R
Rutus
My not-so-trusty turn coordinator (Falcon) has finally died after ~200 hrs. From the start it was noisy - sounded like our KitchenAid stand mixer working on a load of bread dough - but over the last few months operation became intermittent, and now it is deceased.
So, what to do? My plane is not yet IFR equipped (need a nav device and perhaps a few other items) but has a vacuum DG and AI. The longer trips I've done so far make me think that an autopilot might be worth dropping the $$ on, and now I am wondering if putting one in in place of the dead TC would be a smart solution. Van's has the TruTrak single and two axis units, and I guess I would be leaning towards the 2 axis if I am going to go through the effort to install an autopilot, plus that would be nice if I eventually get my instrument rating and fit the plane with the rest of the necessary equipment for IFR.
Part of my thinking, also, is that I am scheduled to have the plane painted (finally) by Sunquest at Paine Field this winter, and would like to finish off any mods/upgrades/changes that might involve cutting and working on the sheet metal before that happens.
So - what say you autopilot experts? What kind of AP? Would I still want a simple bank indicator on the panel too, since the TC would be going away? Any other things I ought to be thinking about?
Thanks for the advice!
So, what to do? My plane is not yet IFR equipped (need a nav device and perhaps a few other items) but has a vacuum DG and AI. The longer trips I've done so far make me think that an autopilot might be worth dropping the $$ on, and now I am wondering if putting one in in place of the dead TC would be a smart solution. Van's has the TruTrak single and two axis units, and I guess I would be leaning towards the 2 axis if I am going to go through the effort to install an autopilot, plus that would be nice if I eventually get my instrument rating and fit the plane with the rest of the necessary equipment for IFR.
Part of my thinking, also, is that I am scheduled to have the plane painted (finally) by Sunquest at Paine Field this winter, and would like to finish off any mods/upgrades/changes that might involve cutting and working on the sheet metal before that happens.
So - what say you autopilot experts? What kind of AP? Would I still want a simple bank indicator on the panel too, since the TC would be going away? Any other things I ought to be thinking about?
Thanks for the advice!