I cannot find any information on the use and operating of this autopilot. Anybody that can direct me to a web site with operating info will be appreciated.
The questions most relevant to me are:
can the unit be coupled to the Garmin GPS's for approach and enroute?
is there an alt hold function? if not can one be installed?
The unit will track any NAV, GPS included. It will do approaches if set to LOC mode, but will not make the turns on a GPS approach unless you also adjust the DG at the same time a turn is called for. When tracking any NAV or doing any approach, the DG needs to be within about 10 degrees of the course you are tracking. If you put it exactly on the tracked heading, it may weave a bit, but if you set it 5 to 10 degrees right or left of the tracked heading it won't weave (zig-zag). If you set it like that, it will also do a very good job of dealing with a crosswind.
It does not have altitude hold, but you can add an S-TEC unit to it if you like.
I have one in my Arrow and it works very well with my Garmin 530W and tracks the #2 NAV as well. You probably have a very little toggle switch on your panel under your yoke that controls which NAV it tracks (1 or 2).
If you add GPSS converter to the game the good ole century III will track the magenta line of your gps and fly the entire approach. You can toggle the gpss between heading bug mode and gps mode. i am using the 430 with gpss and the century. Great stuff. Just added an s-tec 60 pss for alt hold, vs and gs capture. Works really well. I am adding alt pre-select as we speak.
Now I got what I wanted and could afford (stec 55x would have been too much for me). One day, when century goes down the drain, I will put in an stec 60.
Dave, Penn Avionics has a great short movie on the operations of the Century IIIB auto pilot. Well worth watching. If the link doesnt work, you can find the movie in the "Whats New" section of the web page under Avionics Demo videos. I learned quite a bit. [www.pennavionics.com]
Pat that Penn Avionics video was great. I'm having a 530 installed and hooked up to the existing Century autopilot with an Icarus Sam GPSS. I'm looking forward to seeing how it works out but this video gave me some confidence in my choice. Thanks.
Good to hear that too, Steve. Any tips on the best way to learn how to use that setup once I get it. I've got the 530 Simulator from Garmin but figure there has to be an easier way. I'm an experienced IFR pilot on the gauges but want to get full use out of the 530W and not revert to what I know and feel comfortable with.
I got the 430 and the DAC GPSS integrated with the century IIIB. Works great!
Here is another thought (worth 2 cents): instead of throwing $2000 at DAC and integration I would put in another $7000 and buy Aspen Avionics EFD 1000 Pro. Not only is it glass (AI, HSI) - it also comes with a GPSS converter!!
Simulator for sure. I spent 2 hours (simulated) running around the navaids and approaches at my home airport. It forces you to use the GPS tools instead of the needles.
The OBS function (if you have an HSI) is absolutely the best tool in the world for holds.
Yes... the Aspen unit is wonderful... apparently installation still isn't exactly cheap - 5K or something. So with the Pro (10K) + install, it's still a 15K upgrade.
