Until about 10 days ago, my experience was not good. I have the Skyview system. The airplane could hold heading, but in altitude hold, it would phugoid dramatically and uncontrollably. It would overshoot selected headings and airspeeds, although I could live with that.
I had hardware problems and went through two SV main systems and three ADAHRS. I also have a problem with the "bouncy" Vans ADAHRS mounting - and have a temporary fix awaiting a permanent Vans stiffening package. ADAHRS vibration causes big problems with the Autopilot.
I had trouble hand-trimming the airplane for level flight - it did "OK", but needed constant tweaking which on a cross-country flight became quite tiring. Every teensy-tiny jab at the stab trim button would cause an overshoot of the "sweet spot."
I decided to fix that and in several iterations, slowed down the stab trim motor using the Vans Control Box adjusting screw. After my last adjustment, I had REALLY slowed down the trim motor - almost double the starting speed. BUT - I can now trim for good hands off level flight. I am happy there - but might slow the trim motor down even a tad more.
Then I turned my attention to the Autopilot. I was determined to fix that or die trying (that's just an expression!) I started with the default settings, then went with Mitch's East Coast Blue settings, then a couple of other guys' settings. Nothing worked. There are many inter-related parameters, and once you start messing with them, off you go into Never-Never Land. I know!
Dynon released an Autopilot Tuning Manual, so others must be having problems too. I read and re-read that manual until I knew it by heart. Then I was determined to "make it work."
I made two 3 hour long test flights up and down Hood Canal - following the steps - first the Airspeed selection adjustment, then the Roll and Pitch adjustments, slowly and incrementlly. It was VERY tedious. In the end, I didn't figure I had it right yet, but I flew a cross-country and it worked quite well.
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Since then, I've made several more - here's a flight I made yesterday from Bremerton (KPWT) to Waterville, Washington (2S5) - climbing through the Seattle Class Bravo with a stream of Headings and Altitudes, then across the Cascades at 9500 ft. - ATC all the way. The Autopilot nailed and locked all the Courses and Altitudes just like a Boeing! I was very pleased.
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I like Autopilots because I like to look for other airplanes, read the charts, take a lot of pictures, take a drink of water, and especially keep those nice ATC controllers happy. Yesterday, the Autopilot really made the flight into a joy.
Bob Bogash
N737G