S-Tec 30 or 50?

[joejenie]

I'm getting ready to take my 182 in to get the avionics worked over before Todd has his way with my airplane. I pretty much have everything figured out except one thing. Do I do the 30 or 50 S-Tec? Panel room is not an issue on my install. I'm just wondering what the advantages are really of the 50?

Here is what I'm putting in my panel:

1- Garmin 430W
1- Garmin sl40
1- Garmin 327
1- Garmin 496 in panel (for weather, TAWS and XM radio)
1- Autopilot?
1- JPI 700
1- PMA 8000
1- Sky497 TAS traffic (have it now and won't go without it)

I decided that I didn't need 2-430's due to this being a VFR plane for me with big tires. I have a TBM 700 for real IFR flying. If anyone has any other comments or suggestions, please let me know. I'm meeting with Bevan hopefully next Thursday when I go out to Todd's shop. Bevan plans on starting the avionics the end of this month and Todd will start working on the plane in September. Here's hoping for a nice Christmas! :D

[kwmoore]

AFAIK the mechanics of the two autopilots are the same, the only major difference is the panel presentation: the STEC30 is incorporated into the TC while the -50 has its own separate control unit, a square-ish box that is slightly larger than a standard instrument. IIRC Todd has the -50 in his Katmai demo plane.

I personally like the -30, it has very straightforward operation that is nearly self-evident without reading a manual. Todd's -50 seemed a bit more opaque to me but that's likely only due to my own lack of familiarity. 30 minutes with the manual would eliminate that I'm sure.

Another member here has opined that the -50 may be preferable because the controls are more accessible to a right seater in case of pilot incapacitation. This is a point I hadn't considered before and is worth pondering. :)

Either choice should give you a very reliable, accurate autopilot. I really liked the STEC30 in my previous plane, it was rock-solid & completely dependable. In fact I preferred it to the STEC55X in Cirrus which seems to often wander back and forth across the desired course in several of the rental Cirri I fly. I don't mind having to fly the ILS glideslope myself, it keeps me sharp.

BTW when you get your plane, try flying an ILS at 55-60 kt, it's a kick! No problem with glideslope control here, everything happens in slow motion and corrections are easy to make. In fact you may want to bring along a newspaper to read while you're inbound from the FAF! ;)

[joejenie]

Thanks for the info Kevin. I'm leaning towards the 30 just due to the look in the panel! It looks like a cleaner install. The annuciation looks better in the 50 though. I will look at Todd's closer when I'm there next week and make a decision.

Shooting an ILS at 55-60 will be darn slow! I'm used to 120-140 knots. I highly doubt I do much IFR in this plane however. I fly out of KAFO which is 6200 ft. and in SGU where I'm at 2900 ft. The MEA's in both areas are 11-14,000, so IFR is usually ice. I do have a bunch of dirt and grass that I'm ready to go play on however. My Scout is fun in the dirt and grass as well, but I need 2 seats, want an autopilot (it gets old flying for hours straight and level), and personally I want an easier landing machine that will take a x-wind a little easier (My taildragger is always looking to ground loop you).

[kwmoore]

I'm getting ready to take my 182 in to get the avionics worked over before Todd has his way with my airplane. I pretty much have everything figured out except one thing. Do I do the 30 or 50 S-Tec? Panel room is not an issue on my install. I'm just wondering what the advantages are really of the 50?

Here is what I'm putting in my panel:

1- Garmin 430W
1- Garmin sl40
1- Garmin 327
1- Garmin 496 in panel (for weather, TAWS and XM radio)
1- Autopilot?
1- JPI 700
1- PMA 8000
1- Sky497 TAS traffic (have it now and won't go without it)
Sounds like a perfect fit for your planned use!

Could you tell us more about the Sky497? What information does it provide, how does it display, etc., how do you compare its real-world utility to Skywatch in your former SR22?

I got the GTX330 because TIS service is available where I do 70-80% of my flying, but in your part of the world it would be pretty useless I think.

[joejenie]

Kevin,

IIRC it is pretty close to the same thing as the one in the Cirrus except it has the annuciation. I probably ought to read into it closer (I took Bevan's word for it so far). I was going to do the Avidyne TAS system, but Bevan said that the Skywatch system is a little cheaper when you include everything. It is around 12k total I think. Yes, TIS is worthless where I'm at. I am at a pretty busy non-controlled airport, so it comes in really handy. Everyone here has a mode c transponder since Las Vegas is so close, so this system helps with those that don't like to use their radios.

Maybe Bevan can chime in here and tell us what the good and bad with the traffic systems are?

Joe

PS. How do I get set up to download pictures? I have some pictures of my new bird to add to the site.

[nworth]

...tell us what the good and bad with the traffic systems are?
I put the Avidyne (Ryan) system in my plane. At the time, the annunciation of the Skywatch was limited to saying "Traffic" and then you had to look at the display to determine where the traffic was. The Ryan system gave you the traffic like a controller would; now the Skywatch system does too.

Supposedly, the Ryan system, with two antennas (one on top, one on the belly) avoids blind spots compared to the Skywatch. I have no way to determine whether this is a real difference or not.

I love the Ryan system. So far, there have been two incidents where there was a real potential for collision while under radar survelliance but with no word from controllers. Looking at the stats alone, it may not be rational, but the thing gives me a great sense of comfort.

Only negative to the Avidyne/Ryan unit is the awkward mechanism to silence the thing on the ground or while within near terminal airspace. It has the annoying tendency, on final approach, to warn you about all the planes holding behind the line waiting for you to land.

[kwmoore]

How do I get set up to download pictures? I have some pictures of my new bird to add to the site.
You can e-mail them to me and I'll make a photo album for you, or I can send you a username and password for the photo albums section--probably not until Wednesday as I'm travelling on business--and you can do it yourself.

[joejenie]

Send me a username/password and I'll do it. I won't be around to do it until the end of the week, so take your time Kevin! Thanks

Joe

[Kent McIntyre]

As you gentlemen have said the 30 & 50 are functionally the same save for the "REV" button on the 50. We prefer the 30 because of panel space, however the 50 may be a little easier to interpret and, if it's mounted in the lower RH pilot's panel, can be operated with the throttle hand.
The L-3 and Avidyne traffic systems are functionally very close. Avidyne's claim of better coverage with two antenna's may be true, but only one of the antenna's is directional. Where the difference comes in is with a slaved heading system in the plane, the Avidyne requires a Garmin GAD42 adapter to display on the map pages. L-3 now has "enhanced" call outs like the Avidyne, but the "enhanced" part can be muted with a remote switch if installed.

Kent McIntyre
Bevan Rabell, Inc.