Shops report long turn-around times, but our experience with the quality of S-TEC repairs is favorable, as is the quality of field technical support. In some cases, Cobham might exchange the computer. This might be required for older computers with obsolete circuit boards.
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That same 55X requiring overhaul has a price of $8441. For instance, a 55X programmer/computer requiring a major level repair, has a flat-rate cost of $2927.Ĭobham has an overhaul service-which covers replacement of most or all major components. If major component replacement is required, the repair turns into a major-level event-with a major price schedule. Minor-level repair covers component-level diagnostics, troubleshooting and repair but without replacing major components.
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Cobham Avionics has three price structures for repairing the S-TEC line of autopilots. Its easy to understand why repairing an old system seems appealing.įactory repair comes at a premium. In many cases, owners cant handle the additional investment of a new autopilot, Gammon noted. Owners might spend $15,000 on a retrofit PFD system but over-look an ailing autopilot system. This, he says, is a direct result of other avionics upgrades. According to Gammon, autopilot repair work has increased at his shop over the past couple of years. Whether its drive transistors for KC295 computers or servo motors for some King KFC150 systems for Mooneys, our biggest challenge is finding a healthy supply of replacement components for older systems, said Gammon. Instead, major repairs will have to be accomplished at the factory.īruce Grammon at Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics in Wichita, Kansas, told us that sourcing affordable, replacement parts is becoming a challenge. Thats because S-TEC doesnt supply bench-level replacement components to the dealer network. According to Ferguson, one of the challenges his shop faces is dealing with S-TEC models, especially flight computers and servos. It might cost over $10,000 to overhaul an old system, but thats still going to be cheaper than replacing it with a brand new model, said Ferguson, whos worked with autopilots for over 40 years.Īutopilots Central repairs and overhauls most systems in house, including King, Century and Cessna autopilots. Still, everyone we talked with suggested that autopilot repair pricing is on the rise.Īccording to Bob Ferguson at Autopilots Central in Tulsa, Oklahoma, overhauling an older system is almost always going to be cheaper than replacing it. Better yet, many vintage systems can be returned to near-new condition. Thats because theyll have a good supply of core units for accessing hard-to-find parts.
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It helps to use a shop that does high volume. Surprisingly, repair capability for vintage systems-including Cessna/ Sperry and Piper/Century models-is good. We spoke with several respected autopilot repair facilities for their view of common, serviceable models. For basic systems, we think replacement is a better, long-term option. In this article, well look at the reality of autopilot repair versus replacement. But as service parts for older systems become obsolete, repair costs are high, downtime is increased and factory flat-rate pricing makes the repair questionable. These big proposals have many owners repairing older autopilots. Add some options and the bottom line could soar toward $30,000. It wasnt long ago that an entry-level, two-axis autopilot was priced around 10 grand-including installation.