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Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen
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FlyboyTR

Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 215
Location: Mobile, Alabama

Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 7:24 am Post subject: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen

I have ordered a Tru-Trak autopilot for my Vixen.  It is the ADI-II model with altitude hold.  My turn and bank indicator stopped working a few months ago.  The ADI controller will replace my defective instrument and will also provide the same flight information...plus more.



I did a search for autopilot on the Kitfox forum.  It didn't return much other than using RC parts.  I would appreciate any information regarding installation, etc if you  have an ADI or similar autopilot.  I will also give a report on the installation and function upon completion.  



Merry Christmas to all!



Travis

_________________
Travis Rayner
Mobile, AL
Skystar Vixen, N-789DF
Continental IO-240, Prince P-Tip Prop
ADI-II Autopilot
AnyWhereMap Navigation with weather
www.enotam.net (My Flying Info Website)

michaelgibbs(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 8:20 am Post subject: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen

Travis sez:



 	  Quote: 	
		   I did a search for autopilot on the Kitfox forum.  It didn't return much other

 than using RC parts.  I would appreciate any information regarding installation,

 etc if you  have an ADI or similar autopilot.


	


Murle Williams installed an autopilot in his Series V Kitfox.  You might give him a call at 602-978-0553 or drop him an e-mail at Murle.Williams (at) gmail.com.



Mike G.

N728KF

Phoenix, AZ

kirkhull(at)kc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 2:00 pm Post subject: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen

An autopilot kind of takes the fun out of flying a Kitfox.



--

JohnA

Joined: 22 Dec 2007
Posts: 26
Location: Woodland, CA

Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 2:37 pm Post subject: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen

I've been lurking for a while and will be ordering a Kitfox in March.  Time 

to come out of the woodwork, I guess.



Kirk, you are correct under most circumstances.  But if you have made any 

lengthy trips, you will know that an autopilot really makes the trip much 

less tiresome.  It's really great when you have 4 or 5 hours of flying to 

do, to be able to just plug in the flight plan and then sit back, relax and 

monitor progress and status rather than having to hand fly the plane.



I love low and slow, but sometimes, it's just the getting there that you 

need to do.  I'll be putting an ADI Pilot II in my Kitfox, so I'm really 

interested in this thread.



John Alexander

Woodland, CA



On Tue, 25 Dec 2007 15:56:32 -0600, kirk hull wrote

[quote] 

 

 An autopilot kind of takes the fun out of flying a Kitfox.

 

 --

_________________
John Alexander
Woodland, CA

FlyboyTR

Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 215
Location: Mobile, Alabama

Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 2:48 pm Post subject: Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen

I will get in touch with Mr. Williams.  He has helped me in the past with a few items... good guy.  Thanks for that suggestion!



Kirk... I don't believe an auto pilot will take the fun out of flying a Kitfox.  We frequently fly several hundred miles one way for a weekend trip.  When you're...at least when I'm...stuck in a seat for 3-4 hours and having to constantly fly the plane...it gets rather tiring!  Look away from the instruments for 30 seconds and then I'm off course, altitude changes rapidly, etc.  We also fly anywhere between 6,000 and 14,000 feet...there's not that much excitement about flying anything at that altitude and at 120 MPH!  The autopilot should help me to me more relaxed upon arrival!  As far as fun local flying...airport hopping, etc...it's really hard to beat a Fox...and for that...an autopilot would certainly diminish the fun factor for flying.  Merry Christmas!



Travis

_________________
Travis Rayner
Mobile, AL
Skystar Vixen, N-789DF
Continental IO-240, Prince P-Tip Prop
ADI-II Autopilot
AnyWhereMap Navigation with weather
www.enotam.net (My Flying Info Website)

FlyboyTR

Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 215
Location: Mobile, Alabama

Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 2:56 pm Post subject: Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen

JohnA,

Welcome to the group!  I do a lot more reading that I do posting.  I will be posting updates, etc regarding the installation, performance, problems, etc...I hope the problems are few!    And I would again appreciate any comments from Fox flyers with autopilots.



Travis

_________________
Travis Rayner
Mobile, AL
Skystar Vixen, N-789DF
Continental IO-240, Prince P-Tip Prop
ADI-II Autopilot
AnyWhereMap Navigation with weather
www.enotam.net (My Flying Info Website)

dan(at)azshowersolutions.
Guest

Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 5:51 pm Post subject: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen

Travis, don't forget to take pictures along the way. I know many would appreciate them.

  Thanks ,

  Dan B

  Mesa, AZ  KF-IV, 912s

  Covering



FlyboyTR <flyboytr(at)bellsouth.net> wrote:

  [quote]--> Kitfox-List message posted by: "FlyboyTR" 



JohnA,

Welcome to the group! I do a lot more reading that I do posting. I will be posting updates, etc regarding the installation, performance, problems, etc...I hope the problems are few!  And I would again appreciate any comments from Fox flyers with autopilots.



Travis 



--------

Travis Rayner

Mobile, AL

Skystar Vixen

N-789DF





Read this topic online [quote][b]

Fox5flyer
Guest

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 3:45 am Post subject: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen

Travis, I can't say much more than "Go For It"!   For long trips there is 

nothing like having an autopilot, especially at night, in turbulence, and 

when you need to spend a lot of time referencing charts, keeping your 

outside scan going, etc.  IMO, one of the biggest advantages is the backup 

safety factor you have if you ever get stuck on top of a cloud deck while 

low on fuel, haze over water, or any other situation where you find yourself 

with big problems and need to keep the wings level.  I have the Tru-Trak ADI 

artificial horizon (no a/p) and about all I can say about it is that it 

works perfectly and factory support is superb.  I have it interfaced with my 

Garmin 196 so it also reads the ground track on the digital readout.  It's 

even cheaper than the RC Allen units that work for a short time then have to 

be sent back for repair.

Good luck and keep us apprised of your progress.

Deke Morisse

Mikado Michigan

S5/Subaru/CAP 355+ TT

"Nothing will ever be attempted, if all possible objections must first be 

overcome".- Samuel Johnson



 	  Quote: 	
		  

 I have ordered a Tru-Trak autopilot for my Vixen.  It is the ADI-II model 

 with altitude hold.  My turn and bank indicator stopped working a few 

 months ago.  The ADI controller will replace my defective instrument and 

 will also provide the same flight information...plus more.



 I did a search for autopilot on the Kitfox forum.  It didn't return much 

 other than using RC parts.  I would appreciate any information regarding 

 installation, etc if you  have an ADI or similar autopilot.  I will also 

 give a report on the installation and function upon completion.



 Merry Christmas to all!



 Travis   



 --------

 Travis Rayner

 Mobile, AL

 Skystar Vixen

 N-789DF





 Read this topic online here:



 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=154177#154177

JohnA

Joined: 22 Dec 2007
Posts: 26
Location: Woodland, CA

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 6:52 am Post subject: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen

Deke,

Do you have pictures of the autopilot installation?  I'm curious where you 

would have placed the servos.



John Alexander

Woodland, CA

On Wed, 26 Dec 2007 06:43:57 -0500, fox5flyer wrote

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 Travis, I can't say much more than "Go For It"!   For long trips 

 there is nothing like having an autopilot, especially at night, in 

 turbulence, and when you need to spend a lot of time referencing 

 charts, keeping your outside scan going, etc.  IMO, one of the 

 biggest advantages is the backup safety factor you have if you ever 

 get stuck on top of a cloud deck while low on fuel, haze over water, 

 or any other situation where you find yourself with big problems and 

 need to keep the wings level.  I have the Tru-Trak ADI artificial 

 horizon (no a/p) and about all I can say about it is that it works 

 perfectly and factory support is superb.  I have it interfaced with 

 my Garmin 196 so it also reads the ground track on the digital 

 readout.  It's even cheaper than the RC Allen units that work for a 

 short time then have to be sent back for repair. Good luck and keep 

 us apprised of your progress. Deke Morisse Mikado Michigan 

 S5/Subaru/CAP 355+ TT "Nothing will ever be attempted, if all 

 possible objections must first be overcome".- Samuel Johnson

 

 >

_________________
John Alexander
Woodland, CA

Fox5flyer
Guest

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 8:23 am Post subject: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen

I probably wasn't clear, but I have only the ADI artificial horizon with NO 

autopilot.

My apologies.

Deke



---

Michel

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 966
Location: Norway

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 1:53 pm Post subject: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen

On Dec 26, 2007, at 12:43 PM, fox5flyer wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   I have the Tru-Trak ADI artificial horizon (no a/p) and about all I 

 can say about it is that it works perfectly and factory support is 

 superb.


	


I can confirm that. Once, my TruTrak turn coordinator didn't work 

(stayed blocked in a turn) and I sent an email to the factory asking if 

they could service it and how long it would take. Two hours later I had 

an answer: Send your instrument and we send you a new one immediately!

Now folks, you have to understand that I live in Norway and that it is 

not usual to get such service across the pond. This was fantastic!

To end the story, I went to the hangar to remove the instrument, then 

decided to try it again just once. It worked this time! The mistake was 

mine: I don't have a switch for the instruments. When I start my 

engine, the TruTrak is on but suffers a voltage drop. That, sometimes 

(it has only happened twice in maybe 150 starts) can cause an error. 

It's then a simple matter to switch it off and on again.

Anyway, I am very pleased with the instrument and the service from that 

company. I can recommend them.



Cheers,

Michel Verheughe

Norway

Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200

_________________
Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200

kirkhull(at)kc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 3:10 pm Post subject: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen

I did not want to offend any one.  I guess that I am the rare type who likes

to fly.  I also will do long trips in my classic 4 but would rather fly it.

I have flown a variety of aircraft from twins on down to the fox and I keep

flying the fox for the fun of flying it.  That is just me.  



--

FlyboyTR

Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 215
Location: Mobile, Alabama

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 3:28 pm Post subject: Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen

Kirk,

No offense taken!    I enjoy my Kitfox and love to "putt" around in it.  In the past I have greatly enjoyed being able to plot a course via GPS, flip a switch and kick back and relax...and also be able keep a more vigilant eye outside the cockpit.   I miss that when flying 400 miles nonstop!   Could be the mileage (mine)!...I feel certain it's not the age!     Again, no offense taken...just another point of view that was appreciated!



Travis

_________________
Travis Rayner
Mobile, AL
Skystar Vixen, N-789DF
Continental IO-240, Prince P-Tip Prop
ADI-II Autopilot
AnyWhereMap Navigation with weather
www.enotam.net (My Flying Info Website)

FlyboyTR

Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 215
Location: Mobile, Alabama

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 3:43 pm Post subject: Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen

Deke,

Glad to hear that you and Michael have been pleased with your ADI products.  I hope my experience is as positive!



Michael...Have you considered installing a main switch for your electronics?  If they have power going to them during start-up and shut-down the voltage spikes can be brutal on them.  It's generally not if...but when!    I'm glad you realized your unit was OK before you pulled it out and sent it off!



I ordered the necessary wire last night.  The ADI-II comes with all the plug in connectors but no wire.  It will require 15 wires running from the ADI head to the servos.  The directional servo takes 7 (five 22 gauge & two 20 gauge wires).  The vertical hold servo takes the same plus 1 extra wire.  Stein Aircraft sells a wire bundle, the 5/2 combination as noted above, for $1.30 per foot specifically for the ADI autopilot installation.  I estimated...although rough... 10 feet for each servo...20 feet total.  I ordered 24'!  I'd much rather have several feet extra...than be 2" short!



Travis

_________________
Travis Rayner
Mobile, AL
Skystar Vixen, N-789DF
Continental IO-240, Prince P-Tip Prop
ADI-II Autopilot
AnyWhereMap Navigation with weather
www.enotam.net (My Flying Info Website)

Michel

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 966
Location: Norway

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 10:12 am Post subject: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen

On Dec 27, 2007, at 12:43 AM, FlyboyTR wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   Michael...Have you considered installing a main switch for your 

 electronics?


	


.. ahem! Yes, I should. But since I've become a grand-father, I don't 

have so much time and whenever I am at the airfield ... I feel more 

like flying! 



Cheers,

Michel Verheughe

Norway

Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200

_________________
Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200

FlyboyTR

Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 215
Location: Mobile, Alabama

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 5:43 pm Post subject: Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen

Point taken! ..understand!  



Travis

_________________
Travis Rayner
Mobile, AL
Skystar Vixen, N-789DF
Continental IO-240, Prince P-Tip Prop
ADI-II Autopilot
AnyWhereMap Navigation with weather
www.enotam.net (My Flying Info Website)

FlyboyTR

Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 215
Location: Mobile, Alabama

Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:14 am Post subject: Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen

OK...The Autopilot arrived this past Monday.  Looks good and was very well packaged for shipping.  The "manual" has a lot of information...but absolutely no detail on how the parts/brackets, push tubes, etc...go together.  Fortunately it's not rocket science!  After a few minutes of studying the various parts it was all pretty much straight forward (although a nice diagram would have been comforting).  



The template for the panel cutout is not to scale.  I copied it, pasted it to Word and then enlarged it till the scale was correct.  The outside dimensions of the ADI unit are slightly larger than the Turn/Bank indicator it is replacing.  I have six primary switches under this instrument.  I had to elongate the switch/panel holes (downward) so the ADI unit would fit.  Now I’ve got to figure out how to cover those ugly gaps above the switch mounting nuts!



I have started on the wiring harness.  I ordered the wire from Stein Air as mentioned in an earlier post.  Stein Air will build the harness for you for around $200.  It is possible that may be a real bargain by the time I am finished with the soldering, fitting, etc.



In any case…Still a work in progress.  Finding a mounting location for the servos is turning out to be a challenge!  Hopefully today I will be able to get to that point.  I will be taking pictures of the installation, etc and will report as I move forward.



Travis

_________________
Travis Rayner
Mobile, AL
Skystar Vixen, N-789DF
Continental IO-240, Prince P-Tip Prop
ADI-II Autopilot
AnyWhereMap Navigation with weather
www.enotam.net (My Flying Info Website)

Tom Jones

Joined: 12 Mar 2006
Posts: 752
Location: Ellensburg, WA

Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:31 am Post subject: Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen

 	  Quote: 	
		  I had to elongate the switch/panel holes (downward) so the ADI unit would fit. Now I’ve got to figure out how to cover those ugly gaps above the switch mounting nuts! 	




Travis, when I cut the hole in my panel for the altimeter I made the notch for the adjustment knob on the wrong side.  I filled it with hysol mixed with lots of flox.  Cannot see the repair when painted and it is hard as a rock.

_________________
Tom Jones
Classic IV
503 Rotax, 72 inch Two blade Warp
Ellensburg, WA

FlyboyTR

Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 215
Location: Mobile, Alabama

Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:43 am Post subject: Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen

Tom,

Thanks for that tidbit of info!  I am not familiar with those products...but will do a search and educate myself.  Thanks again!



Travis

_________________
Travis Rayner
Mobile, AL
Skystar Vixen, N-789DF
Continental IO-240, Prince P-Tip Prop
ADI-II Autopilot
AnyWhereMap Navigation with weather
www.enotam.net (My Flying Info Website)

n85ae

Joined: 14 Mar 2007
Posts: 403

Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:06 am Post subject: Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen

First time you try flying your Kitfox, and pee'ing into a container at the

same time you'll be REALLY happy you have the autopilot. 



Regards,

Jeff

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