An autopilot can be the most complex, costly and frustrating retrofit you can make to an aging aircraft. You might tame the dragon with careful pre-installation planning, which includes buying the right system and selecting a competent shop to put it in. Unfortunately that doesn’t always happen and it’s a setup for serious aggravation.
We’ve had some requests for an autopilot planning article, so if you’ve been thinking of pulling the trigger on an upgrade this report is for you. Ahead of an upcoming autopilot system buyer’s guide, here we’ll offer some shop-level guidance and tips to consider as you noodle this labor-intensive upgrade.