True Installed Cost of [Aspen / S-Tec / Century] Question

[Charles Schefer]

Ever since I bought my PA-30 I've had plans to install an Aspen PFD and perhaps a new autopilot (though my Piper Altimatic III works well except for being sometimes finicky about holding the exact altitude I've dialed in). I've been researching all this for some time but am now trying to get a bit more precise. Equipment I'm considering includes:

1) Aspen Pro EFD 1000 (Primary Flight Display)
2) S-Tec 55X Autopilot
3) S-Tec 30 Autopilot
4) Century 2000 Autopilot

Obviously I would not be installing all three autopilots but rather these are the options I'd consider having researched the options fairly extensively. I realize there is plenty of room and probably energy to debate which option is best and why. The point of this post is not to debate those issues but rather to survey those who HAVE actually installed these items and ask if you would be willing to share the final resulting cost of installing one or more of these in a Comanche aircraft.

The manufacturers of this equipment provide fairly accurate parts cost but the install labor is where I get a very WIDE distribution of claimed cost. Some of the more expensive shops claim their price is more realistic and the cheaper shops are either cutting corners or low-balling. The lesser priced shops claim the more expensive shops are just over priced. Hence my interest in getting any feedback on real world installations in Comanche aircraft.

Since these are all things installed in the airframe independent of the engines I assume (famous last words) that there would be little variation in cost between PA-24 and PA-30 aircraft. Mine is a PA-30 "B" Twin (1968).

Any feedback or thoughts on true install cost would be appreciated. If you are willing to comment on amounts paid, could you also comment on the year installed (I'll factor inflation) and whether your install experience was positive or negative.

Many Thanks in advance to those who will chime in...

- Charles

[N3322G]

Charles,

Century installed a 2000 as a sponsor for the 1994 world race so can't comment on expense. Can say we remain happy with the function accuracy - taking tuning every once in awhile.

[Andrew Foster]

Charles,
We have an stec 50 ( same as 30 except the computer is in the panel, same function as the 30 ) this was installed in 2003, 6 k for the unit, about 3 k for the install back then.
Just did the aspen pro 1000 in jan. 10k installed, but I did give the shop my servicable kcs 55 HSI system. I also completely stripped the interior, all side panels, flooring, etc, and reinstalled after the work was completed. That saves the tech a bunch of time, and money on our side. In my research 12.5, here in so cal was the average, 15 k was the high end. JVB was also around the 10k range, and he would have been my first choice, but I was just too far away.
Love , love , love the aspen. Thier customer support is outstanding. Interfaces with the stec flawlessly.
The only sqawk I had was with magnetic interference from the trim cables. I replaced the overhead speaker with a shielded magnet kind, and called Aspen about degaussing procedures for the trim cables. The tech rep met me that day, at my plane, with a degausser, and spent an hour with me doing the procedure, recalibrating the compass, and fine tuning the pitch and roll. No charge and was just pleased as could be to make their customers happy. Really cool.
The amount of information when flying ifr is great.
Good luck
Andrew
61 250

[Kristin Winter]

My solution to the Altimatic III problem, which was combined with the problem of insufficient funds to drop $20K into an autopilot, was to convert my Altimatic IIIB into a Century III, per STC. This was less than half the price and it got rid of the altitude pre-select and the finicky altitude sensor box that has parts which are no longer available. The installation is very manageable because the electric trim, the roll servo, the radio coupler, the glideslope coupler, and most important, the wiring harness is the same.

[jeffrey aryan]

Charles,

FYI,

I just purchased a used STEC 55X from another Twin Comanche member. I am trying to get it installed before going to Oshkosh in a month from now. My primary avionics shop quoted me 62 hours in labor maximum. They also said I could help out with some of the installation by removing the interior and mounting the servos and running the wiring. I think the answer you are looking for is 62 hours labor. That was based on their last installation of the STEC 55X. I think it would also help if you removed the interior yourself. That will save you at least 8 hours in labor.

Hans told me, when he installed his Century 2000 with the help of JVB a few years ago. He did a lot of the running the wires and mounting the servos. It apparently isn't hard, just grunt work that eats up time. Maybe you could do something similar. I hope this helps. FWIW.

Jeff Aryan

[Don Nelson]

Hello Charles,
Not sure from your post if you're asking an installing shop to share the "cost" of installing, or just the info on how much, but I'd think you could get some good info from Richard Kurtz of Bakersfield Avionics. 661-393-1872 or avionics@ncinternet.net

They are long time ICS members and Twinco drivers, and have installed an Aspen and C-2000 in theirs. Actually, if I remember right, Aspen used their Twinco for the certification.

About 6 years ago they installed an Aspen PFD and C-2000 in my then 250 Comanche.
And 2+ years ago the Aspen PFD and MFD, and C-2000 with altitude pre-select in my now 30B Miller Twin.
Both those included a lot of other stuff, so I have no idea myself of the breakdown between avionics even, and other stuff.

1 caveat - My Twin has a Robertson installation in which a conflicting autopilot servo had been relocated. That created problems for the C-2000 installation STC requiring a delay, tho I've no idea of it's cost.

Seems no matter what, crap happens, especially in these old, ( but good!), airplanes.

Good luck and good hunting,
Best regards, Don

PS,
BTW, You might be interested in that the Comanche Flyer Foundation (CFF) is planning a Comanche Pilot Proficiency Program (CPPP) for the Leesburg area, possibly in October.
Dn

[JMH23]

Charles,
In November 2012 I had J. A. Air install an STEC 50, with a servicable Autopilot DG, and Stec GPSS in my 260B after the original Piper Autocontrol II unit failed. Total cost was $18,390. I had provided the hole for the STEC 50 already in my Ron and John's panel, so that maybe saved a couple of hours of install time. I had other quotes that were up to $2800 higher. I was very happy with the work at J.A. Air, and unit has worked flawlessly so far. Hope this helps,

Joe Hand
N9023P

[Charles Schefer]

Wow! Thanks to everyone for all the replies - very much appreciated. Don - thanks also for the CCCP note in October, that's only 14 miles from my home base at HEF - I'm very interested in doing that program and have been watching for one to come up nearby!

- Charles

[Charles Schefer]

[Kristin Winter]

Charles,

Century has the STC. I have some spare components. Email me at kristin_winter at comcast dot net and we can discuss.

[Charles Schefer]

[Charles Schefer]

Quick update on this thread. I had a long and very good conversation with Alan Flewit at Century. I am very impressed with Century based on the conversation we had. My new favorite wish-list autopilot is the all digital Century 4000. The 4000 is approved (or quickly can be) for any airframe where the C2000 is approved so Comanches are on the list.

My first step will probably be to send in my old Altimatic III control head. Alan said based on the symptoms I described the problem may be there. The AIII has an altitude sensor bellows that is no longer available - which I knew - but Alan says they can integrate a new digital sensor to replace it if needed. They will analyze the problem for a flat $200 fee.

- Charles

[N3322G]

Wow, Charles that is nice to know. Met Alan at AOPA Ft Worth last fall and was impressed with him. Great to see his new blood at Century.

[Charles Schefer]

Pat - yes I was duly impressed with Alan. Like him a lot. From what he said it sounded like they had just completed a few 4000 installs in PA-30s (unless I misunderstood).

- Charles

[Kristin Winter]

Great to know that Century has a fix for the bellows going bad.