Moog company Genesys Aerosystems has sold its S-TEC 3100 retrofit autopilot to Pennsylvania-based Innovative Aerosystems. The 3100 is S-TEC’s first all-digital GA aftermarket autopilot and for some users it was an attractive upgrade from aging analog S-TEC systems, partly because it can use the existing legacy autopilot servos—curtailing the installation. Unlike legacy rate-based S-TEC models, the full-featured all-digital (except for the servos) 3100 promised to be a better performer with its AHRS-based pitch and roll theory of operation that was compatible with Aspen and Garmin display outputs. Plus, unlike legacy S-TEC models, it has envelope protection, airspeed hold, plus a straight-and-level upset recovery mode.
At press time, we couldn’t connect with Innovative Aerosystems to learn more about its plans for supporting the fleet of installed 3100 autopilots and what might be next for the autopilot. While the 3100’s installation base is overshadowed by Garmin’s GFC 500, the autopilot is approved for a variety of airframes—including single- and multi-engine Cessnas, the Piper PA-32 and PA-46, and some Beech Bonanzas. In its press release the company said, “By adding this autopilot product line to our portfolio, we are expanding our flight control capabilities, strengthening long-term customer support, and creating new opportunities for integration across current and future platforms.”
Innovative Aerosystems (previously IS&S until rebranding last year) makes a variety of retrofit and OEM avionics, including the ThrustSense autothrottle system for Beech King Air 200 and 300 series turboprops and for the Pilatus PC-12NG turboprop single. There’s also the Avio IFMS flight management system for Eclipse 500/500 light jets. That’s an Eclipse 550 cockpit pictured here.
If they want the Stec 3100 to gain market traction, they need to add a lot more airframes to the approved list. We looked at upgrading our Stec 55Xs to 3100s, but at least at the time, they didn’t support the PA-28 airframe. It seems to be marketed for more high-end aircraft.
Agree completely. I had hoped that this autopilot would have been STC’d for my piper archer. After being told by Genesys that I needed to get 15 of my friends together to do this, I was less than impressed.
I have both aspen and 3100 in my bonanza. Early adopter and happy with both. My sense is garmin has captured the market for both making my system good but and oddball for years to come. Why else would Genesys sell the line and what likely suppressed them certifying more in low end market.
Interesting. I came very close to installing the 3100, having an S-Tec 60-2 in my Bonanza as well as an Aspen. The upgrade was only around $12,000 then, non-installed, and would have included overhaul of my existing S-Tec servos, which costs >$2000 each and my experience has been they each need overhaul every 7-10 years. I was really interested in an attitude-based upgrade from my rate-based 60-2 as it could give a smoother ride. I decided against the 3100 for three reasons. There were so many unhappy owners on BeechTalk that could not get the autopilot working properly after multiple trips back to the avionics shop. Some went all the to S-Tec after struggling locally. I did read about very happy customers, though. The second reason is lack of redundancy. I’ve had a few Aspen failures in flight. If the Aspen fails connected to a 3100, the 3100 will not work, despite having two internal AHRS of its own. When my Aspen fails is the most important time for my autopilot to work. I pointed this major issue out to Aspen, and they said they could work on a “limp home” mode, wing leveler +/- altitude hold in the event of Aspen failure, but every year I called they had failed to do so. My 60-2 was working well and for the type of flying I do is perfectly fine. After > 25 years of owning the Bonanza I’ve learned not to mess with something that isn’t broken. Lastly, the 3100 has a typical radio stack mount and my stack was full and there was nothing I was willing to part with. Too bad they never came out with a control head for the 3100 that would fit in the same 3 1/8″ panel-mounted controller as the 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60 series autopilots. I suggested it to them years ago and they said it was a good idea and they’d pass it up to administration. When speaking to them, though, it always seemed like there was not enough money to work on further developments, or even approvals, of the 3100.
I put one in my PA32 last year. I love and I hope this company supports it for a looong time!
Will they be supporting the old stuff? Are they going to be selling and rebuilding the motors? This could be good news. Hard to say at this point. Looking forward to more information