Airplane autopilot systems have become a must-have for pilots and aircraft owners. Autopilot systems provide an extra level of safety and convenience, allowing pilots to focus on other tasks and relax during long flights. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 8 airplane autopilot systems on the market, and compare their features, prices, and key differentiators.

The Top 8 Autopilot Systems:

1. Garmin GFC 700 Autopilot: This autopilot system is designed for single-engine, fixed-wing aircraft, and is priced at around $9,000. It includes a 3-axis autopilot with altitude preselect, level mode, vertical speed mode, and heading mode.

2. Genesys Aerosystems S-TEC 3100 Digital Autopilot: This system is designed for single-engine, fixed-wing aircraft, and is priced at around $8,000. It includes a 3-axis autopilot with altitude hold, vertical speed, and heading modes.

3. Avidyne EX5000 Autopilot: This autopilot system is designed for single-engine, fixed-wing aircraft, and is priced at around $10,000. It includes a 3-axis autopilot with altitude hold, vertical speed, and heading modes.

4. Bendix/King KFC225 Autopilot: This autopilot system is designed for single-engine, fixed-wing aircraft, and is priced at around $7,000. It includes a 3-axis autopilot with altitude hold, vertical speed, heading, and navigation modes.

5. Honeywell KFC 225 Autopilot: This autopilot system is designed for single-engine, fixed-wing aircraft, and is priced at around $10,000. It includes a 3-axis autopilot with altitude hold, vertical speed, heading, and navigation modes.

6. S-TEC System 30 Autopilot: This autopilot system is designed for single-engine, fixed-wing aircraft, and is priced at around $7,000. It includes a 3-axis autopilot with altitude hold, vertical speed, heading, and navigation modes.

7. TruTrak Autopilot: This autopilot system is designed for single-engine, fixed-wing aircraft, and is priced at around $5,000. It includes a 3-axis autopilot with altitude hold, vertical speed, heading, and navigation modes.

8. Aspen Avionics Evolution Autopilot: This autopilot system is designed for single-engine, fixed-wing aircraft, and is priced at around $15,000. It includes a 3-axis autopilot with altitude hold, vertical speed, heading, and navigation modes.

In Depth Comparison:

When it comes to autopilot systems, there are a few key features to consider. The first is the system’s ability to handle altitude, vertical speed, and heading changes. All of the autopilot systems in this list have 3-axis autopilots with altitude hold, vertical speed, and heading modes.

The next feature to consider is navigation capabilities. All of the autopilot systems in this list have navigation modes, allowing pilots to input waypoints and fly to their destination.

The last feature to consider is price. The Garmin GFC 700 Autopilot is the most affordable option, priced at around $9,000, while the Aspen Avionics Evolution Autopilot is the most expensive, priced at around $15,000.

Conclusion and Recommendation:

When it comes to choosing the best airplane autopilot system, it’s important to consider your needs and budget. All of the autopilot systems in this list have 3-axis autopilots and navigation capabilities, so the main difference is price. If you’re looking for the most affordable option, the Garmin GFC 700 Autopilot is a great choice. If you’re looking for the most advanced autopilot system, the Aspen Avionics Evolution Autopilot is a great choice. No matter which autopilot system you choose, you can rest assured that you’ll have the safety and convenience of an autopilot system in your aircraft.