|
|
We Upgrade Avonti's Cessna 414 With An S-Tec System 65 Autopilot
As nearly everyone in aviation knows, a well-maintained airplane will fly virtually forever. When its avionics or other systems become outdated, the aircraft can be upgraded with state of the art equipment that enable it to take advantage of the latest in new technologies--and suddenly become "new" again! So rapidly have recent advances in avionics taken place that many of today's new systems may not even have been imagined when the airplane was built.
We recently replaced an autopilot, that had been in a Cessna 414 since the aircraft was new, with an S-Tec System 65 Flight Control System. The Cessna 414 is owned by Avonti Manufacturing, Inc., in Phoenix, AZ. Avonti manufactures cultured marble and acrylic bathroom and kitchen fixtures, and uses the airplane to serve a growing customer base in the southwestern United States.
|
Mr. Bill Pope, vice-president of Avonti Manufacturing, Inc., shown here with the firm's Cessna 414 aircraft, which he flies, and in which Kings Avionics technicians recently installed a modern S-Tec System 65 Flight Control System. |
The S-Tec System 65 is a high performance, two-axis full function autopilot with a pedestalor panel-mounted mode selector/programmer and remote annunciator. It has altitude preselect, altitude hold and vertical speed functions. It greatly reduces pilot workload in single-pilot operations, especially in busy terminal areas. It makes approaches easier by simplifying intercept calculations and assures a successful glideslope capture. It can follow steering commands from the aircraft's GPS system and can execute a fully coupled ILS approach.
According to the manufacturer, an all-electric autopilot, such as the S-Tec System 65, is only slightly affected by a vacuum system or artificial horizon failure. To help provide a smoother, more pleasant ride, especially in turbulence, we also installed a yaw damper.
Avonti's Cessna 414 is a great example of the many fine business aircraft that are made even more capable through the installation of advanced new systems for flight control, navigation and communications that are available today.
If you are operating an earlier model aircraft with an autopilot or other avionics systems that have become dated, we will be happy to discuss with you how to upgrade it at the best possible price consistent with your particular needs. Just call us at 801-539-8412. Ask for Doug Hayden or Jim Goodrich, and let's talk.
|
