Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net> (Marvin Kaye)
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 09:15:41 -0500
Message-ID: <redirect-2897153@logan.com>
From: Dan O'Brien <danobrien@cox.net>
Subject: Further to further to...regarding autopilots.
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 >George has the airplane and is following a GPS track.

 >1. T/C fails....George does not care.
 >2. Vaccum System Fails taking A/I and D/G with it....George still 
plugging along.
 >3.  GPS Fails.....George says OK if you don't want to help I will do it 
by myself. Continues to fly the plane >using last heading, Magnetic.

Yup.  George TruTrak has a wonderful feature in that he is driven by 
another gryo that is completely independent of the other systems.  This is 
a BIG advantage over other autopilots.

 >4. Total electrical failure....George stops and asks if you want to go to 
backup power and let him fly the plane >while you sort things out.  It is 
Night IMC I think I will accept his offer.    George takes the plane again.

If you wire your airplane according to Bob Knuckolls'  Z-13 or Z-14 at 
aeroelectric.com, you'll have three (a battery and two alternators) or four 
(two of each) units that generate current, and safeguards that make the 
probability of total electric failure, and thus autopilot failure, 
infinitessimal.  Better to worry about being hit by a car crossing the street.

Note that George TruTrak is not "certified." ...Thank goodness.