KFC 200 AutoPilot Question…

HGeorgeC*

Hi All,

Quick Question…

1981 Seneca III, still loving my ~OLD~ KFC 200 AP.

Been running great the last few years since I bought the airplane with all Modes working well.

Recently I had a Bad Preflight Check of the AP.

Those of you that fly that model AP are familiar with the Initial Preflight Check of…

1. With Gyros erect
2. Avionics Master ON
3. Press the AP TEST Button and All Annunciator Light should Flash at least 4 times and an Aural Tone should sound

I’m getting none of that, all the Annunciator Lights do illuminate, including the Red TRIM Light, just no Flash, no Tone.

Pulled & Reset the AP & Electric Trim CB’s, No Help.

Both the Manual & Electric Pitch Trim work fine.

OK, to follow up on this Check, I did engage the AP on the ground and the HDG and PITCH Commands worked fine.

I spoke with my Avionics Guru here near Cleveland and we narrowed it down on the AP Wiring Diagram to the “Trim Monitor Fail” Circuit, nestled somewhere in the KC 295 Flight Computer. He has no time to further troubleshoot right now.

So, the question being…

Anyone of your guys or gals ever have that happen??

If so, a possible fix?? I assume that KC 295 Box is in the Fuselage, Aircraft Left, just abeam the Janitrol Heater. Resetting the Connector(s) help?

For now I have the AP MEL’d, but in the spirit of Airliner World “any component deemed safe to operate may be used”. Have you guys used the AP because it appears it’s only the Monitor System and not the actual System?

Thanks in advance!

Your thoughts!?

Stay Safe, Fly Fun!

George

N8434M KLRP

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Tom_Jax

You might email Bob Weber, bobweber@webairconsulting.com. He's been fussing with the King autopilots for a long time and likely can provide thoughts. A customer has a KFC200 in a PA31 that had some issues, we send the KFC295 to Autopilots Central in Tulsa, OK. Reasonable turn time and cost, and they went over the whole thing.

HGeorgeC*

Thanks Tom!

I’ll look him up!

George

N8434M KLPR