Autopilot

[Todd Skalsky]

Hi all,

I have an Altimatic II in my 61 comanche 250 that is inoperatable. Does any one have any suggestions on who I can talk to about repairing it.

Thanks,

Todd Skalsky
N7758P

[N3322G]

Todd,

Welcome to the ICS Forum.

I've heard others talk about folks who can help you but can't recall them at the moment. A few years back, we went with Century Flight Systems 2000 product and have been happy with it - in case you can't get yours fixed.

[Kristin Winter]

Autopilot Central -- which IIRC is in Tulsa, OK City, Wichita, some place like that.
Muncie Aviation -- Muncie, IN.

[Dan Johnson]

Hi Todd,
You can try Century Flight Systems in Mineral Wells, Tx.
Dan

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

Unfortunately the Altimatic II is a boat anchor. There are no parts available to fix them. The Altimatic III's are still servicable, but harder and harder to keep running, and as Kristin says, there are very limited places that will fool with them. I love my III, but understand the element of borrowed time.

-Zach

[Chief]

S-Tec 50

[Jay]

The Century 2000 as been a rock solid and reliable unit for me.

If you do decide to spend money on a new A/P I'd encourage you to fly with both rate based and attitude based types and compare them before you make a decision.

Jay

[Jody Brausch]

I would only add that rate based systems are independent of the vacuum system, and therefore add another level of redundancy in the event of a vacuum failure. It might be something to think about when it's time to replace the autopilot.

[9089P]

Hi,

When it came time to buy a new auto pilot we went with the Stec for the reason stated by Jody. Having had 2 sudden vacumn failures with no discernable warning, decided we didn't want our autopilot based on a vacumn system. I know that electrical systems can go but there is usually a warning and you do have a battery for a little while. I bought the stec-30 and couldn't be happier. Its hooked to a 430 with gpss and its like magic.

Good luck, Don

[Todd Skalsky]

Thanks all for the advice. I am seriously considering the STEC system.

Todd Skalsky

[David Pyle]

Todd,

It depends how much you want to spend on your 1961 Comanche. The C2000 would be about $15K installed. An "essential" STEC model about half that with less capability. Depends on the kind of flying you do, and current value of your airplane. Were it mine I would call Barry Sparks at Autopilot Central in Tulsa (918 836 6418), and discuss the options. Since the Autocontrol II is basically a Century I they might be able to fix it, or replace with used in kind. Unlikely Century in Mineral Wells TX would work on it. Call if I can be of further assistance.

Dave Pyle 713 464 6717

[Ray B]

David is right! It depends on your type of flying and how much you want it. Even a basic S-tec 20 or Century 2B will set you back 7K with installation. That's 25 percent of my planes value and it will not add that much to the value if I decide to sell. So it really boils down to, I'll be buying it for me! Because I want it! I don't fly IFR any more but I still miss the old Piper Autopilot my 1st Comanche had 40 years ago. So----I figure my wife might get the hint of what I want for my birthday if I talk about how much easier it would be for her to fly the airplane to safety in the event that I keel over at the controls. Or, I could buy it for her for her birthday, because I'm always thinking of ways to make life easier for her!--- What do you think? Ray B

[David Pyle]

I believe that the only new Century autopilot is a 2000, or a variant of that. A used Century IIB might be available at Autopilots Central as a replacement for the C I. That might be the least expensive solution.

My wife once gave me a reman engine for Christmas (they were cheaper then)...or at least that's what she claims.

[Jay]

Century makes several autopilots.

The Century 41 is more of a big airplane system.

The new model is the 4000, not sure of the certification status. It seems to have all the bells and whistles, i.e., it'll most likely be pricey.

Then there is their Triden series. Uses the same servos as the Century 2000, but with a smaller control head. I've flown behind one of these and I don't care for the LCD display.

The guts of the Century program is the 2000. Uses a modular design, which means that you can buy a basic version and then add various features. The basic box is available as a single axis system, a 2 axis system with trim prompting and a 2 axis system with autotrim. To that you can add (or not) GPS Steering, Altitude pre-select and a yaw damper. Huge variation in price between the basic and the "full boat" systems, but you can also install a basic system and then add to it over time, which is what I did.

The Century I is still available, a very simple and relatively inexpensive (as autopilots go) rate based unit.

All of the Century A/Ps are attitude based EXCEPT the Century I. Attitude based autopilots take their cues from the vacuum driven artificial horizon. Compared to rate based systems like the Century I or the S-Tec units that we are talking about here, attitude based systems are noticeably more precise. In the case of the 2000, I can say that it is a LOT more precise than any rate based autopilot I've ever flown, including the S-Tecs. The first time I flew a coupled approach with the 2000 I thought my HSI had failed because the needles were locked in the center of the donut, it is that solid.

The upside of a rate based system (takes its input from the DG) is that since the DG is electric, at least wing leveler functionality is still available if the vacuum fails.

My opinion is that an alternate vacuum source with an attitude based system is a better investment to keep you safe if you lose vacuum. Either way, again, I'd suggest flying behind both types before you spend that much money.

Jay

[David Pyle]

Excellent exposition. Shows how long it has been since I was in Mineral Wells. I have had four Century 2000s. Two worked as advertised and the others did not. My problem with the basic C2000 (verses say a CIII or CIV) is that when the attitude/altitude component fails (which is the most common failure) the whole autopilot fails. Perhaps this has been corrected. Another common problem with any autopilot which gets information from the gyro horizon is a "dirty gyro" for which the autopilot failure is blamed.

I have had various STEC models and liked them. They are (or were) also at Mineral Wells. However, they would not service or install them there.

Last I checked none of the earlier Century autopilots were being produced or serviced by Century, hence my Autopilots Central recommendation.