The TruTrak ECO Autopilot really flies!

[Ironflight]

I know that lots of folks saw Tru Trak?s prototype demo of the low-cost ECO autopilot at Oshkosh a few months ago, and many looked forward to seeing it in action. I got a chance to fly it this weekend with Andrew in the Tru Trak RV-10, and I have to tell you folks ? this is revolutionary from both a cost and performance perspective. For $1,000, you get a two-axis autopilot that will hold heading, track a Nav source, and hold altitude ? the three things we all do with our autopilots about 95% of the time. For a VFR pilot, it is hard to think of anything else that you absolutely NEED. It has good control authority (I couldn?t tell much difference between it and Sorcerer installed in the airplane as well), and a unique feel ? because it flies with trim tabs, rather than manipulating the controls.

And then there is the Envelope Protection ? another cool feature that could very well make a huge contribution to GA safety.

I did a little write-up about it HERE, and there will be a full review in Kitplanes in an upcoming issue.

Paul

[TruTrakAndrew]

I had a wonderful weekend with you and "Ms Louise" :-) thanks for your amazing hospitality! Also, thanks for letting me work on your new project. I don't get to do fun things like that much anymore!

[koupster]

Paul,
Please define Military 8 as used in the article you posted. 30 minutes of web searches yielded no answers. My RV 8's are done at some multiple of the 30 degrees specified for Lazy 8's in the FAA PTS. Despite having a military background, I haven't heard of a Military 8 before.
Thanks for all your contributions to our community.
Cheers, David
RV-6A

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by koupster

Paul,
Please define Military 8 as used in the article you posted. 30 minutes of web searches yielded no answers. My RV 8's are done at some multiple of the 30 degrees specified for Lazy 8's in the FAA PTS. Despite having a military background, I haven't heard of a Military 8 before.
Thanks for all your contributions to our community.
Cheers, David
RV-6A

"Military 8" is just a not-so-lazy lazy 8 - somehitng less than a pair of wingovers, bt fairly steep.

[Kyle Boatright]

Originally Posted by Ironflight

"Military 8" is just a not-so-lazy lazy 8 - somehitng less than a pair of wingovers, bt fairly steep.

If you're not coming over the top inverted, you're doing it wrong. ;-)

[arffguy]

As a long time R/C modeler, I would be really curious to know what servos they picked.

[DaleB]

Originally Posted by Kyle Boatright

If you're not coming over the top inverted, you're doing it wrong. ;-)

That would be the Cuban military 8, right?

[David-aviator]

Originally Posted by DaleB

That would be the Cuban military 8, right?

Could be the old geazer 8 I do in the 8...very gentle, rather steep, one g, nose up and over and descending and do it again.

[woodmanrog]

I learned how to do the military 8 from an F15 pilot this way. Pull nose up, freeze the stick and use rudder only to make the turn. Release backstick pressure once turn is initiated. Wing over and then use rudder only to level the wings. Pull back stick and do the same operation in the opposite direction. We called this a "canyon turn" as it really reduces the radius of the circles needed to form the not so lazy 8. Really a fun maneuver.

[TruTrakAndrew]

Originally Posted by arffguy

As a long time R/C modeler, I would be really curious to know what servos they picked.

We are using modified Hitec servos. They are IP67 sealed, ball bearing, metal gear servos.