Offers High-End Features For Less Than $4K

Trio Avionics tells ANN the company will demonstrate its new Pro Pilot autopilot, designed specifically for experimental and light-sport aircraft, during AirVenture 2008 at Oshkosh, WI in July.

The Pro Pilot encompasses all of the performance and safety features of Trio's current systems, and makes them available in a single, compact, panel-mounted instrument. The Pro Pilot provides precise horizontal navigation capabilities, and the vertical navigation functions provide altitude hold, climb/descent capability, and altitude pre-select.

Climb/descent on airspeed is also selectable by the pilot -- a high-end feature rarely seen on lower-end systems. Upgrade options to be introduced in the near future are GPSS, GPSV and fuel management. Additional features will be announced down the road, Trio says.

The system incorporates back-lighted buttons and illuminated faceplate nomenclature as part of its new industrial design. The Pro Pilot control head is compatible with Trio's existing Gold Standard intelligent servos, and fits in the panel hole left by a standard turn coordinator.

A wide array of safety features is standard, including automatic servo disconnect on takeoff, track offset capability, "G" force limiting, airspeed limiting during climb/descent, as well as Trio's "automatic 180 degree turn" feature (for VFR pilots encountering poor weather). A backup battery unit will be available that will allow the autopilot system and an independent GPS to operate for over an hour in the event of complete aircraft power interruption.

Pricing for the Pro Pilot is $3,995. Deliveries are expected to begin in September.

FMI: www.trioavionics.com