Autopilot retrofit

[skybolt31]

I recently purchased an RV-7 and would like to add an autopilot to it. I have done some searches and it seems that on a 7 the roll servo goes in the wing. I saw some respones that people located the servo in the wingtip, but the wintips on this plane are bonded on. I am sure that they can be removed, but the work would not be worth it.

So can a Garmin servo be added to the wing of a finished airplane? Or, can the roll servo be located in the fuselage?

 

[bonefishdave]

I recently purchased an RV-7 and would like to add an autopilot to it. I have done some searches and it seems that on a 7 the roll servo goes in the wing. I saw some respones that people located the servo in the wingtip, but the wintips on this plane are bonded on. I am sure that they can be removed, but the work would not be worth it.

So can a Garmin servo be added to the wing of a finished airplane? Or, can the roll servo be located in the fuselage?

The servo isn’t mounted in the wingtip, the servo installs at the bell crank in the wing. You’ll need to buy the aileron servo install kit from garmin.

 

[Ralph Inkster]

What instrumentation /efis do you have now?
Dynon, Garmin, Gr Rapids have AP servo options that can be controlled by the screens.
Other stand alone systems like TruTrak (or whatever their current name), Trio, or others can be added & run off what ever gps screen you might be using.
Most of these systems offer easy mounting solutions.

 

[Taltruda]

I recently purchased an RV-7 and would like to add an autopilot to it. I have done some searches and it seems that on a 7 the roll servo goes in the wing. I saw some respones that people located the servo in the wingtip, but the wintips on this plane are bonded on. I am sure that they can be removed, but the work would not be worth it.

So can a Garmin servo be added to the wing of a finished airplane? Or, can the roll servo be located in the fuselage?

Yes you can retrofit the aileron servo into the right wing. Garmin or Stien air will sell you the bracket. You have to disassemble the aileron bell crank bracket. Not that hard. I really wish builders didn’t rivet or bond tips on.. I’ve even seen painters lay down a beautiful paint job.. right over wingtip and fuel tank screws! You would most likely destroy the paint getting the screws out!

 

[Dugaru]

So can a Garmin servo be added to the wing of a finished airplane?

Yes, and I’ve gotten a bit of practice doing it (see: Garmin servo quality control issues…).

I should add that a skilled A&P did the original “ship in a bottle” install, I’ve just done the replacements…

If you are 40 or older, you should beg, borrow, or steal an Aero Creeper before undertaking this task. The working position will look much like the photo on their website:

 

[skybolt31]

What instrumentation /efis do you have now?
Dynon, Garmin, Gr Rapids have AP servo options that can be controlled by the screens.
Other stand alone systems like TruTrak (or whatever their current name), Trio, or others can be added & run off what ever gps screen you might be using.
Most of these systems offer easy mounting solutions.

I don't have any instrumentation/efis right now, planning on going with Garmin and so plan to use a Garmin servo. I was under the impression that they all mount similarly, would one brand be easier?

 

[skybolt31]

Yes you can retrofit the aileron servo into the right wing. Garmin or Stien air will sell you the bracket. You have to disassemble the aileron bell crank bracket. Not that hard. I really wish builders didn’t rivet or bond tips on.. I’ve even seen painters lay down a beautiful paint job.. right over wingtip and fuel tank screws! You would most likely destroy the paint getting the screws out!

OK, thanks, I probably would not have done the tip that way, but it is there.

 

[skybolt31]

The servo isn’t mounted in the wingtip, the servo installs at the bell crank in the wing. You’ll need to buy the aileron servo install kit from garmin.

OK, thanks, some of the posts I found, people had mounted it in the wing tip as a retrofit.

 

[bonefishdave]

OK, thanks, some of the posts I found, people had mounted it in the wing tip as a retrofit.

Not likely the autopilot servo since there is no practical way to mechanically link it to the aileron. You might have mistaken that for the magnetometer. Some put that in the wing tip

 

[MiserBird]

Not likely the autopilot servo since there is no practical way to mechanically link it to the aileron. You might have mistaken that for the magnetometer. Some put that in the wing tip

Trio at one time offered a kit to do just that; I had to roll my own. Works great.... Sorry for the upside down photo of the servo.

 

[walkman]

Yes, and I’ve gotten a bit of practice doing it (see: Garmin servo quality control issues…).

I should add that a skilled A&P did the original “ship in a bottle” install, I’ve just done the replacements…

If you are 40 or older, you should beg, borrow, or steal an Aero Creeper before undertaking this task. The working position will look much like the photo on their website:

View attachment 91415

holy macaroni! I didn't know such I think existed! I'm buying one immediately!!!

 

[mburch]

you should beg, borrow, or steal an Aero Creeper before undertaking this task.

I have one of these. I haven't found it particularly useful for working underneath my RV-7, except in the lowest position where it's just a (very well made) flat creeper. Anything other than the lowest possible position puts my face too close to the bottom of the wing, where it's not practical to work on anything, or even focus my eyes on the work.

 

[Sam Buchanan]

Not likely the autopilot servo since there is no practical way to mechanically link it to the aileron. You might have mistaken that for the magnetometer. Some put that in the wing tip.

The autopilot servo can definitely be installed in a wingtip. A long pushrod connects it to the aileron bellcrank. Here are notes from one of the early wingtip installations we did on my hangar mate's RV-6A twenty-five years ago:

https://home.hiwaay.net/~sbuc/journal/navaid.html

 

[wirejock]

I made a creeper.
It's not a fancy Aero Creeper but it works. I would love one but Santa hasn't brought me one. The box is a Sterlite Foot Locker from Wally. $30. I use it to haul my tools-for-the-day, computer, speaker, etc to the hangar. Gotta love a tool with multiple uses.
Sorry about the thread "creep".

Yes, no problem installing the servo in the wing bellcrank. Trim servo goes under the seat pans.

 

[BruceW]

No one has mentioned the pitch servo that mounts in the -7 at the elevator pushrod bellcrank behind the baggage bulkhead.
Similar setup, using a install kit from AP manufacturer. Install of the mount bracket does take some riveting to the bottom skin, and diving into the baggage area if you fit. A little more work than the roll servo but doable.
Now the fun stuff, routing the wiring harness! 8^)

 

[skybolt31]

No one has mentioned the pitch servo that mounts in the -7 at the elevator pushrod bellcrank behind the baggage bulkhead.
Similar setup, using a install kit from AP manufacturer. Install of the mount bracket does take some riveting to the bottom skin, and diving into the baggage area if you fit. A little more work than the roll servo but doable.
Now the fun stuff, routing the wiring harness! 8^)

Thanks for the heads up, I am more confident pressing forward knowing others have done it already.

 

[skybolt31]

Yes, and I’ve gotten a bit of practice doing it (see: Garmin servo quality control issues…).

I should add that a skilled A&P did the original “ship in a bottle” install, I’ve just done the replacements…

If you are 40 or older, you should beg, borrow, or steal an Aero Creeper before undertaking this task. The working position will look much like the photo on their website:

View attachment 91415

Thanks for the advice, I found this one on Amazon that is about half the price (still kind of pricey) and looks to be a little lower. Seems like it would be useful for cleaning and polishing the bottom of the plane as well.

Amazon.com