This was a very good review. There is not much information about this autopilot. As another C-150 owner, it is frustrating that we do not have many options for a panel-mounted a/p. Trio is anticipating approval shortly, and I am hopeful one day Garmin will consider adding the 150 to the GFC 500 approved list.
This looks really cool, and I think even just a 1-axis would do a lot to reduce workload. Hoping to see a Piper Cherokee option next. I wonder if it may be possible to get a 90-degree connector for the interface decice with the buttons so the silly wire doesn't stick out.
How does Trim get handled…does it prompt you to adjust trim and indicate when it’s in trim? Also…for altitude hold, does it prompt you to make adjustments to throttle, etc? I enjoy your videos..I’m nearby you and own a 150 based at DKX.
Yes it does prompt you to adjust trim and will indicate when it's in trim. However I only have the NAV model, and not the VNAV. Thanks for watching and good to have someone nearby. Are you hangared?
I actually just got a Hangar at Seymour Airpark TN20…but I also have a tiedown at DKX as my teenagers are both working on their Private Certificate at DKX and train out of there.
Cool...do you have the constance beeping like I heard in the video while it was working...hope to see cross country flights while using it...thanks for sharing.
Great video again. I looked at these a year or so ago, but did not do anything for the same reasons that you cited. I have a 150J, so It looks like it will not work for me anyway. I can afford an installed autopilot, but I'm not sure that I want to put that much money in a 150. On the PortaPilot, that installation did not look that easy to me. Can it be attached to an iPad? Your videos are always very good. Thanks for this one.
It really is easy, I just was being more "permanent" in my install. A quick install not being as tidy would have been really fast. An iPad can drive it provided the flight software has NMEA out capability with the correct adapters
C150J simply needs a newer style yoke collar (2460038-1). Inexpensive, easy to replace. One bolt releases yoke, four small screws replace yoke collar. But not DYI
This little system appears to be a clever and relatively budget friendly way to upgrade various GA aircraft to GPS autopilot navigation. Does the FAA consider this setup adequate/certified for IFR navigation?
Thanks for the video. It looks like there's an input/output monitor, an actuator that drives the yoke and a processor unit that controls the actuator. My question is how do you connect your GPS unit to the processor unit? Is it hard wired? or is it wireless driven?
