Installation Secrets
SERVO INSTALL SHORTCUTS
by Robert Riggs, Megahertz Avionics, Bakersfield, California
Most of the S-TEC Autopilot installations we do at Megahertz Avionics are quoted at an installed fixed price. Therefore, if we are able to reduce our labor investment below what was figured into the quotation, our savings are realized as additional profits on the project.
The standard S-TEC procedure for servo installations, described in the installation kit for most aircraft, states that the servo should be mounted on the designated bracket and then placed into position in the aircraft so that the mounting holes can be marked and drilled in the correct positions.
Depending on the aircraft, this procedure can be challenging, since the servo/bracket assembly is large enough to be difficult to fit in some locations while holding it there to mark the drilling positions. I've left more than one piece of a knuckle behind in the past and I'm sure you have also.
During a recent Beechcraft Baron Installation of an S-TEC System 60-2 with Yaw Damper, which required 4 servos, roll, pitch, yaw and trim, I manufactured a Servo Template from 1/8" aluminum stock with the exact footprint of the servos. I then mounted the template directly to the bracket. Placing the template/bracket assembly into position was much easier, since that assembly is significantly smaller than the corresponding servo/bracket assembly. Therefore it went in the tight areas easily.
After removing the template and bolting on the servo, you'll find that the slotted mounting holes of most S-TEC installation hardware will allow for alignment efforts later.
I estimate that using the templates saved me about 30 minutes per servo or 2 hours on the project, which meant almost $150 additional profit for Megahertz Avionics. This has worked so well that it has become our standard procedure whenever we can use it.
Servo Template
You may order this template using Part # 66240
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