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Genesys Aerosystems unveils next-generation S-TEC 3100 DFCS
Genesys Aerosystems has announced its new S-TEC 3100 digital flight control system (DFCS), developed for Federal Aviation Administration 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. “As the leader in aftermarket autopilots, with over 1,500 STCs [supplemental type certificates], 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 DFCS features the option for a two-axis or three-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,” said Luster. “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.”
Genesys Aerosystems submits TSO documentation on S-TEC 5000 DFCS
Genesys Aerosystems has submitted Technical Standard Order (TSO) documentation to the FAA for the S-TEC 5000 DFCS. The S-TEC 5000 is certified to the highest Level A DO-178B software standard and meets all TSO C-198 requirements.
“We are extremely excited and proud to announce that our diligent pursuit of our next-generation S-TEC 5000 digital flight control system developed to meet the demanding needs of FAA Part 25 high-performance turboprop and jet aircraft is available to the market,” said Luster. “The S-TEC 5000 not only represents the latest advancement in our long line of analog and digital autopilots, but it also ushers in a new generation of digital flight control systems that will feature the most advanced capability- and safety-enhancing software and hardware available.”
Genesys Aerosystems introduces S-TEC autopilot upgrade
Genesys Aerosystems also announced that it will soon be offering an upgrade program that will enable current S-TEC autopilot owners to receive many of the advanced workload-reducing and safety-enhancing features found in its new S-TEC 3100 DFCS.
“As the most popular aftermarket autopilot brand in the world, it’s obvious that pilots love their current S-TEC autopilots. But, like all of us, they’re always looking for something better that doesn’t break the bank,” added Luster. “By swapping out the current autopilot computer with a new S-TEC 3100 digital flight control computer, we can deliver an array of amazing features for a fraction of the cost of a new digital flight control system.”
If the current system is one- or two-axis, and there is a desire to increase the number of axes, additional equipment will need to be purchased and installed. If autotrim is also not currently installed, there will be additional equipment required.
Genesys Aerosystems to run S-TEC 3100 contest during Oshkosh AirVenture 2017
Lastly, Genesys Aerosystems has announced its “Take A Shot At Winning An S-TEC 3100 Autopilot” contest that will run during Oshkosh AirVenture 2017.
“We’re inviting owners of Cessna 182, Cessna 210, Piper PA-32-series, and Beechcraft 35- and 36-series aircraft to come to our booth during AirVenture to get a free shot of five-hour Energy drink and to take a shot at winning a new S-TEC 3100 digital flight control system,” said Luster. “The new S-TEC 3100 will offer pilots a number of the workload-reducing and safety-enhancing features found in our new Part 25 S-TEC 5000 digital flight control system including envelope protection and straight and level recovery capabilities.”
The winning entry will be drawn on Monday, July 31, 2017, and will be announced through the Genesys Aerosystems Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn social media outlets. Contest entrants can access these social media outlets through the Genesys Aerosystems website.
In addition to envelope protection and straight and level mode, the S-TEC 3100 offers two-axis or three-axis options with standard autotrim and includes typical functionality including heading and Nav hold, altitude preselect, course intercept, indicated airspeed hold, vertical speed hold, GPSS, and control wheel steering. The S-TEC 3100 can also be installed with approved legacy analog and digital avionics systems, and utilize any S-TEC servos already installed.
“We will ship the S-TEC 3100 to the authorized Genesys Aerosystems avionic shop that is designated by the winning aircraft owner within 60 days of the date we receive the STC for that particular aircraft model,” said Luster. “It will be the owner’s responsibility to pay for the installation of the S-TEC 3100 by their designated authorized Genesys Aerosystems avionics shop.”
Contest entry is open to owners of Cessna 182, Cessna 210, Beechcraft 35- and 36-series, and Piper PA-32-series aircraft. An entry form must be completed by the close of EAA on Sunday, July 30, 2017. The winning aircraft owner is responsible for installation costs. The Genesys Aerosystems S-TEC 3100 digital flight control system cannot be redeemed for cash.
