Adding AP

[jflyboy]

How bad is adding an AutoPilot to existing airframe? RV-7a.

What AutoPilot is best bang for buck? Trio? Dynon? Trutrack?

Thanks, I’m right of first refusal on a low time RV-7a that has early dynon d-100 & d-180

Edit: I have decided to pass on the plane, also it had 2x D10 units not the D100/180 as initially thought. Regardless appreciate the responses always amazed how quickly y'all help!

[pa38112]

The difficulty depends on your skill-set. I did not find it difficult, but it will take some time.

TrueTrack is the best bang for the buck, and is an awesome autopilot. But it really depends on what avionics the plane already has that you will be connecting to...

[bruceh]

It isn't hard to add the servos. The pitch servo lives back in the fuselage behind the baggage bulkhead. The roll servo is mounted in the right wing. Roll servo is a little tighter space to work in, but very doable.
Running the AP wires through the wing might be the hardest part. I would consider updating the Dynons to Skyview. You can find pretty good deals on used equipment here. Dynon sells all of the mounting hardware to make it a bolt on addition.

[BobTurner]

I vote for the Trio Pro. If you have electric pitch trim the Trio will even handle that. Their servos use a slip clutch rather than the trouble prone shear screw in the TT. And when it’s disconnected it’s really disconnected, no stepper motor in the loop. TT is now part of a larger company, future a bit uncertain(?). Only real issue is panel space: TT 2 1/4” hole, Trio 3 1/8” hole (or rack mount). If you upgrade your panel a directly EFIS driven autopilot will be less expensive as all the attitude info is already in the efis box. But of course you lose redundancy. A lot depends on your anticipated use, from just vfr cruise flight to ifr approaches.

[wirejock]

No sweat. There's gotta be a builder nearby. Worst part is routing wire but that's an opportunity to learn. Wing servo is tight space but I've had mine in an out a couple times. Consider integrating trim servos. Most systems auto-trim now.

[drill_and_buck]

If budget is a consideration you could buy two Dynon servos and connect them to the D-180.

The bigger question is what is going to drive the AP? You will need a GPS enabled moving map for flight plans, etc. Ideally one that will display weather and traffic. Budget minded options to consider would be the Garmin Area 760 or Ifly 740. There are also older GPS models available on the used market that could also easily work.

All it takes is time, money and effort!

[like2speed]

Originally Posted by jflyboy

How bad is adding an AutoPilot to existing airframe? RV-7a.

What AutoPilot is best bang for buck? Trio? Dynon? Trutrack?

Thanks, I’m right of first refusal on a low time RV-7a that has early dynon d-100 & d-180

Edit: I have decided to pass on the plane, also it had 2x D10 units not the D100/180 as initially thought. Regardless appreciate the responses always amazed how quickly y'all help!

I will be removing a Treo Pro Pilot, servos, mounts, and wiring from my RV-9A in the next few weeks as I do some instrument upgrades. All of this will be for sale if you are interested.