Are Used Stec Autopilots worth nothing?

[Cmercado]

Hi guys,
Just wanted to know if its is true that Genesys (Or the new company) is not issuing "Letters of Authorization" for second hand AP's on different aircrafts. Is this real ?

 

[MooneyDriver78]

They are only good as parts replacements if you already have one. I can’t imagine anyone spending money to install an outdated system.

 

[Cmercado]

But what about a 3100?? No LOA?

 

[Brad Z]

Not sure, but I was able to sell both of my old STEC 55 and STEC 55x control heads on eBay, so somebody is buying.

 

[schmookeeg]

I hate that this problem still exists and seems to be expanding.

 

[Josh Mac]

I removed an STEC30 for a GFC500 A/P. I sold the complete system to another Bonanza owner. They already had an STEC30 system, but wanted replacement parts on hand since it's getting harder to find shops to work on them, and Genesys has not been great about supporting customers with their older A/Ps.

To your LoA question, Genesys will issue them, but it is so cost prohibitive that it actually costs less to buy a modern Garmin A/P.

 

[pilot135pd]

Not sure, but I was able to sell both of my old STEC 55 and STEC 55x control heads on eBay, so somebody is buying.

What did they go for? I can't decide if I keep mine installed or remove for weight and sell it since I never use it.

 

[pilot135pd]

Wow, I just checked eBay and it seems to me that it's worth it to remove it completely and sell it cheap for 3 reasons:

1- I never use it, it's more fun to fly my type of plane hands on.
2- With today's installation costs, it makes sense to have it as backup. Just being able to swap out parts saves so much on installation costs alone !
3- If you don't want to spend $30-40k on a new Garmin system. At least this one you can install yourself. If they're not giving out more STCs you can get a field approval using the thousands out there safely flying and use the STC's data, something the FAA approves of doing.

 

[Brad Z]

What did they go for? I can't decide if I keep mine installed or remove for weight and sell it since I never use it.

The 55 sold for $250, the 55X sold for $900. Coincidentally that's what I paid 10 years ago for the 55X when I bought it to replace the 55. That doesn't include the price I paid to have STEC reissue the STC.

 

[pilot135pd]

Thanks. I see that prices are all over the place on eBay for them now.

 

[Clip4]

Hi guys,
Just wanted to know if its is true that Genesys (Or the new company) is not issuing "Letters of Authorization" for second hand AP's on different aircrafts. Is this real ?

Why would they? The company has zero knowledge of the airworthiness of any of the components and probably places them at risk of lawsuits for units they are not making a nickel on.

 

[Cmercado]

Why would they? The company has zero knowledge of the airworthiness of any of the components and probably places them at risk of lawsuits for units they are not making a nickel on.

Well, they charge for the STC, the "recertification of components", and the new install kit...... there are some AMU's in the process...

 

[Clip4]

Well, they charge for the STC, the "recertification of components", and the new install kit...... there are some AMU's in the process...

Except they no longer support the APs we are discussing, which means no recertification.

 

[Cmercado]

Yeap… unfortunately…

 

[rotormatic1]

Wow, I just checked eBay and it seems to me that it's worth it to remove it completely and sell it cheap for 3 reasons:

1- I never use it, it's more fun to fly my type of plane hands on.
2- With today's installation costs, it makes sense to have it as backup. Just being able to swap out parts saves so much on installation costs alone !
3- If you don't want to spend $30-40k on a new Garmin system. At least this one you can install yourself. If they're not giving out more STCs you can get a field approval using the thousands out there safely flying and use the STC's data, something the FAA approves of doing.

FSDO's can't field approve 2 or 3 axis autopilots. Only wing levelers..

 

[WDD]

I can’t imagine anyone spending money to install an outdated system.

I'd agree. The GFC 500 installed (dual axis, electric trim) is about $20k??? Not cheap. But spending $5-10k to install an outdated system and it's servos isn't really smart money IHMO.