Autopilot Query

[Jim Rainer]

Wayne - you mention 400 "series" autopilots. There is the straight 400; the 400A and the 400B. They are not alike even though numbered the same. I have a 400A in a 1976 337G and when you engage the autopilot on heading or with the knob pulled out, the autopilot adjusts to the current pitch of the plane - synchonizes itself, in effect. The altitude hold will not engage until the pitch has settled down. There should be no pitch up or down when engaging the 400A - it should maintain whatever pitch is there and once synchronized you can control the pitch with the wheel. Not too far back, one of the participants of this site made availablbe a copy of the 400A manual.

I don't know about the straight 400 nor the 400B.

Jim Rainer