Navomatic 400
 

Hello ALL.
I was sent replies about shops that still work on the 400 auto pilot. I deleted them by mistake. Please reply again. I did contacted Autopilot Central in Tulsa. They replied saying they no longer supported the 400?? They could bench check mine but if parts are needed they may not be available. So that why I need other shops information. The replies I received the other day mentioned a shop in Illinois or Indiana? Which are closer that Tulsa.
Thanks.
Regards.
BILLS
'65 C337 owner, pilot and A&P

1965 model 400 navomatic-HELP, HELP, HELP
 

TO ALL.
Hello I've sent my 1965 model 400 Navomatic to an auto-pilot shop for repair. HERE'S the thing. My servo (actuators) are shot!! I'm asking if anyone has older model servos that they are willing to sell, that maybe held on to when they had their 400 replaced with newer auto-pilots? I'm looking for PA 511A part numbers 29510-0001 and 29510-0401! I appreciate your attention.
Regards,
BILLS
'65 C337, owner, pilot, A&P

Bill:

I will do you one better. I just removed my straight 400 including the computer, controller and servos and will give you the servos - or everything for that matter. The system worked but hunted really bad. Even if they dont work properly, maybe between all of them they would have the parts to make them work???

I will check the part numbers, but since mine is a '66 I am assuming they are the same items.

Send me a pm with your address and I will package them up over the weekend and ship them off to you. Let me know if you just want the servos or if you want everything.

Just curious. What autopilot shop? Autopilots central? What’s the definition of “shot”? (Details) Mine are very stiff with a lot of resistance....

If they can’t service the servos anymore, forces the decision about keeping current cessna 400 system vs moving on.

Navomatic 400
 

WSLADE2.
The shop is Mayday autopilot/avionics, Grand Rapids, MI. SHOT means the drive transistors? and both electric motors have to be send out for rebuild at $2500-$2800 each! Also not really related both AI and DG have to be overhauled. The shop was quoting Mid-continent about $5500 for those, although I found a shop, basically across the street from Mid-continent that will overhaul both for about $1200 AQI is the name. I had Mayday send the instruments to AQI. What started this whole ordeal, I had sent Mayday my original 400 and a newer 400(not sure the year-but around a 1967 model) that I bought from a SOAPA member. The tech called me yesterday and told me that the two 400 I sent him are not compatible, hoping he could use parts from both to build-up one. I told him that Autopilot Central had quoted me $1700 each for the servo rebuild, and he's going to call them on Monday? A member just wrote to tell me he removed his 400 and is willing to GIVE me his components, arranging shipping as we speak!!! As for moving on that's your decision, but I'm tell you if your 400 is working, I'D KEEP IT, until the TRU-TRAC generation comes to Skymaster!
Hope this info helps.
Regards, BILLS

Thank you!! That is extremely helpful information. My control head (resolver) won't allow the course direction to turn and just turning on the autopilot makes it go immediately into 30 degree bank. My servos were almost locking my controls and had to disconnect them to give the controls safe movement without wrestling them. So I know my servos and control head need overhaul (Autopilots Central wasn't sure they could do anything with control head when I spoke to them over phone), and might as well count on panel instruments overhaul. Then heaven forbid central computer work and chasing wiring. That's a big chunk of a new system, specifically S-tec. 337 not certified on the new garmin but could request and wait. Or wait for others as you mentioned.
The good news you report is sounds like service is still available for the straight 400. I did buy a system out of a 310 that has a lot of similar parts.

STEC 55x
 

Data point: spring 2021: Major Florida avionics shop quoted me $39,000 to install STEC 55x with auto trim.

We need to keep hounding Garmin for the gfc500.
Please garmin?

"We need to keep hounding Garmin for the gfc500.
Please garmin?"

Aye.

Garmin
 

About every 6 months I send Garmin a note. I keep see them developing STC's for aircraft types and fleets smaller and less expensive than ours - and I make sure I point this out. If people keep registering their interest for their new digital APs, we may get some action.

Jeff

Yeah. I'm probably overdue to send them a nag myself.

That is much the same from the two independent shops I've checked with.

Garmin, my avionics guy, asked his Garmin friend and was told the C337 wasn't going to happen, not enough airframes to justify the certification expense.

I'm hounding :-)
Along with the EIS TXI

navomatic 400
 

WSLADE2.
An update, I had to replace my AI and DG instruments due to a 4-6 week back-order on the bearings, The shop offered new instruments, and yes compatible replacements for the 400 autopilot, for $300 over the overhaul! Still having servo problems, having gifted servos from a SOAPA member checked by Mayday Avionics. If these don't work I'll have to go with (hopefully) serviceable servos from Preferred Airparts at $1700 for both. Or the $2500-$2800 rebuild per servo? I thought I found a new autopilot, S-Tech 3100, but it's not authorized for the C337! I'll keep you updated, and thanks for your support.
Regards.
BILLS

we have 4 autopilot systems we have removed over the years. Ill see if the boss wants to part with them
Kim

Thanks for the updates!
I haven’t dug into my autopilot yet as working on hydraulic issues
The s tec numbers are something of a stunner
But, I have kept my 182 and it has s tec system 50. Good wing leveler and will track course after lining things up. Not as capable as the 55 but point is s tec may have some less pricey alternatives....
But still “stout-ish” as will involve new install.

I've got an S-Tec 60-2 in my P-model, fully coupled, with GPSS steering, electric trim, and an Altitude/VS preselect indicator. S-Tec will gladly sell you a new one today, and its got all the right paperwork.

You don't have to wait on Garmin to get a new, modern AP in your Skymaster.

stec
 

The problem is that for us early model owners (pre D) there are only 3 stec systems STC'd for us......the 40, 50 and 65. You guys with the new models are approved for all of them except for the 3100. The system 65 is outrageously priced and you have to find a place for the roll and pitch computers. I cant imagine that would be a viable installation at all unless you are dropping the money for a brand new Reilly.

I would still like to think (dream) that there will be a lower cost option for us, but being realistic about it tells me that it will probably remain a dream.

My avionics guy said would be around $22k to $24k for a system 50. $13.5k for the unit and the rest installation.

Navomatic 400
 

Hello ALL.
Update on my navomatic 400 challenges. Was called by the Mayday Avionics, which is repairing my 400, saying the autopilot was fixed!!! YEA!! Shipping it out next week. I'D LIKE TO PUBLICLY THANK TOM M FOR DONATING his servos, which was the major hang-up for repairing my system. Although it took quite a while to get my autopilot fixed I'm finally on the path to re-installing my system. I think I have all the cabling the previous owner CUT OUT so I'm soldiering them back together. I have to wait till I have the autopilot components to finish that process. The shop charged a reasonable price for the repairs, $2300. I figure about another $1000 for the flight test/rigging. I did have to purchase new AI and DG due to a back order of the bearings for those instruments. AQI avionics which I sent the instruments to offered to sell me NEW instruments for $1500 which is only $300 over the cost of the overhaul. FYI, Mid-Continent quoted $5100 to overhaul the instruments. The new AI is color coded with 5 degree pitch increments. I'm planning on installing a G5 digital AI in my six pack and install the new steam gauge AI, which drives the 400, on the right panel.
Thanks again, Tom M.
Regards.
BILLS

That is great! They were headed for the landfill, so I am glad you were able to use them. Seems like a reasonable cost to get the system up and running. On our own we are of limited resources, but a group like this makes owning these planes much more bearable.