Autopilot question Autocontrol IIIB

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asgcpa

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A lot of planes I am looking at have Autocontrol IIIB installed w/o altitude hold. Is there an add on device that can be coupled with this to provide pitch control and altitude hold?

Thanks in advance.
 
STec makes one, but it is about $6k to $10k

Just checked my notes. The system is the System Thirty at $6300 plus installation.
 
Second that stec makes an altitude hold add on for auto pilots rather expensive,you could also install an stec 30 with alt hold for about 10k
 
frfly172 said:
Second that stec makes an altitude hold add on for auto pilots rather expensive,you could also install an stec 30 with alt hold for about 10k
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I'd like to know what shop is selling and installing a complete S-Tec 30 for $10K. Last I heard it was pushing $14K at most shops.

In any event, I think the Piper Autocontrol IIIB is a Century IIB with a Piper faceplate, and there is no pitch axis modification or upgrade for that autopilot short of replacing it with a Century III. The Century III is a full 2-axis autopilot including pitch hold, pitch command, altitude hold, and GS coupling (but not Vs command or altitude preselect). I have no idea what this upgrade would cost or how much of the roll axis equipment from the original autopilot would be carried forward.

Installing an independent S-Tec 30ALT would add altitude hold (and only altitude hold -- no attitude hold or GS coupling) to your aircraft without any interaction with the existing autopilot. Cost of that would be about $6K installed, IIRC.
 
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I guess I'm not keeping up on prices 10 k quoted was 4years ago.
 
I was told that it would be a waste of time upgrading. Told to look for an aircraft that had a Kinf, Century or STec installed.
 
Ron Levy said:
The Piper Autocontrol IIIB is a Century autopilot.
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Ron, the avionics guy I spoke to said Century made those for Piper but there are differences. I am so confused.....feel like I should continue to rent. Some folks have told me it took them years to find their plane.
 
asgcpa said:
Ron, the avionics guy I spoke to said Century made those for Piper but there are differences. I am so confused.....feel like I should continue to rent. Some folks have told me it took them years to find their plane.
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I think those people haven't done a good job of looking. I've never had a problem finding a plane I liked and was happy with. Maybe I just have low expectations, or else realistic.
 
Totally dependent on the situation.
Ted DuPuis said:
I think those people haven't done a good job of looking. I've never had a problem finding a plane I liked and was happy with. Maybe I just have low expectations, or else realistic.
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asgcpa said:
Ron, the avionics guy I spoke to said Century made those for Piper but there are differences.
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Only differences of which I am aware are the writing on the faceplates and maybe the shapes of the knobs.

I am so confused.....feel like I should continue to rent. Some folks have told me it took them years to find their plane.
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I've bought four, and it never took me near that long. Given the buyer's market we have right now, things are definitely in your favor.
 
Not necessarily, and certainly not at the price point and condition that many buyers desire, as one of the leading brokers of those planes will quickly confirm while you're in Dallas.
Ted DuPuis said:
True, but for most planes there is plenty of supply.
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