Hello. Considering/investigating possible install in my 1970 172K. No previous autopilots installed...a basic wing leveler. Anyone with any info/installs? Reading up...can utilize portable GPS signal? Would save dollars... Thanks for any advice.
Tru Trak is getting good recommendations on Cessna's and everything else. Send them an email about the portable GPS question. I'm sure they have an answer. Here's their contact info:
Phone: (479) 751-0250
Fax: (479) 751-3397
Email: custserv@trutrakap.com
Address: 1488 S Old Missouri Rd.
Springdale, AR 72764
OR
PO Box 189
Springdale AR 72765
Scott Sherer
Wright Brothers Master Pilot, FAA Commercial Pilot
Aviation Director, Cessna Owners Organization Forum Moderator and Cessna Owners Author.
Scott Sherer
Wright Brothers Master Pilot, FAA Commercial Pilot
Aviation Director, Cessna Owners Organization Forum Moderator and Cessna Owners Author.
Hi Kent,
Consider this: With Garmin's new announcement just recently of the GPS175 at or below $5000 for a WAAS navigator, I hope you aren't spending more than $2000 for a 400W. I think that the old equipment needs to be really cheap to make it worthwhile. And also remember that regardless of what equipment you choose, it's going to have a hefty installation charge... And, how long with Garmin and Jeppesen support the old equipment?
Scott Sherer
Wright Brothers Master Pilot, FAA Commercial Pilot
Aviation Director, Cessna Owners Organization Forum Moderator and Cessna Owners Author.
I've just installed on my C172N, and am totally in love with it!!! kicking myself for not having it installed sooner, I assisted on the installation (under supervision) TruTrak Includes almost everything you need and very detailed install documentation, very easy installation, was very concerned about the servos and the shop installed them in a day and a half, no issues, just flew 3.4hrs solid IFR, never saw the ground until final, my AP is coupled to Garmin 400, and it even flew the whole approach, landed rested and happy, definitely worth its weight in gold!!!!
Installed the TruTrak in July 2018. Greatest investment I have made for my R172K XP II. I coupled it with a Garmin Aera 660, not IFR certified but a great situational awareness tool and I would trust it if I got into trouble. Very easy to learn all functions and use. My aircraft never had an autopilot and they had no problems with the install. I would highly recommend it!
With the Aera 660 you can couple to the Tru Trak and enter a flight plan in NAV mode. The Tru Trak will fly the flight plan very accurately but not anticipate turns. The Aera is a portable device hence the no IFR certification. With this configuration it is not GPSS but only GPS Nav. Although it does not anticipate upcoming turns it sure does perform very smoothly after hitting a way point. I have been 180 degrees from a point, put in a direct to and made a nice smooth turn, 180, and intercepted the magenta line. Again not a WAAS or GPSS IFR certified device but a GREAT situational awareness tool.
You should not need any terrain information for the autopilot. Save a few bucks.
Scott Sherer
Wright Brothers Master Pilot, FAA Commercial Pilot
Aviation Director, Cessna Owners Organization Forum Moderator and Cessna Owners Author.
Scott Sherer
Wright Brothers Master Pilot, FAA Commercial Pilot
Aviation Director, Cessna Owners Organization Forum Moderator and Cessna Owners Author.
Comments
Tru Trak is getting good recommendations on Cessna's and everything else. Send them an email about the portable GPS question. I'm sure they have an answer. Here's their contact info:
Phone: (479) 751-0250
Fax: (479) 751-3397
Email: custserv@trutrakap.com
Address: 1488 S Old Missouri Rd.
Springdale, AR 72764
OR
PO Box 189
Springdale AR 72765
Scott Sherer
Wright Brothers Master Pilot, FAA Commercial Pilot
Aviation Director, Cessna Owners Organization Forum Moderator and Cessna Owners Author.
Need help? Let me know!
Thank you! Happy Easter
Email sent
Thanks Kent!
Scott Sherer
Wright Brothers Master Pilot, FAA Commercial Pilot
Aviation Director, Cessna Owners Organization Forum Moderator and Cessna Owners Author.
Need help? Let me know!
Considering a used Garmin 400W to drive the autopilot
Hi Kent,
Consider this: With Garmin's new announcement just recently of the GPS175 at or below $5000 for a WAAS navigator, I hope you aren't spending more than $2000 for a 400W. I think that the old equipment needs to be really cheap to make it worthwhile. And also remember that regardless of what equipment you choose, it's going to have a hefty installation charge... And, how long with Garmin and Jeppesen support the old equipment?
Scott Sherer
Wright Brothers Master Pilot, FAA Commercial Pilot
Aviation Director, Cessna Owners Organization Forum Moderator and Cessna Owners Author.
Need help? Let me know!
Good point. I’ll talk to the shop.
I've just installed on my C172N, and am totally in love with it!!! kicking myself for not having it installed sooner, I assisted on the installation (under supervision) TruTrak Includes almost everything you need and very detailed install documentation, very easy installation, was very concerned about the servos and the shop installed them in a day and a half, no issues, just flew 3.4hrs solid IFR, never saw the ground until final, my AP is coupled to Garmin 400, and it even flew the whole approach, landed rested and happy, definitely worth its weight in gold!!!!
GREAT to hear!! I have the same set up planned, Garmin 400W and the Vision autopilot. What shop/where are you located? Thanks!!!
Installed the TruTrak in July 2018. Greatest investment I have made for my R172K XP II. I coupled it with a Garmin Aera 660, not IFR certified but a great situational awareness tool and I would trust it if I got into trouble. Very easy to learn all functions and use. My aircraft never had an autopilot and they had no problems with the install. I would highly recommend it!
S. Tritt
Private Pilot
Ohio
I inquired about portable GPS as source. No GPS steering? Correct?
With the Aera 660 you can couple to the Tru Trak and enter a flight plan in NAV mode. The Tru Trak will fly the flight plan very accurately but not anticipate turns. The Aera is a portable device hence the no IFR certification. With this configuration it is not GPSS but only GPS Nav. Although it does not anticipate upcoming turns it sure does perform very smoothly after hitting a way point. I have been 180 degrees from a point, put in a direct to and made a nice smooth turn, 180, and intercepted the magenta line. Again not a WAAS or GPSS IFR certified device but a GREAT situational awareness tool.
S. Tritt
Private Pilot
Ohio
Thanks. Considered portable source, but decided to go wass gps.
Scheduled my install June 3 start date. What have been the install times for the Vision? 4 weeks I was told...40 hours of shop labor.
Scott
With the Garmin 400W, do I need a terrain card? The unit does have the database card. Thanks
You should not need any terrain information for the autopilot.
Save a few bucks.
Scott Sherer
Wright Brothers Master Pilot, FAA Commercial Pilot
Aviation Director, Cessna Owners Organization Forum Moderator and Cessna Owners Author.
Need help? Let me know!
Thanks. That is what I gleaned from other forums/advice. I don’t plan on flying low enough to encounter any new cell towers! Lol
Good plan, lol
Scott Sherer
Wright Brothers Master Pilot, FAA Commercial Pilot
Aviation Director, Cessna Owners Organization Forum Moderator and Cessna Owners Author.
Need help? Let me know!