Autopilot on Cruisemaster 14-19-2

Jan Zatloukal

New member
Does anybody know of single time STC for installation of single axis
autopilot such as Britain Wing Leveler on 14-19-2 ? I believe these were installed on some 14-19-3 Cruisemasters. Jan
 
Thanks for reply. Is it worth the expense for installation? Do You have a setup that tracks your GPS or Nav receiver? Do You use it for IFR flying? I will contact Brittain to find out how much would the STC cost. Thanks Jan.
 
It is a wing leveler (Levelmatic in their parlance), but you can add a tracking device that will follow a VOR or GPS heading, compensating for crosswind. No altitude hold (single axis only) and no coupling; you need to turn the steering knob or disable the device and use the yoke to change to a new course.

It came with my 'Master and I had it rebuilt. Mine is venturi powered, though I'm sure any vacuum source would do, and is guided by the turn coordinator. I've not yet had the tracker installed.

Cost for the wing leveler would probably run 4-5 grand installed, including the STC. Plus it's not easy to find someone who will work on Brittain systems. Although I've yet to fly my 'Master in IFR yet as I've been attending to other things on the airplane. While not up to modern standards, the wing leveler - combined with the Cruisemaster's natural tendency to fly as if on rails at speed - is impressive. You can futz with lots of charts, plates and for such for quite some time with it engaged just fine - longer so if you're not burning off the aux.

It's the only system approved for 'Masters. We are, as a fleet, too few to warrant the likes of S-Tec to even consider creating an STC for us. Finally, gaining a one time STC for an autopilot is nearly impossible, and would end up costing more than the airplane is worth even if you could, alas.

Jonathan
 
Thank You for detailed reply, I will contact Brittain and see how much they want for it. I am installing IFR GPS in my Cruisemaster and could do installation at the same time, by myself with assistance of my IA. Jan
 
Back
Top