PIREP on the PortaPilot?

Does anyone have a PIREP on the new PortaPilot autopilot for Cessna 172? It is the "snap-in" system that mounts on the control yoke, and does not require A&P installation, paperwork, and associated cost factors. Interesting idea and currently considering, but looking for feedback from people that have used the system.

Thanks.

 

I posted that question on aug of this year. Didn’t get any response.

 

After there has been a few crashes with these installed, the lawsuits will drive the company into bankruptcy.

 

Have they actually sold any? I’ve never seen any reviews or comments from a real customer, not even on the company website. I think they’d be quick to post testimonials if there were any.

CORRECTION - There are some reviews on the company website. They didn’t pop up until I clicked “Shop.”

 

https://www.portapilot.com/

 

Well, that's certainly one viewpoint. What if it saves a few pilots from inadvertent VFR into IMC?

 

The ratchet only turns one way. The company won't get a million dollar bonus for saving a life.

 

Can you elaborate on the crash info? Are there any findings blaming the auto pilot as the cause of the crash? Thanks

 

The saved pilots will never recognize this fact, and will certainly not be tipping the company after such an event.

I disagree with @Clip4's assessment, though. I think it will only take one lawsuit.

 

The company is close to being ready to release the unit for Cessna 150 aircraft. In theory it would make a good match for the 150 at a reasonable cost.

 

There doesn’t have to be evidence. The company will be sued, their insurance will settle, and increasing rates will end the product.

 

How would it do that?

 

1) Hit the wing leveler so you don't spin.
2) Hit the course 180 to your current heading to go back into VMC.

Maybe not a help to stay out, but a help to get out of it.

 

So you’d suggest flying with it installed but not using it, or installing it in the clouds?

 

Going a long way around the barn to draw the conclusion that that is what is being suggested.

You'd use it like any autopilot I'd surmise. You'd install it, and sometimes it would be on, sometimes you'd be hand flying.

The GFC 500 for example has a wing leveler function for the same situation. You're hand flying, get disoriented, push the button, wings leveled, spin averted.

M2C? It looks clunky and my gut tells me not that reliable. But that's nothing more than a hunch.

 

I was starting to ask the same thing. How’s it, or any auto pilot, gonna keep you outta the goo. Then figured he meant help keep you from losing it once you did.

 

Seems pretty clunky to have installed if you’re hand flying. But people have done stranger things.

 

Yep. My words exactly.

 

So how is it the “long way around” to have it installed when you’re hand flying?

 

Not sure how you thought I suggested installing and not (ever) using it. Or waiting until you’re in the air, in the clouds, and then open the box and read the installation instructions.

It’s like any other autopilot. Install it and use when wanted / needed.

Like I said - would not be my choice - but I can see how it would / could be used.

 

Still looking for positive feedback from someone who has used it. Or any feedback good or bad. We can surmise what can go wrong ,but untill it’s in use were only guessing.

 

Not sure how you found the word “ever in my post.

 

I didn’t. That’s why it was in (———). Thought that was what you were implying.


So - OK then - I suggest if you do buy the thing install it and use when you want.

What point is being made?

This all of course no help to be OP who probably was looking for answers to his question.

Then again - this is the POA

 

I’m not sure we’re using “install” the same way. The actuators are installed in flight.

 

That sounds sporty.

 

Exactly.

 

I suppose it could be installed on the copilot's yoke.

 

If we’re still talking about inadvertent IMC, I’d spend the money on a needle and ball, and have somebody teach me to use it.

 

Yes, I don't think some are recognizing this.

The "attachment points" are pre-installed. The actual actuators are only connected when you're using the autopilot - you clip them in to start using it. One of the videos on the website warns you not to fight the actuators when it's on, and if you want to hand-fly again, you need to remove the actuators. Which is pretty easy, but it's not like you're going to be hand-flying, get into inadvertent IMC, and be able to qiuckly attach the actuators to save you.

It's an interesting product, but from what I saw needs a little refining. For one, the ability to overpower the actuators is important to me in case the autopilot starts doing something I don't like.

Second, one of the videos REALLY shows the altitude hold in a poor light - I'm wondering why they even used that video on the website. They engaged the pitch actuator and altitude hold at about 4650 ft. It then climbed up to 5000, and gradually came back down to 4500, taking a total of about 4 minutes (!) to do so (the video is at 5x speed, so I'm estimating). Then, once it's at 4500, the autopilot would not pass a Private Pilot checkride, as it wanders on down to about 4350 and just hangs out there for a while. One of the indicators on the display is the altitude error, and it says right there it's 150 feet off (so it "knows" it), but doesn't seem to be doing anything about it or "trying" to correct.

 

Ah - didn’t understand that part. That would be clunky squared.

 

If one assumes that POA has a fairly broad representation of pilots, across America, and so far there are zero first hand PIREPs on the PortaPilot, then would it be safe to conclude there are few of the units currently deployed? There hasn't even been a second hand response (along the lines of "Yeah, my friend has one and s/he says...."). While the price for this autopilot is competitive, compared to certified systems, it seems the company is going to have to get a base of customers, talking about the product, in order to be successful. Maybe they need to reduce the price to an "introductory half price" promotion, to get the buzz going. That would interest me to the point that I would consider taking the risk - as an early adopter.

 

I’m waiting for a system for the Cessna 150,I’m willing to give it a try ,

 

Doesn’t matter what a 180 will do; they only make it for a 172.

 

I have no idea how it flies, but they need better marketing ideas. All I can think of is Porta-potty.

 

I have been in contact with the company ,they are about to put out a news release on the Cessna 150. I’m also on the company mailing list.

 

Be sure to give a full report.

 

The only option for the Cessna 150 for an auto pilot that’s certified is the STec 50 at a price way north of 29 k .Trio is working on an STC for their autopilot for the Cessna 150.

 

They might sell more if the name didn't sound similar to a portable toilet.

 

Just got an email from the PortaPilot team, that says the Cessna 152 autopilot will be available soon. Wonder if the same autopilot "snap in mechanism with the 2 servos" works for both the 152 and 172? For those that own both a 152 and 172, or clubs that have both airframes, it would seem to make sense for the same mechanism to work for both airframes. While the fixed hard points on the yoke and panel remain with designated aircraft, because they may have different size/configuration due to the slight differences between the 152 and 172. If not, seems to be a waste of opportunity to buy one "snap in servo mechanism, and multiple hard points for mounting the mechanism".