#KFC 200 INSTALL MANUAL HOW TO#
#KFC 200 INSTALL MANUAL UPGRADE#
#KFC 200 INSTALL MANUAL SERIES#

On the downside, a digital computer sees things in steps, which can be coarse, like a low resolution picture.

#KFC 200 INSTALL MANUAL HOW TO#

Connect a laptop to the autopilot and teach it how to fly the airplane its installed in. It also makes the certification and the aircraft specific programming easier, because it can all be done with a computer. This serves to make the units smaller, because a processor takes the place of dozens of discrete parts. Like the KFC 150-series, the KFC 225 is a digital autopilot, not because it has numbers, like a digital watch, but because it uses microprocessors to compute and control the autopilots actions. Thats great news for those who want a high performance autopilot to match the aircraft capability. In a move that diverges from Bendix/Kings policy of only certifying autopilots in airplanes that are in production, AlliedSignal is pursuing a KFC 225 STC for the Aerostar. The KFC 200, although still supported, has been effectively discontinued and since its in the general price range of the 225 anyway, we cant make an argument to buy the 200 over the 225, even if you can find a new unit. To date it has been certified in Piper Malibu/Mirage (in lieu of KFC150) and the Raytheon Bonanza and Barons where it will take over from the popular KFC 200.Bendix/King says many more certifications are planned, with the Mooney Ovation and Bravo due in the short term. However, it will have to muscle aside S-TEC products in the mid-range and that wont be easy.ĪlliedSignals KFC225 is the latest in high-performance autopilots. Instead of the ubiquitous elevator chimes, these systems will announce, Autopilot disconnect.Īlthough certified only for the Cessna at the moment, we suspect the KAP 140 will eventually find its way into the general light aircraft GA market.

One feature in the KAP 140 and in the newer KFC 225 that tickles us are the vocal alerts. In approach mode, the KAP 140 will track glideslope. If you have a two-axis system, you get vertical speed hold as well as altitude capture and hold. The KAP 140 offers roll modes of heading select, nav and approach, as well as back course. It uses the typical Bendix/King servos, but the system relies on conventional DGs and turn coordinators provided by other manufacturers, not the specialized attitude gyros found in higher-priced Bendix/King autopilots. No remote boxes here so its a relatively simple install. The latest entrant from Bendix/King, the KFC225, is tailored to high-performance aircraft such as Barons, the Piper Mirage and, we suspect, other high-performance singles to come.Starting with the basics, KAP140 is a rate-based one- or two-axis system with a radio rack-mounted computer-controller unit, the KC140. The KAP 140 debuted with the new crop of single-engine Cessnas and for all intents and purposes, its a Cessna-only autopilot for the time being. We mention the age of the KFC150 and variants (KAP100, KAP150), because only in the last three years have there been new general aviation autopilots from AlliedSignal (King Radios purchaser and absorber). The company has some of the most successful systems, including the KFC 200 and the now 20-year-old digital autopilot, the KFC 150. The company has introduced some new stuff since we last examined autopilots and were told more developments are in the works.Heres our point-in-time assessment of whats out there now:King Radio started making autopilots 30 years ago and under AlliedSignal, Bendix/King has carried the flag forward. Meanwhile, S-TEC continues to impress buyers with its modular approach to autopilot design and marketing. Notably, AlliedSignal recently rolled out its new KFC 225, a premium George aimed at the high performance market.

Although the field of players hasnt changed a great deal, there are new entrants into the world of computer-aided piloting. Outside of these, haven’t found anything else to complain about.It seems that hardly a week passes without a new GPS navigator appearing, but the world of autopilots progresses at a relatively glacial pace.

#KFC 200 INSTALL MANUAL SERIES#

GTN series may do a better job with this. Leaving it in HDG with GPSS selected, it cuts the corner and lines up. On RNAV/GPS approach, you have to stay on HDG select on autopilot until you’ve turned onto final course inbound before arming approach or it will overshoot and it will return on course. Hard when ATC gives a vector bouncing around in IMC. There are a couple of gotchas we’ve found. Altitude bug and flight director are intuitive. Matt: my partner and I really like the dual 275s.

#KFC 200 INSTALL MANUAL UPGRADE#

We are planning to upgrade to the discrete switch and software probably this winter. Yes, at the time there was no STC allowing a HDG/GPSS discrete switch.

Kfc 200 install manual