Autopilot upgrade

[YankeeClipper]

Tune in next week when our heroes hear an entirely different story from exactly the same sources...

All quasi humor aside, thank you for looking into this. I've contacted them both as well several times and while I do get a different story each time, it does seem that progress marches slowly slowly forward. At least for Garmin. STEC has been saying for quite some time now that they are just not interested. For what it's worth I'm not that interested in them either, so the feeling is mutual.

Anyway, back to Garmin, it does seem as though the path the progress involves constant nagging. It might be my turn again in 6 months.

[YankeeClipper]

Anyone heard any updates? Would be a pity if these aircraft were relegated to VFR or light IFR.

[Galvine]

I also haven’t heard anymore.

I do need an AP upgrade

Either STEC 55X now or keep waiting

Greg

[YankeeClipper]

Just got off the phone with Garmin.

They are currently in S/W dev for the Skymaster. No physical implementation yet. Once they get to the H/W stage they estimate about 1-2 years what with further R&D and FAA to get through.

I asked if they would usually see an actual product materialize (eventually) once they've gotten to the development phase they are currently in. He said that unless they just can't make it work right or the FAA won't cooperate it usually does materialize. Given that other aftermarket APs have, I see no reason why Garmin couldn't. They have multiple products which operate at multiple levels of servo size/strength.

[Galvine]

Thanks for calling
I was sure hoping ready for installation in 2026. Looks like exactly that, wishful Thinking

[YankeeClipper]

Might be a little wishful, perhaps. I'm also wishful that it will be less than an STEC 55x, especially since they weren't making any more parts for it last I spoke with those folks. It might even be discontinued at this point.

There was talk a while back about deposits for 3100s, but if that has been certified for our planes Genesys is awful coy about it.

Fingers crossed for the 600. Would have preferred attitude-based, but who knows--maybe the newer software will resolve that. And having one fewer point of failure isn't a bad thing. Could possibly lose the vacuum pump at that point ... I think.

[wslade2]

Thanks for the calls to Garmin. I went by every autopilot booth at Oshkosh this last '24 summer. Tried to not say anything here for fear of perpetuating rumors. But I'll speak up anyway.

Nil results across the board except:

1) STEC would take a deposit for the 55x at the show and energetically said it still was in production. They feel there is 5 more years of life left in the product and weren't planning on cancellation anytime soon. 3100, no go.

2) Garmin acknowledged interest in 337 airframe. Used the phrase "it's in the sandbox" (whatever that means). However they were more focused on airframes that could generate higher revenue/higher numbers. In particular, at the time, alot of focus on beefing up the citation fleet. On a positive note however, it is their plan to eventually get the GFC certified across all GA models and are committed to "full" GA buildout eventually.

Trio was a little intrigued in 337 airframe due to inline thrust. Also, a lean towards "orphan airframes" (Gruman AA-5, Cessna 190). They volunteered that some of what is going on is that FAA was more liberal about mathematical modeling and reporting from manufacturers as well as grouping similar airframes together to expedite the "new equipment to market" process....until the whole Boeing debacle. Now they have pumped the brakes.

So, fork in the road. Grab 55x now. Or hope for GFC and that nothing de-rails approval for 337. I'm still undecided....er, hopeful.