The STC Group, LLC

Having researched a replacement for the original Century II single axis autopilot in my C-182L, the STC Group and the Trio Pro Pilot provided an excellent, local and cost affordable solution. The panel mounted option was ideal, and the level of service and attention to detail in both the install and customer support from the STC staff made the transition smooth and painless.

Curt Castagna N3377R

A year ago I was at an air show and saw a another companies autopilot and since my original 300 navomatic had finally quit, it wasn’t worth investing anymore money into it. They didn’t have the STC at the time for my 182L but said it was due soon. I signed up for it and a month later they had the STC. I sent them my money and received the equipment shortly after. My installation got 75% completed but it was evident that it wasn’t going to work on my plane and STOL kit. It was at this point that the company quit responding to my inquiries after I dealt with them for 10 months. I gave up and my attorney got involved and he got results. In the meantime I read an article about STC group’s autopilot and I checked out their website and videos. I was very impressed with them. I called and spoke to Jeff Odum and told him my concerns.  He asked for pictures of my interior wings. He had me talk to AJ, who is the IA, and he said their autopilot would work for my set up. I made an appointment and flew to their location where they were above and beyond helpful. It was a perfect installation and everything was explained to me as they were doing it and why. 

After the work was completed we went up and flew a couple hours of instruction. It was an easy learning curve. When I had questions they were there with the answers. 

Stephen Helms N3158R

I have flown with the Trio for somewhere over 300 hours at this point and to say that I am very satisfied is truly an understatement. For about one third the price of a similar legacy autopilot, I have nearly all the same functions. It is an incredible unit and is capable of doing coupled GPS based approaches. The safety features are also incredible. On one of my flights from SoCal home late at night I encountered some severe mountain waves. Anyone who has flown the area extensively knows about them. Not only was it turbulent, but the waves had incredible up and down waves. One of the features of the Trio is a cut off of the autopilot if it gets to preset speeds on the low and high ends. I chose them and Jeff programmed them in when we did the original flight together. I experienced both ends of the speed spectrum and the Trio worked as designed shutting off the autopilot and giving me a loud audible alarm when we were in a down wave and the airspeed decayed to what we had set it at. Shortly after it also cut off at the high speed we had set while in a formidable updraft. During that flight I also got to experience the “G” cut off when I hit a very high “G” in the turbulence. It was comforting knowing all the parameters worked as designed. I have yet to need the emergency 180° turn around as I am an experienced instrument pilot but I have demonstrated it to friends and passengers. It also works flawlessly.

Pete Chagares Cardinal RG N2638V