S-TEC 3100 in flight operations introduction, with Aspen and Avidyne IFD550

Fly along on the first Cessna Cardinal to be certified with the new S-TEC 3100 autopilot from Genesis Aerosystems. First concepts and operation are introduced along with some interaction with my Aspen and Avidyne 550/540 panel.
Also check out the LPV full approach at the end of this trip at this link: • S-Tec 3100, Aspen and ...

[@markwilliams974]

Very helpful, Keith! I'm getting the S-TEC 3100 installed in my Cessna P210 in a few weeks. It's nice to know what to expect.

[@rayberst7796]

Wow, thats a great panel for a skylane or any other plane for that matter. Thanks for the video, I'm considering the 3100 for my C340a based at KARR

[@tnflygirl]

Boy talk about good emergency landing areas where you live. Beautiful.

[@cardinalflyer]

Funny you should mention that! While breaking in my new engine I've been thinking a lot more about that, trying to always have a plan as we were taught. But this time of year those beautiful flat fields can be misleading: Corn will destroy your wings. Beans will tangle up your wheels and likely flip the airplane. Hay is great, as long as you can avoid the big round bales. Still, all of those are better than mountains and trees! Thanks for reminding me of the silver lining.

[@ForkFlight]

Nice! I have a '69 177B that I'm looking to replace steam with glass and a full autopilot. This is helpful.

[@paulmillner]

Fork, is that a '70 177B that was built in 1969, or a '69 177A? No such thing as a year-model '69 177B. :-)

[@ForkFlight]

Ah my mistake. I recently trained in a ‘69 172 and that year was in my head. I have a 1970 177B.

[@steveb5249]

Realy like your panel and thanks for the autopilot demonstration, would like an overview of your panel sometime Regards Steve

[@cardinalflyer]

I've been giving that some thought, thanks!

[@theflightpractitioner7288]

It would be nice of the Aspen could interface with the 3100 such that the altitude, VSI and airspeed bugs on the Aspen could be used for AP targets.

[@cardinalflyer]

It would indeed! Aspen promises to deliver that functionality but has kept moving out the delivery date. Perhaps we should all let them know now much we'd like that to be completed...

[@jclark1842]

Keith, Thanks for taking the time to make your videos! I am thinking about upgrading my 55x to the 3100 as well. Currently, I have an old Collins PN-101 HSI and a new Mid-Continent A/I that I am considering changing to an Aspen PFD. Have you been told by Aspen when the full integration of the S-Tec 3100 (ie. controlling the 3100 from the Aspen, mode annunciations, altitude preselect, etc.) will happen? From what I can tell, the current 55x already works well with the Aspen PFDs.

[@cardinalflyer]

Yes, they have told me that also, and told STEC also. But they keep slipping the date. Last I heard it was going to be 'early 2019' but they have already slipped a year. Both of their current autopilot integrations, from what I was told, were sort of a kludge. Their current project will make it more of an internal system so they can add future autopilots more easily. As a software developer I know how that can be, although such knowledge does not help with patience in the marketplace..

[@dirtdr74]

Hey. Thanks for the videos. Can you share how your trim and AP switches are mounted to your yoke? I am thinking of doing something like that on my 310. Thanks

[@cardinalflyer]

In this video the switches are mounted on a plate which STEC provides along with their autopilot. That plate bolts to the back of the yoke. I had a T-206 yoke at this point but later changed to a Beechcraft yoke which has the switches mounted in the top of the yoke arm. Strangely, I don't seem to have a video about that yet! Something to add soon...

[@ericduberman4758]

Keith, Do you know if it gets it's vertical speed info from the Aspen or from the encoding altimeter. I have a KFC150 now and the vertical speed mode is terrible due to the errors inherent in the encoding altimeter.

[@cardinalflyer]

Hmm... yes, I think it does. Certainly the VS is much more nicely controlled. My 60-2 used the grey codes also and it was a little marginal, the 3100 is much more precise. Better yet, you can set an IAS hold which can then hit the perfect speed even if it isn't on an even hundred fpm. Frankly since I got IAS hold I'm not sure I've really used VS hold...

[@jsh1257]

Keith, Thank you for the videos! I am thinking about upgrading my 55X to the 3100. Can you tell a big difference in the 3100 vs your 60 and was it worth the $$??

[@cardinalflyer]

Yes, it flies the airplane much more decisively, and follows the navigation lines much more accurately. There are also far less mode changes than my 60-2... I can't say how it would compare to the 55X. Frankly, it was probably worth it only for the IAS hold! That really makes a difference.

[@mikemccarron1162]

Just came across your video here and it was interesting, along with a great looking plane you have and panel is really nice set up. I fly out of an airport real close to you called, the landings in Huntley and i have the dual aspen set up in my 71’ arrow. I have the step 40 auto pilot but would really love to go with the 3100, along with replacing my 430W with the avidyne and would like to know Where you have your work done at? Thanks for the video.

[@cardinalflyer]

I know the Landings well, used to have a hangar there before moving to Casa de Aero. I'm a big fan of Mobile Avionics at Lake In The Hills. They understand these things a lot better than many shops, including the computer aspects. Tell Matt I said hello.

[@rigilchrist]

The Cardinal is a lovely aeroplane. Such a shame that Cessna stopped making them.

[@endwood]

Bob Gilchrist The C177 was the smartest looking SE design ever at the time but sales where not that good. Shame though.

[@kevinwarren3998]

I noticed your AP modes are annunciated on the Aspen. I thought that setup would show armed/active modes on the Aspen. Any idea why it doesn't?

[@cardinalflyer]

No, on my installation the autopilot does not yet interface with the Aspen. That development has been underway for a while. As of late 2021 the software is available and certified, but they are still chasing some potential issues with pitch sensitivity so I have not yet done that upgrade.

[@gendaminoru3195]

Have you tried other parameters of envelop protection yet? Is there a pull force on controls at which the servos will disconnect?

[@cardinalflyer]

The servos don't disconnect, but the servo clutch slips. So you can always overpower the autopilot.

[@stephenfraser2521]

Looks very nice. I am trying to decide if to wait for Garmin or go 3100? Very large price difference here in Australia. Have already gone all Garmin GTN, 2 G5’s and a G5 HSI etc etc about to find out next week if they will talk to my old ARC 300A Did you have a 55 fitted before? Making your decision easy? Regards Steve

[@cardinalflyer]

No, I had a 60-2 with altitude pre-select and electric trim. My decision was based on a desire for even better performance and I got it. The 3100 is attitude based, driven by the ADAHRS, where older autopilots were rate based, driven by gyros. It isn't clear that the Garmin will be this capable, and be sure to check the extra interfaces required. The new low-end systems (TruTrak and Trio) are more position based, driven by GPS. For VFR pilots those are great, but for serious IFR it seems worth getting a more capable autopilot from an autopilot company. I am glad I did.

[@stephenfraser2521]

Thanks getting a estimate today expect in Australia installed from scratch $40K

[@allenhilton2564]

Hi Stephen....just had my install completed 2 weeks ago here in AUS. Who are you having quote?

[@stephenfraser2521]

Was a just very rough estimate Complete Avionics are working on a better guess now, I have the ACR 300A still in her now so virtually a new install from scratch, I have no switches on my yoke so may have to replace them also to use all the nifty features now. Could you tell me what you paid and and your past configuration and who did yours? email if you prefer direct [e-mail]

[@shekarkumar7588]

Hi Keith, Very nicely done video. Thank you. I have an A36 with Aspen and would like to upgrade my Autopilot from KAP 150. I am trying to decide between STEC 3100 and Garmin GFC 600. Did you have any problem with Aspen and STEC 3100 integration. Did you have to install additional equipment?

[@cardinalflyer]

My 3100 was installed as part of the certification of the system for the Cardinal. So no, I didn't have any trouble, but there are a couple of boxes required until Aspen gets their software updated. For example the Aspen does not currently output IAS, so a separate box is needed to accomplish that. Same for the flight director. STEC will help you sort out what's needed.

[@Marauder92V]

Keith -- nice video. Any word on the integration with your Aspen? I have a dual Aspen setup and I know the 55X is integrated so that you can select the autopilot's settings from the Aspen. I'll subscribe to your channel as I certainly would see more features of the 3100 as you explore them.

[@cardinalflyer]

Yes, the full integration with the Aspen is expected in an Aspen software release expected in the July timeframe, last we heard. That will provide full sync of modes and settings between the Aspen and the 3100, so all altitude, rate or airspeed selections can be made on the Aspen. Bugs on everything! :-) My panel is already wired, just one attachment and a software load when the time comes.

[@Marauder92V]

Keith Peterson Thanks for the Aspen information. Did you upgrade from a previous STEC product? If so, how does the performance compare?

[@cardinalflyer]

I have a new update on this.. Aspen says they can't get their original hardware to support the full 3100 interface, but promise to do so in the new Max version. Delivery is still TBD... something that Aspen clearly struggles with.

[@scottfranco1962]

I don't understand why they are certifying a Cardinal but not a run of the mill 172!

[@cardinalflyer]

Pretty simple... because CFO, the Cardinal Flyers Online, brought a substantial group of customers. Also the 172 may not be their target market... in fact the Cardinal may be a bit on the edge.

[@tropicthndr]

wow grabbing a waypoint line and rubber banding for a quick change like foreflight, thats already a 1000 time more efficient than G1000 nonsense. Cant stand sitting on the ramp burning up hobbs time loading a flt plan into that stupid G1000, never going back to that over bloated glass cockpit, yours is awesome though.

[@stephenfraser2521]

I had Garmin Flight Stream 210 fitted with my last upgrade to GTN650 all I do is flt plan at home on Ipad Garmin Pilot and when avionics is turned on GTN asks if I wish to upload new plan etc what Keith is doing with rubber banding here can be done now Ipad on my yoke and Trxed direct to GTN. Works beautifully even my ancient 1977 ACR 300A has worked very well with this setup. 3100 would work a whole lot better! Garmin Flight Stream 210 Wirelessly Link your iPad® to Your Avionics Simplifies and streamlines your cockpit management Works with the Garmin Pilot™, ForeFlight Mobile and FltPlan Go apps as well as aera 660/795/796 Enables traffic and weather from your avionics to be viewed on your portable device Easily load flight plans - including airways - from your compatible mobile app to your GTN™ 750/650 series or GNS 430W/530W series navigator (Flight Stream 210 only) Provides GPS location and AHRS backup attitude information

[@cardinalflyer]

That's a funny thing... I do a lot of pre-purchase inspections and at times ride with owners on test flights. The guys with 650s rarely seem to touch them... they do all their work on an Ipad. I watched one guy look up a frequency on his ipad then type it into the 650, guess that's common too. I much prefer to have everything on the panel and easy to use. For instance for frequencies I press the freq button, roll down to the one I want and press the knob. I'm sure you can get used to anything, and clearly preference plays a part. I'm glad you like your flight stream! But I my prefer my Avidynes. Plus they never overheat! :-)

[@stephenfraser2521]

When I was looking for upgrade none of my dealers offered Avidynes in my area in Australia all seem to be pro Garmin here. Have to live with what you have installed. Re overheating??? I live in a hot Tropical location have others had problems never had an issue in the past year??? Lot easier to just bring up the airport on GTN and all there in front of you just touch screen and all done ATIS, Grd, Twr etc in a neat row waiting to be used etc etc. No turning knobs needed. Do believe a lot of GTN owners don't really know all the simple ways to use all its features?? For GTN owners FYI There is a GTN750/650 simulator that you can learn and play around at home to try all the features including flt planning and fully simulated flights (Hint great for IFR practice) and learn what works best for you're flying operations. Actually the disk came with the GTN when you bought It or download it or Ipad version on line.

[@cardinalflyer]

My overheating comment was thinking about the iPad. Like I said, to each their own! I use touch at times on the Avidyne to find and use airport details, as you describe. But flight conditions often make it much easier to press a button or turn a knob. I like having the option.