It should not be too hard to install an autopilot to a 360. All you
really need to do is the following:
Mount the servos to the aircraft
Make pushrods to attach the servos to the existing control tubes
Install the control unit in the instrument panel
Wire it up
From this perspective, all of the autopilots are the same. (I have
the Trutrak Digitrak autopilot, which costs about $4000.) Mounting the
servos is easy -- they come with brackets and all you need is a set of
Click-Bond studs and a dab of epoxy (I used Hysol but I have used straight
epoxy as well). Work with someone who has done composite work before as
the surface prep is important for making the epoxy stick.
The potential "gotcha" here is there needs to be room to install the
servos. The roll servo needs to go under the seats on either side, and
it's location is fairly important. This link contains the location for
the installation in the Legacy and the 360 is identical.
http://www.trutrakap.com/docs.html
You might find that there is a fuel pump in the way, or not. Maybe
hydraulic lines, or not. If so, you will have to relocate and probably
replumb some stuff. The pushrod attaches to the bottom of either control
stick. You will need to replace the existing bolt with a longer
one. That's all.
The pitch servo is less critical -- there are simply more places to put
it. You could put it under the seat (as I have) or you could mount it to
the side of the tunnel in the baggage area. You could also put it in the
tailcone. You will need to fashion some way to connect the pushrod to
the main elevator pushrod (forward or aft pushrod -- it doesn't matter which
one). The idler used in the Trutrak instructions for the Legacy is
different from the 360. I suppose you could pull out the 360 idler and
remanufacture a replacement with a place to attach a pushrod, but I
wouldn't. Some have riveted a bracket onto their elevator pushrod,
and that's okay, but I made a nylon block similar to the mechanical trim
system nylon block. This clamps around the elevator pushrod and the
autopilot pushrod connects to that. Picture is attached, showing the
mechanical trim block side by side with my custom block. I cut the hole
with a Forstner bit to get a clean hole but I cut the block with a table
saw.
Buy a premanufactured wiring harness from SteinAir (or equivalent).
They used to cost $150 but I don't know the current price.
Bottom line price should be maybe $5000 if you do the work yourself, and
double that if you get help.
- Rob Wolf