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Lynn Matteson
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan
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 Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:20 am Post subject: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen |
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Been there, done that, w/no autopilot. Later, told my flight
instructor about the plane suddenly going nose-down, and he
(laughingly) said "The CG changed that much?" (I had bumped the stick
forward) Entry in logbook states "First airborne pitstop"
Lynn Matteson
Grass Lake, Michigan
Kitfox IV Speedster w/Jabiru 2200
flying w/460+ hrs
do not archive
On Jan 16, 2008, at 11:06 AM, n85ae wrote:
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_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM |
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FlyboyTR
Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 215
Location: Mobile, Alabama
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| Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 12:28 pm Post subject: Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen |
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I have completed the install of the autopilot. No major headaches or fabrication needed. However....I so apologize!!!! When we finished everything it was a cold rainy day (our hanger is open on two sides). After we cleaned up all the tools, etc. Kathy pulled out the camera, and after that...dead battery warning! We did not take ANY pictures. Since I had the help, we put the plane back together and flew it the next day.
We made a few control adjustments while in flight (changing the torque and movement speeds of the servos). This is done at the control head and is actually quite easy to do. We locked on altitude at 2,000' and it did not change by more than 10' up or down. It also held us on course and making directional changes are easy. We took it down to 800' because it was really turbulent at that altitude. Altitude +/- 20 and it held the course heading. We had to increase the lateral adjustment (how fast the servo responds and moves). After that it did a fantastic job of keeping the wings level even though it was a rough ride. At present...I have no complaints about the ADI Pilot II. I'm just glad it is installed...and I'm thrilled.
The main servo is mounted on the left side of the fuselage behind the seat, attached with Adell clamps to the two V shaped tubes. The elevator servo is also behind the seat just above the push/pull tubs. It is also mounted to the structural tubes in that location. The pushrod is attached to the elevator pushrod under the seat.
When we pull the plane down for it's next 100 hour inspection I will take lots of pictures with printed detail and post them. I really feel bad that i was unable to take the pictures...but I had help and didn't want to delay the test flight.
If you have any specific questions, please ask!
Travis 
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
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_________________
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)
Last edited by FlyboyTR on Sun Jan 27, 2008 4:48 am; edited 1 time in total |
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JohnA
Joined: 22 Dec 2007
Posts: 26
Location: Woodland, CA
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| Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 6:36 pm Post subject: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen |
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Travis,
I'm planning to install a Tru-trak ADI-II right out the chute when I
build my Kitfox. I would really appreciate any pics that you have of
the install.
John Alexander
FlyboyTR wrote:
| Quote: |
I have completed the install of the autopilot. No major headaches or fabrication needed. However....I so apologize!!!! When we finished everything it was a cold rainy day (our hanger is open on two sides). After we cleaned up all the tools, etc. Kathy pulled out the camera, and after that...dead battery warning! We did not take ANY pictures. Since I had the help, we put the plane back together and flew it the next day.
We made a few control adjustments while in flight (changing the torque and movement speeds of the servos). This is done at the control head and is actually quite easy to do. We locked on altitude at 2,000' and it did not change by more than 10' up or down. It also held us on course and making directional changes are easy. We took it down to 800' because it was really turbulent at that altitude. Altitude +/- 20 and it held the course heading. We had to increase the lateral adjustment (how fast the servo responds and moves). After that it did a fantastic job of keeping the wings level even though it was a rough ride. At present...I have no complaints about the ADI Pilot II. I'm just glad it is installed...and I'm thrilled.
The main servo is mounted on the left side of the fuselage behind the seat, attached with Adell clamps to the two V shaped tubes. The elevator servo is also behind the seat just above the push/pull tubs. It is also mounted to the structural tubes in that location. The pushrod is attached the elevator pushrod under the seat.
When we pull the plane down for it's next 100 hour inspection I will take lots of pictures with printed detail and post them. I really feel bad that i was unable to take the pictures...but I had help and didn't want to delay the test flight.
If you have any specific questions, please ask!
Travis
--------
Travis Rayner
Mobile, AL
Skystar Vixen
N-789DF
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=160586#160586
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_________________
John Alexander
Woodland, CA |
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Fox5flyer
Guest
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 4:41 am Post subject: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen |
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Thanks for the report, Travis. After you get a few hours on it, please give
us another update.
Deke Morisse
Mikado Michigan
S5/Subaru/CAP 355+ TT
"The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress."
- Joseph Joubert
do not archive
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FlyboyTR
Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 215
Location: Mobile, Alabama
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| Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 10:12 am Post subject: Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen |
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The follow-up report on the ADI-II autopilot is rather short and sweet. I am very satisfied with the performance of this unit. It will hold the altitude +/- 10 feet…even in very rough air! It also maintains the selected course heading without fail and adjustments in heading are easily accomplished. I hate to admit it….but this thing flies better than I do! If I had to compare the “bang to the buck” and face the “would I do it all over again?” question…the answer would be a definite YES. For our longer flights it has become a lifesaver. Even on local flights…and/or around the patch, it is great to be able to just let go of everything for a few seconds, minutes or hours and tend to other business! From a safety standpoint, I feel that I am now able to focus more attention outside the cockpit, charts, navigation, etc. Great stuff! …Honestly…I had forgotten how much I enjoyed having an autopilot in the past. It just didn’t seem like a necessary item (for me) to have on our Vixen. …I was wrong!
My only complaint…When trying to fly slow (usually when flying with the 75 MPH & under crowd…) and in rough air, is not the best nor most comfortable feeling. It feels very squirrely and/or mushy…with a lot of yaw. It really cranks the plane around! Think of being VERY over controlled. I really don’t know how to describe it…other than we DON’T like the feeling! I can change the rate (or how fast it responds to heading changes (brought on by rough air) easy enough and this issue will diminish somewhat. I just choose to leave it in its most sensitive mode. However, flying at normal cruise speeds 90 – 120 TAS it is fantastic…no matter how rough the air gets.
The most delicate part is the soldering of the wiring harness. If you are not good at soldering small wires to a computer type plug…pay Stein Air to build your harness for $200.00. …it will be well worth it.
I have the installation pictures completed with descriptions, etc. I have put it in a Power Point Presentation. It is too large to upload here. (one picture attached for example). If you would like a copy please feel free to email me and I will forward it to you. Email is: Flyboytr(at)bellsouth.net Please include "Autopilot" in the subject line. Thanks! If you have any questions or comments (before or after receiving the file), please post them to this forum for the benefit of everyone!
Travis
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413 Time(s) |
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_________________
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) |
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FlyboyTR
Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 215
Location: Mobile, Alabama
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:49 am Post subject: Re: Tru-Trak Autopilot in S5/Vixen |
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Jim Hendrix from Oxaero www.oxaero.com has added a picture of our Vixen to his website and a link to the installation pictures. This is the link to his site and the autopilots: http://www.oxaero.com/TruTrak-AutoPilots.asp Scroll down to the the ADI II for the link to the file. You will see our blue Vixen on the left side of the page.
Travis 
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
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_________________
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) |
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