Folks, we need to fortify the front against Garmin (Autopilot)

[mshac]

Originally Posted by patrolpilot

PortaPilot seems a reach. My airplane isn't that tough to fly, even great distances.

I flew without an autopilot for the first many years of having my license. I flew Cessna 150, 172, 310 and more from Texas to California and Florida, hand flown every mile.

I used to think less of pilots who used autopilots. I eventually bought a few singles and two twins without (working) APs and always considered myself a better pilot for not needing one. Then I flew 135 and 121, and started to see the benefit of having a good AP. I still liked not having one when I flew GA aircraft, just to stay sharp.

Then I bought my first Bonanza with an AP in great working condition. I could trust it to hold an altitude, steer a course, or hold a heading. I could even trust it to fly a specific VS and capture an altitude. I could hit "direct-to" and I knew the plane would take me there. I am now sold on having an AP in my GA airplane!

My P337H has the STEC 60-2 AP with the ST360 preselect module, and life is great, but I don't think I'm as sharp as I was before when hand-flying was the only choice.

Be happy with what you have and where you are. We are truly blessed to be Skymaster owners.

[YankeeClipper]

I am not yet an experienced pilot, but my current CFI who has many thousands of hours in small jets (135) has advised me that flying IMC alone (even with lots of experience) with a navomatic 400 might be one of my least risk averse moments. That task management in suddenly worsening IMC could pile up dangerously, and a failed or inaccurate AP could spell real trouble in that moment.

A 400a, in good rig, would be another story, since they are better to begin with (or so we've both read/heard), and still serviceable. Even AP Central said they won't take the 400 aught anymore.

Much as I'd love to be happy with mine, I have learned to heed his advice. And when Genesys is saying they probably can't even get inventory for the newer model (that I can't afford), the last option we have, I get even more concerned.