Autopilot choices

The place to raise issues, ask questions, swap ideas and discuss anything related to aircraft engineering, maintenance and building.
NB Any opinions expressed in this forum are not necessarily those of LAA Engineering

Moderators: John Dean, Moderator

Post Reply
Velar
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:10 pm

Autopilot choices

Post by Velar »

What autopilot systems are accepted by the LAA these days? I’ve a 450kg 3 axis microlight that is terribly unstable in roll and an utter pig to keep on a fixed heading for any duration.
Penguin
Posts: 23
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 6:05 pm
Location: Hampshire

Re: Autopilot choices

Post by Penguin »

There's something wrong with your aeroplane, an autopilot will not solve it.
You are talking about an autostablisation system, none of the autopilots available will do that.
Peter Pengilly
016176
tnowak
Posts: 532
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:00 am

Re: Autopilot choices

Post by tnowak »

Velar,

Out of interest, what is your aircraft type?
Something doesn't sound right with stability..
Tony Nowak
008249
Velar
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:10 pm

Re: Autopilot choices

Post by Velar »

It's a Zenair CH701. I've flown 2 others, each of which can't keep a heading for anything more than 3 seconds hands-off. On long journeys it's fatiguing; a threat which autopilots manage. Every other aircraft I fly has an autopilot but I have no experience of microlight category options.

The original question reworded is, what choices has anyone experience of in the market today?
tnowak
Posts: 532
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:00 am

Re: Autopilot choices

Post by tnowak »

Just a suggestion, have you contacted LAA Engineering about the stability issues you are encountering with the aircraft? I wouldn't have thought the type would be accepted onto the LAA books with those sorts of stability issues.
I don't have any knowledge of autopilot systems.
FYI, my 1948 Piper flies hands off.....
Tony Nowak
008249
Post Reply