Trio Pro - Pilot

Post by **Spike** » Sun May 10, 2009 3:40 pm

I am getting ready to spend smore money and was wondering if anyone went with the Trio autopilot systems? I'm about sold on the pro-pilot but am wondering how long until they get their support out for GPSS & GPSV.

Spike

Speed3Guy · Post by **Speed3Guy** » Mon May 11, 2009 11:31 am

I've got the Trio roll axis autopilot and am quite happy with it. I went with Trio because I believe they have a superior servo design. I don't think you can go wrong with either Trio or TruTrak though.

Guy

Post by **Spike** » Tue May 12, 2009 8:29 am

I talked to Trio for a while yesterday and confirmed that they are the way I want go. I should have their servos in a few days. I am very impressed with their servos and having spent some time with them at SNF a few years ago I feel they have superior booth / phone support skills. I could never really get TruTrak to engage with me in a friendly manor.

The big outstanding item that Trio is working on is ARINC support for GPSS/GPSV and based upon my talk with them I am comfy with their progress.

Spike

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Tue May 12, 2009 8:40 am

I decided to go with Trio servos as well Spike...I had the panel all cut out for a TT ADI II, but the servos for Trio are REALLY nice. Gold Standard! They are partnered with MGL for their AP, so it makes sense for me to go this route too!

Post by **bullojm1** » Tue May 12, 2009 9:55 am

I decided to go with the TruTrak autopilot mainly because of its small form factor. I just didn't have room in my panel for another 3 1/8" instrument! On top of that, they have a great reputation and a very large install base. Plus they have all of the GPSS/GPSV/ ARINC support already. Additionally, they play very well with my EFIS -- all things that are important. I don't think you can go bad with either vendor, but each one of them might have a better fit for the airplane/panel/EFIS they are being installed with.

Spike wrote: The big outstanding item that Trio is working on is ARINC support for GPSS/GPSV and based upon my talk with them I am comfy with their progress.

A long time ago I gave up on taking a vendors word on a new feature coming out. GRT promised their ARINC support for the Sport EFIS back in November, then December, and it didn't ship until about 2 months ago. AFS has had some delays in their 4500 series. I think Dynon was promising their NextGen EFIS to be ready by this spring too. The list can go on and on. My point is if you absolutely need a feature, go with the vendor that has it. If you design a panel around a product that isn't shipping with its full feature list, you might be disappointed.

Post by **Spike** » Wed May 13, 2009 10:42 am

bullojm1 wrote:I decided to go with the TruTrak autopilot mainly because of its small form factor. I just didn't have room in my panel for another 3 1/8" instrument!

I suspect that this will change sometime in the not too distant future.

Spike

Post by **bullojm1** » Wed May 13, 2009 2:10 pm

Spike wrote: I suspect that this will change sometime in the not too distant future.

Just like an alternative for 100LL or a low cost alternative engine?

smithhb · Post by **smithhb** » Wed May 13, 2009 2:17 pm

Spike,

I feel there is little difference between Trio and TruTrak in terms of quality. I went with TruTrak simply because it was recommended by Advanced Flight Systems as tested and working well with their systems.

Have you decided on an EFIS system yet? Are you sure?

Post by **Spike** » Wed May 13, 2009 9:13 pm

As of today AFT Advanced Deck. What part of their quality did you think fell short of Tru Tracks?

John

smithhb · Post by **smithhb** » Thu May 14, 2009 9:37 am

All I know is when I configured and tested out the TruTrak, the AFS arinc sees it with no problem. AFS also tells you the configuration settings to program in the TT. All their testing has been with the TT.

Trio is not as capable as the TT...Yet. I'll let you know how well it couples with the WAAS glideslope soon!

Post by **Spike** » Thu May 14, 2009 9:40 am

Ok, so sounds like you really don't know of any difference in quality, just that TT is farther along in functionality department. That I knew about.

Spike

Womack2005 · Post by **Womack2005** » Mon May 18, 2009 9:19 am

Isn't there a difference in the two servos? Something about a better clutch in the trio? I remember hearing that the TruTrack servo did not have a real clutch?

Post by **Spike** » Mon May 18, 2009 11:09 am

Yeah, the Trio servos have a clutch that you override. According to the Tru Trak guys they have a shear pin. The Trio also has a soleniod that completely disconnects the servo arm from the drive mechanism.

I got my servos on Friday and had the roll servo in the wing on Saturday. I was pretty pleased with the whole setup.

Spike

Speed3Guy · Post by **Speed3Guy** » Mon May 18, 2009 1:09 pm

Womack2005 wrote:Isn't there a difference in the two servos? Something about a better clutch in the trio? I remember hearing that the TruTrack servo did not have a real clutch?

There is one gear in the Trio servo that is held in place with a solenoid. When you remove power from the Trio servo, the solenoid releases and that part of the gear train is removed. That way you are not moving the servo unless the system is energized. The fact that the Trio head has a mechanical switch on it means that there is no software between you and the mechanical servo disconnect. I really like that. Even with the servo engaged, you can overpower the slip clutch on the Trio with no ill effects. I know a Guy that rolled his RV-8A with his Trio roll axis AP engaged.

No problems.

If I understand the TruTrak system correctly, the servo is always engaged, just not energized when the system is off. If you overpower the system, you shear the shear pin.

Guy