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04-27-2017, 10:06 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: La Feria Texas
Posts: 3,822
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Adding an Autopilot
Has anyone added the AP servos to add AP to a completed aircraft? How difficult was it, any major problems encountered?
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04-27-2017, 10:22 AM
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Bowdoinham
Posts: 180
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Installed a Trutrack system a number of years ago...but money I ever spent on the airplane post-completion...
Had to finagle a bit for the roll servo in my -8, but other than that, no biggie.
YMMV
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Nick "Hairball" Knobil
RV8 N80549 (First Flight 2003)
Aerosport O-360A1A, Dual LS CDIs, WW200C
Bowdoinham, Maine
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04-27-2017, 10:39 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Davis, CA, USA
Posts: 540
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I'm adding the Dynon autopilot now to my completed RV7. I've already installed the servos, and they were a piece of cake. Maybe an hour for the roll servo and 2 for the pitch. The Pitch servo only took longer because of crawling in the back and needing an assistant for a few rivets. It's possible to rivet or bolt the pitch mounting plate anyway you want so you could probably skip the assistant.
Wiring is taking longer because I didn't plan for it initially.
***edit: just noticed you were asking for the -12. My response may not apply.
__________________
Jeff Caplins
California
RV7 N76CX
(started: Feb 2002 --> Completed: May 2016)
Last edited by jcaplins : 04-27-2017 at 10:42 AM.
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04-27-2017, 10:49 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Edinburg, TX
Posts: 617
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Don it looks like this is a build it yourself deal for Dynon in a RV 12. i was quite surprised when I could not find anything on the Dynon site for a 12 install. I wonder why that is? Lots of 12s out there now.
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RV-3 Rebuilding
RV-9 Flying and having fun, experimenting and having fun, did I mention flying and having fun?
RV-6A SOLD
Maule M5-235C SOLD
C-172G SOLD
Stinson L5 SOLD
Grumman AA1A SOLD
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04-27-2017, 11:08 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: La Feria Texas
Posts: 3,822
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It was a total no-brainer to add them during the build,
but I think there will be some body bending (of my body) to do it later,
but not impossible.
QUOTE=Jrskygod;1168936]Don it looks like this is a build it yourself deal for Dynon in a RV 12. i was quite surprised when I could not find anything on the Dynon site for a 12 install. I wonder why that is? Lots of 12s out there now.[/quote]
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04-27-2017, 11:18 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jrskygod
Don it looks like this is a build it yourself deal for Dynon in a RV 12. i was quite surprised when I could not find anything on the Dynon site for a 12 install. I wonder why that is? Lots of 12s out there now.
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Actually a standard build of an RV-12 has all of the mounting brackets for servo installation, and wiring installed during the build so installation sometime later is about as easy as it could be (other than needing to access a location in the tailcone for the roll servo).
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Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.
Scott McDaniels
Van's Aircraft Engineering Prototype Shop Manager
Hubbard, Oregon
RV-6A (aka "Junkyard Special ")
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04-27-2017, 11:39 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 685
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002
Actually a standard build of an RV-12 has all of the mounting brackets for servo installation, and wiring installed during the build so installation sometime later is about as easy as it could be (other than needing to access a location in the tailcone for the roll servo).
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Scott .... Correct me if I'm wrong but I think I remember the Autopilot servo mounting brackets were a separate install on earlier versions of the RV-12 and came with the AP kit. What you said is true now days and has been for a few years now. Unless I'm confused, the changeover happened around the time I ordered the AP kit early to have the brackets so they could be installed during the fuselage build ... only to find out they were now being included in the fuselage kit.
I think Don started his kit prior to mine so likely did not receive the AP servo mounting brackets with his fuselage kit.
__________________
John
www.dogaviation.com
RV-12 Wings, Empennage, Fuselage, Finishing, Avionics and Powerplant kits all completed
Now Flying!!
Donation paid until September 2021
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04-27-2017, 12:36 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John-G
Scott .... Correct me if I'm wrong but I think I remember the Autopilot servo mounting brackets were a separate install on earlier versions of the RV-12 and came with the AP kit. What you said is true now days and has been for a few years now. Unless I'm confused, the changeover happened around the time I ordered the AP kit early to have the brackets so they could be installed during the fuselage build ... only to find out they were now being included in the fuselage kit.
I think Don started his kit prior to mine so likely did not receive the AP servo mounting brackets with his fuselage kit.
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Correct, but that was only very early fuselage kits.
Any fuselage kit delivered since probably the beginning of 2009 (maybe even earlier) has included the brackets.
So I was speaking in terms of the majority of RV-12 kits.......
__________________
Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.
Scott McDaniels
Van's Aircraft Engineering Prototype Shop Manager
Hubbard, Oregon
RV-6A (aka "Junkyard Special ")
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04-27-2017, 05:41 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Jesup, Iowa
Posts: 1,658
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I added it recently - -
Not a fun job. With tank out, and I think you made the crossmember removable, should not be too bad. Installing the front one takes some special tools, as in a very compact angle drill.
Don, for you, I'd fly the plane for a while. I went without one for 6 years. Not needed to have fun.
__________________
John Bender
Flying RV-12 - Serial #120036
Paid in May ( 5-2020 )
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04-27-2017, 06:36 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: La Feria Texas
Posts: 3,822
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I asked the question in regard to one I was about to buy. I have since bought one with the AP already installed (and my personal build has the servos installed as well) so I won't have to do that deed. Thanks a bunch guys, I needed the information to come to a value on the aircraft, since I would install the AP as soon as I bought it..
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