Autopilot Opportunity

[hharney]

submitted !!!!!

[mshac]

I'm pretty satisfied with my Gensys/S-Tec 60-2, but I put my name on the list anyway just in case.

[GAdams]

Hi Guys, Girls, I checked today to see how many of us have signed up. So far 17. BK says we need to get to 60. So please if you haven't put your name in please do. It is not a commitment of course just a survey.
I understand there is a forum on facebook too. I'm not a Facebook guy so could I ask one of you to copy the link and post it there as well.
A modern autopilot option may breath some additional life into our airplanes and make them more valuable down the road. Our airplanes are a good value for the bucks. One more option might bring some new owners to our little niche we have.
A big Thank You to all who have completed the survey so far.

[CenterlineT]

Done. Thanks for your efforts.

[GAdams]

We have produce just 21 replies as interested parties to the Bendix King CRUZ 100 autopilot. Bendix will not discuss an STC for the Skymaster at this time. The reason: not enough interest and therefore not commercially viable.

I thought we had a path forward but we are short by 2/3 of what they need.

A big Thank you to all of those that participated.

[kbecker]

Well, that sucks because my 400A needs to be replaced.

[patrolpilot]

So, I guess that leaves the GenesysAerosystems, aka STEC?

My 400A is still working, thanks to Auto Pilots Central. When I was last there, I asked what was next when it quit and was told the 55X. The 2021 MSRP was $21K just for the A/P. So who knows, maybe the 400A will outlast me.

[rmorris]

I understand volumes needed for commercial viability, but I think mfgs sometimes overlook the great marketing they are missing by skipping our model.
I can't land at any airport, anywhere, without people wanting to come up and see the BumbleBee. Avidyne, AeroLED, and Garmin with the G5s get tons of positive exposure. It's amplified even more by the fact that at OSH and SNF the curious who pop over for a look are even greater numbers.
I can (mostly) get the Navomatic to fly the G5 heading bug, but it would be so much safer to have a current tech a/p... and the mfg who steps up, will be able to get a lot a free press/marketing.

That being said, I was told by numerous mfgs of the newer age a/p that offer them at reasonable cost: the FAA won't let us certify twins, the goal was to offer these low cost models to singles and keep the twins, jets, etc all paying up for the higher margin versions. Market segmentation.

But now I see that Garmin has certified a twin for the DFC500. With any luck, someone will be able to get a 337 field approval on that basis and then we can all fly safer.