![]() I’d researched both and prepared a script to put them through their paces. In both cases, I flew the actual Cessna 340 in which the systems had been certified shortly before my flight. I flew the S-TEC 3100 at the AOPA Santa Fe, NM Regional Fly-In on September 13. (Flying those systems in a C340 was admittedly self-serving, but also purposeful for IFR in that a cabin-class twin places more demands on an autopilot than a modest single.)Īfter much schedule coordination, I flew the Cessna 340 GFC 600 at the Twin Cessna Flyers owners’-club annual convention in Nashville on June 1 this year. I immediately reached out to both companies to arrange to fly their certification 340. I’d have two modern systems to evaluate for my bird. Meanwhile, avionics giant Garmin was already undertaking certification in the 340 of their high-end digital retrofit autopilot, the GFC 600. (The S-TEC 55 and 55X, while capable and available for the 340, use rate-based sensing that’s pushed a bit too far in cabin-class twins.)Ībout a year ago autopilot giant Genesys Aerosystems quietly announced that their new high-end digital autopilot for piston aircraft, the S-TEC 3100, would be available in the Cessna 340. But, there aren’t any suitable alternatives. The OEM autopilot (by Sperry) was really quite good, but is around 40 years old and, even when working perfectly, shows its age. Its capabilities, sophistication, twin engines, and pressurization fit my needs perfectly. Are you feeling my pain yet? Nah, I didn’t think so…Īs I evaluated the new S-TEC and Garmin autopilots, this is what I found. So, flying these new autopilots in my aircraft type left me wanting one right away even though my autopilot works perfectly. Of course, most owners find new gadgets attractive, but when you actually get to try these things out, use them in action, well, I often find it more difficult than others to resist. We often get the inside track on FAA activities we can go to all the shows as part of the job we fly a lot of GA for business and we get to play with all the latest toys from the manufacturers.Īs an airplane owner, I quietly find myself looking at each new device both as an editor and as a potential buyer. Many pilots think that being an editor or journalist in aviation is a dream job. ![]()
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