Autopilot 400

[MikeZ]

Sten: if you can swing it, I'd scrap the 400 and put in an S-Tec, even the lowest end model. I know its more money, but in the long run if you want to keep the plane its worth it.

I flew with the 400 series for 10 years, and every year or two had to put lots of money into it. It wasn't that accurate, and had a bad habit of making "excursions", wild hard wingovers. I was able to handle it but my passengers got freaked. Not to say that yours will do the same.

I'm told by a friend that runs Autopilot central that S-Tec has a huge market share, but that their repair shop only gets less than 5% of its business taking care of that brand of autopilot.

If you're going to do real IFR flying, this is not an area to scrimp on. Good luck.

Mike Zinn