used autopilot wanted

[Mark in Perry]

looking for an autopilot for my comanche 24-250. anyone done a recent upgrade and would like to sell the old one for a reasonable price? you can contact me at markeagar@msn.com.

thanks
Mark Eagar
1958 comanche PA 24-250
N5466P
KBMC

[David Pyle]

Mark,

Suggest you call Ron & John's (ad in FLYER), or Barry at Autopilots Central in Tulsa before venturing into used autopilots. This a rather complex problem...not like other aircraft avionics.

[md11flyer]

David is right, If you are starting from scratch then then install price will set you back about half the cost of installing a new stec.
Also if you go the used route, make sure you buy new cables to couple everything together. As the cables are over 40 years old they do incur problems.
I think when you take the used and overhaul the components, to be sure they are 100%, and then the install cost, You will get close to the cost of new.

Gary

[Mark in Perry]

thanks for the input. I have installed used autopilots before, so the install cost is not an issue. if anyone has components or a system I would be interested in buying.
thanks

[David Pyle]

Good to know that.

[md11flyer]

If you can't find one here, try E bay, there are auctions for autopilots quite often. Another place to look of course is the
salvage yards.

Good Luck

Gary

[Mark in Perry]

for teh ebay option, what versions of autopilots were used on the 250 that I could find STC's for?

[David Pyle]

Century I, II, III or IV or their AutoControl/Altimatic Piper equivalents would be the most likely. Maybe even the current Century 2000. Again your best advice is John VB or Barry at Autopilots Central.

If STecs were available present company ownership does not authorize secondary installation.

[Mark in Perry]

thanks for the info, I saw an edo-air on barnstormers - looked like just a wing leveler though.

[David Pyle]

If you buy a used autopilot that did not come from the your make and model airplane you will make a mistake. Even with that unless it has been yellow tagged by the maker it may not be workable. A used autopilot is a complicated often unrepairable, out of date instrument. I won't comment further...

[jeffrey aryan]

FYI,

STEC changed there policy about a 2-3 years ago on retro fitting there units to other aircraft. They will give you a STC and provide a install kit if needed to retro fit one there auto pilots. Of course it's not going to be cheap. I would call them first to verify that policy is still in effect.

I think it is a marketing gimmick that backfired when they began to lose sales. I know, I had an opportunity to purchase a used autopilot out of another twin comanche just like mine. Well, it didnt happen because of that policy. Now I won't buy or look at any of there products. Screw STEC.


Jeff Aryan