Next-generation attitude-based autopilot will deliver an array of safety-enhancing features including Envelope Protection and one-touch Straight and Level Recovery at an affordable price.

Genesys Aerosystems is announcing its new S-TEC 3100 Digital Flight Control System (DFCS), developed for FAA Part 23 single- and twin-engine aircraft.

“We’re excited to announce the next-generation S-TEC 3100 Digital Flight Control System as the latest addition to our extensive line of aftermarket autopilot solutions that provide exceptional features and performance at attractive pricing,” Genesys Aerosystems’ Director of Sales and Marketing Jamie Luster said. “As the leader in aftermarket autopilots with over 1,500 STCs, we were able to utilize our vast autopilot experience to leverage the technology from our Level A S-TEC 5000 autopilot to bring a more cost-effective solution to the Part 23 market. This technology provides light aircraft owners with similar safety features as larger aircraft at an affordable price.”

“We’ve worked diligently with piston aircraft owners to identify what were the most important feature sets for our next autopilot, and undoubtedly it was envelope protection and one-button straight and level recovery,” she said. “We’re excited to bring these new capabilities to the S-TEC 3100 autopilot. It’s like having a virtual copilot along on every flight.”

Luster also explained that another goal of the Genesys Aerosystems engineering team was to ensure that the S-TEC 3100 was designed with open architecture to easily integrate with both legacy analog avionics such as HSIs and DGs and today’s advanced digital systems such as complete EFIS displays. In addition, it was designed to require minimal additional equipment to keep the incremental cost as low as possible.

In addition to Envelope Protection and Straight and Level Recovery, the next-generation S-TEC 3100 Digital Flight Control System features the option for a 2-axis or 3-axis autopilot system with Flight Director and Optional Yaw Damper built into the autopilot. Other features include precision and non-precision Approach mode, Heading Hold, Altitude Preselect and Hold with Autotrim, Vertical Speed Control, Indicated Airspeed Control, course intercept and more.

“The initial aircraft we have identified to earn FAA STCs for the S-TEC 3100 are the Cessna 182, Cessna 210, Beechcraft Bonanza and Piper Saratoga,” Luster said. “The reason we chose these four initially was twofold: there are thousands of these aircraft in the field and we received very favorable responses from owners of these types during our initial research.”

“These owners use their aircraft and will value the array of benefits that they will enjoy with the new S-TEC 3100 system,” she said. “The STCs are currently underway and we expect certification in early 2018. Pricing will be announced in the coming months, but will be comparable to other autopilots with similar capability.”

For more information, visit: www.genesys-aerosystems.com.