Genesys Bringing Retrofit Autopilot to Part 25 Market

Genesys Aerosystems is nearing the home stretch on a program it announced two years ago to develop the S-Tec 5000 autopilot for Part 25 airplanes. The first TSO for the system is expected to be awarded in the first half of next year, according to Genesys director of sales and marketing Jamie Luster.

One program is a forward-fit autopilot for Ruag’s Dornier 228 NG twin turboprop. Genesys is also targeting older business jets and regional airliners for retrofit applications of the new S-Tec 5000 autopilot, and these include the Bombardier Dash 8, Fokkers, Hawker 800 series, older Dassault Falcon 900s, Gulfstreams, Citations and Learjets.

The three-axis full digital system offers envelope protection, straight-and-level button and is software upgradeable. Genesys plans to add more features later, such as automatic descent, as a software upgrade. The $150,000 price tag includes servos and pitch trim, and options will include roll and yaw trim. Certification flight-testing of the new autopilot in the Dornier 228 begins in February.