S-TEC 30 Autopilot Operation

I bring you this instructional video on the S-TEC 30 Autopilot System installed on a Cirrus SR20. I will guide you to lear the functions and operations of the available modes for this autopilot. Remember to look on my other videos for more aviation safety information. Happy landings!

[@Mixturerich]

Regarding the knob position being in the neutral position for steer mode at 2 o'clock position: You simply need to remove the knob using a micro allen key, replace the button with neutral in top dead centre and tighten the screw. Here is a warning about those plastic knobs, they are very expensive to replace. $440 USD from S-TEC Genesys Systems. Don't break them and also, never pull back hard on that knob as it will disassemble the internal universal joint that connects it to a potentiometer and push switch.

[@chrishodde]

Lalo - thanks for the instruction!

[@RonVF]

Excellent video. I just got checked out in a C172 rental that has the S-TEC 30 system coupled to a Garmin GTN750 and 2 G5’s. I had a great time flying the airplane but nobody told me how to use the auto pilot and that the mode information was in the turn coordinator. Now I’m looking forward to taking the airplane out again. Thanks for sharing!

[@drule1234]

Dude, Great tutorial. Very helpful for an old pilot just getting back into flying after a long hiatus.

[@tomsmith3045]

Great video! I sometimes fly a plane that has this AP, it's a great unit. One nice thing about this model is that it's rate based, on the turn coordinator gyro, so it's not dependent on the artificial horizon. It still works even if the vacuum system fails. So a good thing to have if you're flying in IFR and don't have a backup AH or backup vacuum source.

[@michaelheckman2128]

Mr. Mijares, thank you for producing and sharing this S-TEC-30 video tutorial.

[@cggage]

This is an excellent tutorial on how to use the S-Tec 30. I had never seen this type of AP housed in the turn coordinator. It certainly makes sense to save space, and that the AP status is right there in your scan as opposed to being in the COM stack is good.
Thank you for an excellent video! I learned a lot today!

[@lockirocu]

Zero dislikes - that says a lot. Solid video. Glad to have found your channel. Hope to fly a PC12 one day as well

[@Keszi3]

First class tutorial, very well explained all of the important details. Thanks you! Thomas

[@ellavaderknows]

Thanks very much for a great step-by-step instruction on the S-tec 30 w/ ALT hold. Please make more Cirrus 6-pack videos!

[@DavidWade66]

Thanks for the helpful tutorial.

[@williamchambers3101]

You should mention the Trim Lights on the STEC-30, i.e. if Aircraft needs UP or DOWN trim in the ALT hold mode..

[@TRPGpilot]

Thanks

[@tomiasthexder7673]

Thanks. Great explanation.

[@aviatortrucker6285]

Watching your video again I noticed that you are using the GPS while it is still engaged on heading mode. I guess the heading mode/GPS mode overrides this. The aircraft I fly has an aspen, and it has a heading and a GPSS mode as well but I have been switching to the track, and someone told me you didn’t have to. The track mode is only for use with the VOR or ILS. Basically the track mode would be used when you select your CDI to VLOC. Can anybody verify this?
😊

[@vadermike7772]

great video, thanks for sharing

[@fdtank81]

Thanks

[@gmfurnald9219]

Hola captain, where are your gloves? : )

[@Crowz]

Do you have to keep the heading bug on the CRS when using the track mode?

[@jocelynrenald9872]

Do you uses the gpss for low and high tracking for an ils?

[@coolhari2000]

Thank you.
Will it hold altitude & track at the same time?
Does the autopilot also do climbs & descents or just altitude hold ?

[@droge192]

It's covered in the video. Yes, the STEC 30 will hold lateral mode (ST, HDG, GPSS, VOR) at the same time as holding the ALT, using ALT HOLD mode. No, it cannot perform any climb/descent/vertical speed hold. The only vertical mode on this AP is simple, present altitude hold.

[@aviatortrucker6285]

I used one on a rental aircraft, a PA 28. It seem to work well except for GPS procedures. Let me explain. I tried both the low and high sensitivity, either way, it tracked the GPS fine. I placed my Aspen in GPSS mode, which is the GPS steer mode. The unit tracked according to the desired track. However, when I approached the hold, in lieu, the aircraft was required to make a direct entry. But, upon crossing the fix the aircraft banked at about half standard rate and just meandered in a slow circle which brought me halfway between the hold fix and the final approach fix. It did the same for any course changes more than 45 degrees. Maybe I’m just used to a Garmin 500 series but it seems like if you have to make a turn more than 20° you should shift it to heading mode and use the heading bug. This seems like a very inexpensive basic Auto pilot that is good for just holding altitude and a single course or slight course changes. Any body have any other input about making course changes on GPS mode with this unit.