Much like low-cost EFIS and other gee-whiz technology thats been available in the non-certified aircraft market, pilots of experimentals have long enjoyed autopilot systems chock-full of advanced features. But with few exceptions, the retrofit autopilot market-and Im talking about systems for modest entry-level Part 23 airplanes-has been stuck with systems carrying technology left over from the early 1990s, but with 2016 price tags. Ill be direct: While the S-Tec autopilot line (now offered by Genesis Aerosystems) has proven reliable, I think buyers expect more modern features than the venerable System 30 and System 55X (to name two popular systems) offer.
Andrew Barker, the CEO of autopilot manufacturer TruTrak Flight Systems, sure hopes so, and so do I. More on TruTrak in a minute. I started thinking about aging autopilot technology while getting beat up in IMC halfway across Lake Michigan on the way to this year’s AirVenture at Oshkosh.
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Editor in Chief Larry Anglisano has been a staple at Aviation Consumer since 1995. An active land, sea and glider pilot, Larry has over 30 years’ experience as an avionics repairman and flight test pilot. He’s the editorial director overseeing sister publications Aviation Safety magazine, IFR magazine and is a regular contributor to KITPLANES magazine with his Avionics Bootcamp column.
