    

   

    

Why not ME?  

      

   

    

Sent from Windows Mail  

    

   

  

      

From: Jim Addington (jtaddington(at)verizon.net)

 Sent: ‎Monday‎, ‎January‎ ‎12‎, ‎2015 ‎5‎:‎25‎ ‎PM

 To: Aero Commander (commander-list(at)matronics.com)  

  

    

   

      

--> Commander-List message posted by: "Jim Addington" <jtaddington(at)verizon.net>

 

 You will eat your heart out but I had the S-Tec 65 with flight director, all

 the whistles and bells but the yaw damper ( we did not think the Commander

 needed it) they installed my used Collins PN101, an ADF, all lighted flight

 instruments, for $8000. Of course that was in 1988.

 

 --

- The Matronics Commander-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Commander-List

Display posts from previous:

	Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Commander-List	All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

Jump to:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum