Never had an autopilot before. Is Trutrak a bad idea?

[blackbeard10]

I have the Trutrak Efis and the servos in my 4. Good product with good service originally. The handoff to Bendix was rough and getting product info and manuals which were readily available when Trutrak was Trutrak was difficult if not impossible after the sale. Sorry to say, but if I were doing a new build, I would take the advice given in earlier posts and buy elsewhere.

[NewbRVator]

I’d like to hear more about installing a Garmin A/P servo as I currently have a G5 and an older autopilot that isn’t worth restoring.

[ColoradoSolar]

I installed a Garmin autopilot as part of installing a G5. Everything was straight forward. The roll servo was a bit of a pain due to the tight space, getting it aligned just right for full movement without and binding took some trial and error. The pitch servo was pretty easy if you don't count the fact that the space in the baggage area is a tight squeeze and I usually remembered a tool I needed after I squeezed in

What else would you like to know?

[NewbRVator]

Very helpful. Thanks. I has just thinking single axis.

[PCHunt]

I'm thinking that shortly after you install and use a single axis autopilot, you will be kicking yourself for not installing both servos while you have the airplane apart............

JOMO, and worth what you paid for it.

[Shark]

I currently have a single axis TruTrack and am planning to switch to garmin 2-axis this winter. nothing against Trutrack but this way I can hook into my g5's and eventually a GPS-175

[jbDC9]

Originally Posted by PCHunt

I'm thinking that shortly after you install and use a single axis autopilot, you will be kicking yourself for not installing both servos while you have the airplane apart...

Yeah, that! As long as you're in there, and it's not that much extra coin; you'll really like having a two axis system...

[cheeselion]

Thanks again guys, I planned to take the advice and go with the Garmin option, but I went out to the hangar last night with a printed-out footprint for the GMC 507 (that thing is huge!) and there's just no way I can make it work in my mostly-steam panel.

An autopilot is really just a sandwich-enabling device for me, I don't fly this thing in IMC, so I decided to go with the xCruze because I have an empty 2" hole it will slot right in.

[swordtail]

Two axis is the way to go! Lighten your load on long trips. just my 2 cents worth.

[PaulvS]

Originally Posted by cheeselion

Thanks again guys, I planned to take the advice and go with the Garmin option, but I went out to the hangar last night with a printed-out footprint for the GMC 507 (that thing is huge!) and there's just no way I can make it work in my mostly-steam panel.

An autopilot is really just a sandwich-enabling device for me, I don't fly this thing in IMC, so I decided to go with the xCruze because I have an empty 2" hole it will slot right in.

Good luck, hope it goes well, please share your experience after as I am sure that many are interested and would benefit. Thanks!