TruTrak needs GPS?

[MountainDude]

An avionics shop says it does, and recommends either GNC355 or the GNC255A.
Any opinions on these or other GPS sources for TruTrak?
I am a VFR pilot only.
Thank you

 

[bnt83]

An avionics shop says it does, and recommends either GNC355 or the GNC255A.
Any opinions on these or other GPS sources for TruTrak?
I am a VFR pilot only.
Thank you

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2151/0625/files/Approved_GPS_List_Rev_E_186.pdf?198

 

[Dbarbee]

The TruTrak needs a GPS source for track mode, GPS mode, and GPSS mode.

Most panel mounted GPS navigators will work and quite a few portable GPS’s can provide the input.

 

[Jesse Saint]

The GNC255 will not work, but the 355 should.

 

[nrimmer]

Use an Aera 660 if you don’t care about an IFR GPS. For $700 you will get a great VFR GPS and it will provide a position source to your TruTrak. The TruTrak will function without a GPS but it won’t fly a track, it won’t hold a heading and will basically just act as a wing leveler.

 

[MountainDude]

Use an Aera 660 if you don’t care about an IFR GPS. For $700 you will get a great VFR GPS and it will provide a position source to your TruTrak. The TruTrak will function without a GPS but it won’t fly a track, it won’t hold a heading and will basically just act as a wing leveler.

That's a really good idea. Is your 660 panel or yoke mounted? Isn't TruTrak Vizion a 2 axes AP?

 

[Dbarbee]

That's a really good idea. Is your 660 panel or yoke mounted? Isn't TruTrak Vizion a 2 axes AP?

Yes, TruTrak is a 2-axis AP. It connects to your pitot and static systems to provide altitude preselect, altitude hold, and vertical speed modes. If it’s connected to a WAAS GPS it will also follow the glideslope on a GPS approach. Airspeed input from the pitot system will prevent it from letting the airplane get too slow or too fast on a climb/descent.

 

[nrimmer]

That's a really good idea. Is your 660 panel or yoke mounted? Isn't TruTrak Vizion a 2 axes AP?

I have the panel mount kit. At a minimum you will need the bare wire kit to send one wire to the TruTrak. There might be a way to use the bare wire kit and the yoke mount if you don’t have panel space.

 

[MarkH]

What plane is it going into? It is anything resembling a trainer or XC platform, then the cost difference in an approach GPS will make it much easier to sell. In addition, if you use it to get your instrument rating (if you don't have it already), you can save some money on insurance. The $4300 GNC 175 is hard to beat for the money, but if you are on a budget, a handheld like the 660 mentioned earlier can provide the GPS if you panel-mount it.

 

[MountainDude]

What plane is it going into? It is anything resembling a trainer or XC platform, then the cost difference in an approach GPS will make it much easier to sell. In addition, if you use it to get your instrument rating (if you don't have it already), you can save some money on insurance. The $4300 GNC 175 is hard to beat for the money, but if you are on a budget, a handheld like the 660 mentioned earlier can provide the GPS if you panel-mount it.

It's a C182. Hope not to have to sell it for 20+ years and do not plan on getting IR.

 

[MarkH]

It's a C182. Hope not to have to sell it for 20+ years and do not plan on getting IR.

In that case, its your choice. If you are not worried about resale at all, you may consider asking your Avionics guy about using a Dynon D10 or a G5, its a loss if you sell, but it could make using it as simple as setting a heading bug (but I am not 100% this can be done without an external GPS).

Without an IR, you won't see much benefit in a GNC175 or GNC355 over an Aera 660. Have a serious talk with your Avionics guy about running it through a portable GPS before you decide, that maybe your best option.

 

[asicer]

It's a C182. Hope not to have to sell it for 20+ years and do not plan on getting IR.

Got room in the stack for one of these?

http://www.airgizmos.com/aera-660-Panel-Dock_p_62.html

 

[David Megginson]

Yes, TruTrak is a 2-axis AP. It connects to your pitot and static systems to provide altitude preselect, altitude hold, and vertical speed modes. If it’s connected to a WAAS GPS it will also follow the glideslope on a GPS approach. Airspeed input from the pitot system will prevent it from letting the airplane get too slow or too fast on a climb/descent.

Yes, but note that the TruTrak is certified IFR enroute-only right now. There's a note in the AFM supplement that it's not approved for approaches (any leg, not just below 600 ft AGL). Hopefully that will change soon, when they get more-advanced certification. It already works for approaches, so no problem using it to track an approach down to 600 ft AGL when you're VFR (IFR-approach use is between you and your conscience).