Hello From N738C
Hi All, some what new to this. We recently acquired a Piper 6XTC as they are now known. Very nice airplane, now getting a face lift to all new Avidyne avionic, including two IFD440s to replace older Garmin 430s. Not really happy with Avidyne's customer service as the replacement of the PFD is taking 4 weeks, but that's the way it goes.
We enjoy flying on simple two day trips with friends or the occasional 3-4 day ones to go to Napa, Texas or other destination spots. Be happy for to hear any suggestions. We are based in Glendale AZ,
Cheers,
Dale & Val
Comments
Look forward to seeing a new panel welcome aboard. Carl
49 yrs A/P IA DAL A/C inspector. 172N Rotax IRMT 912/914
Dave & Val;
Welcome!
Congrats on the airplane purchase. Looking forward to seeing the new instruments. Post pics!
Jim "Doc Griff" Griffin
PA28 - 161
Chicago area
Well all upgrades completed Thursday, 8/22. PFD updated at factory, ...two new IFD 440s, new transponder for ADS-B in & out. Also MFD update to Integra 8.2.2. All total about $60 grand. Only thing not new is S-tec 55x autopilot, which was quite sloppy when tracking a nav, but good in hdg mode and all vertical modes worked.
We hoped updating PFD would take care of tracking issue. WRONG. On first flight after update I put the autopilot on in HDG and v/s-alt and reached for my gopro to record it and before I could even turn it on, plane rolled 30 degrees left, the 30 degrees right. I dropped the camera clicked a/p off and returned to straight and level.
WELL I thought, what did I do wrong? (FYI I am retired AAL captain with lots of GA experience). I recycled A/P master switch and then reengaged and same result. Tried again the next day and same thing.
It's will be back in the shop tomorrow, but wondering if anyone might have some ideas of what is going on. VERY FRUSTRATING
Well all upgrades completed Thursday, 8/22. PFD updated at factory, ...two new IFD 440s, new transponder for ADS-B in & out. Also MFD update to Integra 8.2.2. All total about $60 grand. Only thing not new is S-tec 55x autopilot, which was quite sloppy when tracking a nav, but good in hdg mode and all vertical modes worked.
We hoped updating PFD would take care of tracking issue. WRONG. On first flight after update I put the autopilot on in HDG and v/s-alt and reached for my gopro to record it and before I could even turn GP on, plane rolled 30 degrees left, then 30 degrees right. Sort of like unusual attitudes on a check ride. I dropped the camera clicked a/p off and returned to straight and level.
WELL I thought, what did I do wrong? (FYI I am retired AAL captain with lots of GA experience). I recycled A/P master switch and then reengaged and got the same result. Tried again the next day and same thing.
It will be back in the shop tomorrow, but wondering if anyone might have some ideas of what is going on. VERY FRUSTRATING
Hi Pa32-n738c,
Wow, after investing in such an extensive avionics upgrade and finding the Autopilot still not functioning properly is certainly a disappointment! You did the right thing by taking it back to the shop for analysis. There are so many variables.
It sounds like the Autopilot was not working well before the upgrade. The shop will probably verify the GPS steering signals (GPSS) are all being sent and received properly. If so, the problem may be in the controller itself. Some shops have loaner units or may be able to secure one to confirm the issue is with the controller and not in the aircraft or other avionics systems. Please keep us posted on what you find! It will certainly help others faced with similar problems.
Regards,
Mike