S-TEC Introduces New Autopilots
Which Require Zero Panel SpaceS-TEC Corporation of Mineral Wells, Texas introduced a new series of single and two axis autopilots. The Turn Coordinator contained autopilots are designed to address the panel space concerns of kit airplane owners and many other general aviation aircraft owners. These aircraft owners find it increasingly difficult to allocate available panel real estate to the myriad of available cockpit options that each demand panel space.
The S-TEC System Twenty is a roll axis flight control system which offers the pilot roll stability (a wing leveler), turn command capability, heading preselect and heading hold when interfaced with an optional heading system, as well as enroute and approach navigation tracking. All of this functionality is completely contained within the S-TEC Turn Co-ordinator, the brains of the S-TEC rate based system. All functions of the System Twenty are actuated from the "Push/Mode" knob on the bezel of the instrument. These functions can also be remoted to the control wheel.
The S-TEC System Thirty has all the features and functions of the System Twenty PLUS Altitude Hold and Out of Pitch Trim Annunciation. The S-TEC pitch computer is a small module which can be mounted elsewhere in the aircraft. Altitude Hold is actuated from a button on the aircraft control wheel. When the aircraft is out of trim in the pitch axis, the Out of Trim Annunciators in the system advise the pilot to manually trim the aircraft to eliminate the out of trim condition.
As with all other S-TEC building block designed systems, an aircraft owner can upgrade in the future from a System Twenty to a System Thirty easily and inexpensively. This is due to the fact that the turn coordinator/autopilot instrument and the roll servo from the System Twenty are used with the System Thirty. The addition of a new installation kit, the pitch computer module, an altitude transducer and the pitch servo completes the pitch functions of the System Thirty. Those familiar with the S-TEC product line will recognize that these new systems offer functionality similar to the System 40 and System 50. With the introduction of the System Twenty and Thirty, S-TEC has continued their design policy of providing flight control systems packaged to meet the installation needs of as many of the general aviation fleet as possible.
Prices for these systems are:
System Twenty $ 4,295.00 MSRP
System Thirty $ 6,795.00 MSRPThese prices do not include the installation kit or the installation of the product by an authorized S-TEC dealer. For an installed price quotation an authorized S-TEC dealer should be contacted.
S-TEC Introduces A New Altitude Hold ONLY Autopilot
S-TEC Corporation of Mineral Wells, Texas introduced a new Altitude Hold ONLY autopilot. The system is primarily designed for the aircraft owner who already has an operating roll axis autopilot manufactured by an S-TEC competitor, but has decided he wants altitude hold. With the introduction of the System ThirtyALT he no longer has to consider removing his existing system and installing a completely new two axis system. The cockpit portion of the ThirtyALT is a panel mounted push button. Elsewhere in the airplane is the pitch computer module, pitch servo and altitude pressure transducer.
All S-TEC flight control systems are built with a building block design philosophy. If, after installing an S-TEC System ThirtyALT to compliment a competitors roll axis system, the aircraft owner decides to replace the roll axis system, an upgrade incorporating the System ThirtyALT into a full function two axis S-TEC autopilot is easy and inexpensive. This is due to the fact that the pitch servo, altitude transducer, and pitch computer module from the System ThirtyALT will be retained in most upgrades to a complete System Thirty or any of the other two axis S-TEC systems.
Those familiar with the S-TEC product line will recognize that this new system offers functionality similar to the basics of the System 60 PSS. The PSS is also an add on autopilot which offers altitude hold, but the PSS also offers pitch command and glideslope coupling, neither of which is available in the ThirtyALT. S-TEC Marketing Research indicates that there is a need for an Altitude Hold ONLY system if it is priced to encourage more roll axis system owners to upgrade.
The price of the System ThirtyALT will be: $ 3,295.00 MSRP
This price does not include the installation kit or the installation of the product by an authorized S-TEC dealer. For an installed price quotation an authorized S-TEC dealer should be contacted.