I have the Sys 30 in my Arrow...here are a few things I learned since the original install:
Have the "mode" function remoted to a button on the yoke along with the "disconnect" button and altitude "hold" button. Originally only the last two were on the yoke and pushing the mode/turn knob on the "turn coordinator (TC)" was awkward.
The status lights in the TC are very bright at night. It is not straight forward wiring them to the panel or radio lights on Pipers because the aircraft circuits are common emitter and not a simple rheostat and the TC lights are simply +V to bulb to ground. The avionics guys had to add a circuit to couple the TC lights to the panel lights but it is not optimum.
The System 30 "TC" is slightly larger than the original TC and after much agony I determined that the closest panel light socket was touching the TC case thus popping the panel light circuit breaker (again due to the non-grounded nature of the Piper panel light sockets). Be sure the installer orients the panel light socket so that there is adequate clearance to the TC.
If it's legal to do so, I'd ask for the installation of a switch to mute the beeper that S-Tec provides that announces (loudly!!) that the aircraft trim needs adjusting. The constant beeping is annoying especially in turbulence. I find the blinking light in the TC catches my eye okay.
Other than that (and the price!!) I love the System 30!
I had a little additional work done but the basic System 30, including a new heading indicator with "bug" plus the altitude hold, installed, was about $10.5 K. Well worth it in my opinion since I fly solo 99% of the time, at night and IFR.
Jim and Bob, could be that you are each referring to something different. The Alt30 is a altitude hold product only, usually sold as an add-on to a single axis autopilot. The STEC-30 is the two-axis autopilot with altitude hold (includes the Alt30 function). I'm guessing the Alt30 would be about $5K installed.
I have the S-Tec 30 ALT (the altitude hold unit only) installed in my Piper turbo-Arrow. It was there when I bought the plane, but it has never really worked well, and I hardly use it. It is easier to hand control the altitude (and let the autopilot fly the headings), than to use the S-Tec 30 ALT.
The problem is that I am constantly adjusting the trim to keep the unit from squawking. It only works well in absolutely smooth air, and even then requires constant attention. In any kind of turbulence it is useless. I suspect that it is out of adjustment, or needs repair of some sort.
How well should this thing fly? What happens if there is a bump that throws the aircraft off it's altitude...does it correct and then hold the altitude? What happens if the altimeter is re-set to a new altitude setting...does the unit correct and recapture the original assigned altitude? How much turbulance can it handle?
Marty - once you get the 30 ALT installed a get a chance to try it out, how about a review? I'm planning on putting one in myself, but Rick's post now has me thinking. Let us know.
