The S-TEC Autopilot Packaging Philosophy (how they fit in the instrument panel) It is alsothe foundation of the S-TEC Upgrade/Trade-In program that gives an autopilot buyer the option of buying a systemtoday and upgrading it to a system with more features and functions later. Thiscommonality gives the aircraft owner significant advantages in serviceability, reliability, and overall cost. The S-TEC Autopilot Building Block Design PhilosophyĪll S-TEC autopilot systems use hardware, servos, and sensors common throughout the product line. In addition, since a consistent turn rate requires a lower bank angle at lowerairspeeds, rate autopilots often provide better aircraft turn control at low airspeed. Performance - Because they do not tumble, rate gyros will function in any attitude and are not damaged or wornexcessively by unusual attitudes. The S-TEC pitch axis rate sensor, an accelerometer, has an MTBF of greater than 20,000 hrs. Rate gyros continue to function with worn bearings to a high level of performance until the spin motorfails. Bearing wear in an attitude gyro causes precession which is reflected in the performance of theautopilot. Gyros often suffer performance degradation over a period of time due tobearing wear. Reliability isnot always measured by total failure. An S-TEC autopilot turn coordinator rotor spins at about1/3rd the speed of the rotor in an attitude gyro and therefore has a much longer MTBF, over 8000 hrs. Reliability - Rate gyros are inherently very reliable. For this reason, pilotsare instructed to use the Turn & Bank or Turn Coordinator instrument to level the wings during recoveries from anunusual attitude. A Rate Gyro will not tumble due to unusual attitudes.
If either the vacuum system or attitude gyro fails, or its performance is degraded, the turn coordinator and theautopilot are completely unaffected. Safety The electric turn coordinator rate gyro does not depend upon the aircraft vacuum system or attitudegyro. In General Aviation singles, light twins, and turboprops, rate systems have a number of significant advantages overattitude systems that rely on artificial horizons for roll and pitch reference. Once you have selected an autopilot, the next step is to contact a Meggitt / S-TEC dealer to get a quotation for aninstalled price which will include the installation kit. Review the specific differences between the autopilots which fit your functional requirements, including thepackaging variations which impact your instrument panel requirements.Ĥ. (Note: Unless otherwise noted, prices do not includeinstallation kits.)ģ. Wehave also included non-installed Manufacturers Suggested Retail Prices so you can make the valuejudgements required in deciding which system to install. Review the S-TEC autopilot systems Meggitt / S-TEC offers for the features and functions you want. The information which follows will introduce you to the S-TEC autopilot product line allowing you to choose theautopilot system which is best for you and your aircraft.Ģ. 11Ī Guide to Purchasing Your S-TEC Autopilot. The S-TEC Autopilot Packaging Philosophy. The S-TEC Autopilot Building Block Design Philosophy. Garmin expects the STC to be complete September and to encompass the same aircraft model list (AML) that contains over 650 aircraft.How To Use This Selection Guide. The GAD 29B is expected to be available in September.Īdditionally, Garmin is working on an amendment to the existing G5 supplemental type certification (STC) that allows certificated aircraft owners to mount the G5 electronic flight instrument flush with their aircraft instrument panel. Garmin expects to expand third-party autopilot compatibility for the G5 electronic flight instrument in the future. Third-party autopilot support is expected to include the following autopilots: Pilots can simply select GPSS on the G5 and heading mode on the autopilot and the autopilot will fly smooth intercepts, holding patterns, procedure turns and more. Additionally, when interfaced with a GTN 650/750 or GNS 430W/530W, the G5 can provide GPSS roll steering navigation from the navigator to the autopilot. With a compatible navigation source, the G5 can also interface with select autopilots for coupled flight in heading and navigation modes. Utilizing the new GAD 29B adapter, the G5 directional gyro (DG)/horizontal situation indicator (HSI) can interface with a variety of autopilots to provide heading and course error to drive the autopilot. Garmin is pleased to announce the G5 electronic flight instrument will soon be compatible with a wide-range of third-party autopilots available on the market.