Blue Mountain Autopilot

Has anyone installed the Blue Mountain Avionics autopilot in an RV? I'm planning to put one in my RV-6 but don't know where or how to install the servos. The BMA installation manual does not include does not include this type of detail, just a few photos of a Lancair IV installation. I know they have been installed in RV's and wonder if there are drawings available.

jacksel said:

Has anyone installed the Blue Mountain Avionics autopilot in an RV? (snip) I know they have been installed in RV's and wonder if there are drawings available.

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No drawings, but I can send you some pictures of the installation in an -8.

There is nothing particularly exotic about the BMA servos, and you can mount them pretty much like any other servos. Some people use the wing (see Sam Buchanan's rv6 site) for the roll servo although in the -8 the fuselage is easier IMHO.

The pitch servo is almost always just in front of the elevator bellcrank--I think the -6 and -8 are similar there.

Same as what James said, except I mounted the roll servo in the right wingtip.
It was very easy to do and works well.
I also have pictures if you need them or can talk either by phone or email.

BMA autopilot

Hi,

This are mine BMA autopilot pich and roll servos mounting , I hope help you,





you can see more pictures in the fuselage and wing section of my webpage.

sf3543 said:

Same as what James said, except I mounted the roll servo in the right wingtip.
It was very easy to do and works well.
I also have pictures if you need them or can talk either by phone or email.

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I am very interested in any pictures of the BMA autopilot installation in an RV-6. The more detail the better. How are the elevator and aileron bellcranks modified? What materials are required? How is the wire harness routed out to the wing? etc.

John Walsh

Hi,

Here is some info om our site: http://websites.expercraft.com/PHVII/index.php?q=log_entry&log_id=3115
and http://websites.expercraft.com/PHVII/index.php?q=log_entry&log_id=4569

I made some sturdy brackets from angled stock. Pushrods are as short as possible. The elevator bellcrank has a extra hole for the pushrod, the aileron pushrod is mounted directly on the bellcrank, just make the bushing a bit shorter to make room for the pivot.
I plan to make make a small stop on the elevator servo to prevent it form going accidentally overcenter .

Rene Bubberman said:

Hi,

Here is some info om our site: http://websites.expercraft.com/PHVII/index.php?q=log_entry&log_id=3115
and http://websites.expercraft.com/PHVII/index.php?q=log_entry&log_id=4569

I made some sturdy brackets from angled stock. Pushrods are as short as possible. The elevator bellcrank has a extra hole for the pushrod, the aileron pushrod is mounted directly on the bellcrank, just make the bushing a bit shorter to make room for the pivot.
I plan to make make a small stop on the elevator servo to prevent it form going accidentally overcenter .

Click to expand...

You should not need the overcenter stop. Once you are rigged the servo arm should not have an overcenter situation unless things come apart, in which case, you have a lot bigger problems. mine travels about 30 - 45deg. off of center in both directions. Looks like you have a very solid solution.