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Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2013 11:35:45 -0500
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From: Todd Long <toddlong1@gmail.com>
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Subject: Re: [LML] Re: Advanced flight systems s-TEC GPSS interface
References: <list-6660556@logan.com>
In-Reply-To: <list-6660556@logan.com>

Do you already have an afs EFIS?  I currently have the 3500S. It interfaces w=
ith the AFS Pilot to control everything. It does have ALT preselect.=20
I think the user interface is way better with the 5000 series. In my 3500 th=
ere is way too much button pushing to just change heading and altitude. The 5=
000 has pretty much dedicated knobs for each altitude and heading select. So=
 I'm sure that makes it way nicer to use. The 5000 so makes entering crossin=
g point altitudes easy.

The altitude and pitch has given me no trouble. So far it works well and hol=
ds altitude nicely even in in light to moderate summer bumps. The lateral is=
 another story. It tends to hunt until it finally gets its self dialed in. I=
 think the servo they recommended doesn't have enough torque. If I was to do=
 a new install I would use the recommended pitch servo and the high torque o=
n roll. Also when disturbed in roll by turbulence in starts oscillating. A k=
ind of tick tock motion. Doesn't get worse but doesn't get better. If I grab=
 the stick and hold it steady for a second it stops. No idea why it does tha=
t but I have heard I'm not the only one with this problem. So far I have not=
 been able to come up with a combination of settings in the autopilot and EFI=
S to correct the problem.=20

Install was fairly straight forward. Took 2 days.=20
Half of it was disassembling the panel and interior. The stec servos will no=
t work. And a few new wires will need to be run. The afs takes 9? for pitch I=
 think.=20

I really dislike the 3500 interface so far as usability. And the HSI overlay=
ed on the ADI annoys me. Too much clutter in one space. I have considered up=
grading to the 5000 series for a bigger screen and all the extra knobs and b=
uttons. But to be honest I want to see what Garmin does with the G3X next. M=
aybe a bigger or touch screen? If so I'd pull all the AFS stuff out and go a=
ll Garmin autopilot included. The Garmin autopilot servos have more torque t=
han the AFS does except for the high torque. Plus Garmin isn't going anywher=
e soon or being bought out. And if you have any problems with compatibility i=
t's most likely a one stop shop for tech support. Because what else would yo=
u install but Garmin GPS and radios.=20
Garmin does charge more for data updates. But over all in total costs, flyin=
g and insuring a 4P isn't cheap to start.=20

Playing with both the Garmin and AFS at Oshkosh this summer I'm sold on Garm=
in. But since my system is workable now I'm going to wait to see what comes o=
ut next. My wishes really only include a bigger screen and maybe touch scree=
n. Garmin has the screen technology in their portables at that size and is g=
oing touch on about everything else.=20

Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 28, 2013, at 10:38, Douglas Johnson <lancair1@bellsouth.net> wrote:=

>=20
> How do you like the afs autopilot? Does it have altitude preselect and hol=
d? Good lateral and vertical precision? Did you have to switch out all your s=
tec servos and wiring?
>=20
> Douglas Johnson MD
> Sent from my iPad
>=20
>> On Dec 27, 2013, at 7:28 AM, Todd Long <toddlong1@gmail.com> wrote:
>>=20
>> I screwed around for a year with an stec 55x and the afs. Don't waste you=
r time. You will have headaches and be disappointed. Rob will even tell you t=
he stec works with limited functionality and only has had a few partial succ=
esses. It's not a sales ploy. Stec tech support tried to help but have almos=
t zero knowledge of afs equipment.  Also the interface for operation will be=
 a pain. I ended up putting in the afs pilot and should have from the start.=
 Took about 2 days to install.=20
>> I had the stec in the plane when I bought it. And tried to make it work w=
ith the afs. FAIL.=20
>>=20
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>=20
>>> On Dec 26, 2013, at 16:23, Tom <n20087@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>=20
>>> Folks=20
>>>=20
>>> I am interested in hearing from anyone with experience interfacing an ad=
vanced flight systems efis with an Stec autopilot using the st901 GPSS modul=
e.  I would like to upgrade my panel incrementally and keep the basic autopi=
lot in place.  I believe I could still operate coupled approaches with littl=
e or no change to my existing wiring but where things get a little fuzzy is a=
round the heading guidance selection from the efis source.  The af5000 has a=
n Stec selection for auto pilot type.  I am not certain if it is providing t=
he right ARINC tags to the GPSS. Ie ground speed and commanded roll rate.  A=
gain I would love to hear from anybody having experience with this arrangeme=
nt
>>>=20
>>> Thanks
>>>=20
>>> Tom
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>=20
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