Looking for advice from pilots who've already traveled this path. My RV-6A touts a basic 6-pack panel w/ a single radio and VFR panel-mounted GPS. I've owned her for 7 months and have already done 4 x-countries in excess of 450nm. Having a blast, but this baby needs an Auto Pilot. Or, I should say, I need an auto pilot; my brain starts melting after 21/2hrs of hand flying.
My 1st thought was to just install a TruTrak to replace the turn-bank. Fairly painless w/ little downtime. I want one that's capable of tracking glideslope should I ever add to or upgrade the 250XL. Cost? $3-$4k?
However... several local pilots have upgraded to Dynon Skyviews and state that for JUST A FEW DOLLARS MORE I can have a glass panel as well as autopilot. It looks like a single 10" panel w/ servos would run approx $7,500. I'm tempted, but that's twice the cost and the downtime could be considerable.
I have the $ to install just the autopilot in the Fall, or I'd have to wait another year to round up funds for the panel upgrade. I'm happy w/ my 6-pack, and would be unhappy having to rip out the panel for the upgrade. And yes, I'd like to eventually have my machine IMC capable.
Advice?Thoughts?
Brian
My 1st thought was to just install a TruTrak to replace the turn-bank. Fairly painless w/ little downtime. I want one that's capable of tracking glideslope should I ever add to or upgrade the 250XL. Cost? $3-$4k?
However... several local pilots have upgraded to Dynon Skyviews and state that for JUST A FEW DOLLARS MORE I can have a glass panel as well as autopilot. It looks like a single 10" panel w/ servos would run approx $7,500. I'm tempted, but that's twice the cost and the downtime could be considerable.
I have the $ to install just the autopilot in the Fall, or I'd have to wait another year to round up funds for the panel upgrade. I'm happy w/ my 6-pack, and would be unhappy having to rip out the panel for the upgrade. And yes, I'd like to eventually have my machine IMC capable.
Advice?Thoughts?
Brian