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Dealer Alert:
Mandatory Service Bulletin Issued by New Piper Aircraft

Art Jackson
OEM Program Manager

Art Jackson joined Meggitt Avionics/ S-TEC as Pipers Program Manager in August. He comes to us with over 25 years of Aviation Electronics experience including many years in the avionics aftermarket.

New Piper Aircraft, Inc. has issued a mandatory Service Bulletin #1083, describing a modification required to certain Archer III, Arrow, Saratoga II HP, Saratoga II TC, Seneca V, and Seminole models.

It has been determined that in some aircraft, the S-TEC System Fifty Five X Autopilot's GPS Steering Mode (GPSS) will not be inhibited when the NAV Source Selector Switch located on the Garmin GNS 430/530, is in the VOR/LOC position. This condition can lead to the aircraft continuing to follow the GPS steering commands even though a VOR/LOC or NAV mode is intentionally selected by the pilot.

The Service Bulletin announces the availability of an Autopilot Steering Information Kit (per aircraft model and serial number), which, when installed, will correct this condition.

The Service Bulletin provides "TO PIPER DEALERS", a series of kits, each dedicated to a specific aircraft type and serial number. The FiftyFiveX is to be returned to Meggitt/S-TEC for a minor modification. Any model Fifty FiveX autopilot computer displaying a serial number AB/AB or later, does not require this modification.

The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. kit is provided at no charge while the aircraft is still under warranty and within 180 days of September 6, 2001. The Piper Kits must be procured through a New Piper Dealer.

The Fifty Five X should be returned to Meggitt/S-TEC, One S-TEC Way, Municipal Airport, Mineral Wells, Texas 76067-9236, by an Authorized New Piper Aircraft Dealer or an S-TEC Dealer. The Aircraft model, Aircraft Serial Number, Federal Registration Number should accompany all returns. Expected turn-around time to be one to two business days after receipt at Meggitt/S-TEC.

For more information: Contact your nearest Piper Dealer or Art Jackson, OEM Program Manager, Meggitt Avionics/ S-TEC, 1-940-325-9406 ext. 117