New, inexpensive autopilots are coming to market almost faster than we can keep up with, and the latest one, the Trio Avionics Pro Pilot, is ready to ship. The autopilot, STC and install kit sell for $7,500. The autopilot is a two-axis unit (pitch and roll).
The arrangement to get the autopilot installed in a certified airplane is strange to those of us used the conventional route of having your shop work with the manufacturer to have the unit installed. In this case, Trio is working with the very descriptively named STC Group, a company that works to get STCs for the Trio autopilot in certificated airplanes. They are, by all outward signs, doing a bang up job of it too, with certifications in hand for the Cessna 172 Skyhawk, 175 Skylark, and 182 Skylane, with approvals for several other models, including the PA28, Cardinal and PA32s coming very soon, according to Trio.
The controller is available in panel mount or round-gauge format and provides all of the functionality the pilot needs to operate the unit. For more details about the autopilot and for information on ordering from The STC Group, visit Trio's website.
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