SuperECO Autopilot
SuperECO Autopilot
Light-Sport & Experimental Aircraft
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Which Trim Tab Kit Is Right for You?
ㅤStandard Trim Tab Kit With Servos: this kit is splashproof and suitable for fast aircraft. The standard servo weighs 1.8 oz (51 grams) and lives inside a slim shell. Inside this kit, you will find everything you need to get flying, including the adhere and rivet mounting option.
Standard Trim Tab Kit With Waterproof Servos: this kit is suitable for slower amphibian aircraft where servo weight is not an issue when balancing flying surfaces. The IP-67 waterproof servo weighs 3.0 oz (85 grams) and lives inside a shell. Inside this kit, you will find everything you need to get flying, including the adhere and rivet mounting option.
Flush Mount Trim Tab Kit With Waterproof Servos: this kit is suitable for pilots that don't want their servos to be visible on their aileron, elevator, and rudder. Inside this kit, you will find everything you need to get flying, including the flush mounting option and IP-67 waterproof servos.
Trim Tab Size: please specify your aircraft brand and model during checkout so we can send you the right trim tab size.
Fabric Aircraft Installation: you can easily install the trim tabs on your fabric aircraft. We will include a predrilled curved hinge PN 3900108 and 3/32" rivets inside your kit (pop rivets are used to install the hinge to the tube.)
YAW Damper Add-On: you will need a YAW damper if your aircraft is unstable around its vertical axis and you want to inhibit its movement (this will keep your aircraft coordinated during all phases of flight.) It's also useful for aircraft with adverse YAW when initiating a turn with the aileron. This add-on has a servo cable wired to an extra connector in the back of the SuperECO Autopilot or ECOTrim System and has no operational parameters (such as heading bug or selection); instead, it will be active or inactive. When inactive, it will work as a YAW trim, helping you remove prolonged pressure on the pedals. In this case, you can trim your YAW using the knob. When active, the SuperECO or ECOTrim System will maintain the airplane coordinated, which means the ball will stay in the center (even in turbulence.) The rudder will also turn accordingly to keep the ball in the center. When adding the YAW damper to your order, we will add everything you need to get flying and match your existing trim tab kit configuration.
Building Your Own Trim Tabs: you must ensure that your trim tabs have enough authority to fly your aircraft so long as you can easily override them, even at full-scale deflection. We recommend you read our installation manuals and watch our trim tab installation video before you start building your trim tabs.
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The SuperECO Is the Lightest Autopilot in the World
You can now control the pitch, roll, and yaw of your light-sport or experimental aircraft with a carbon-fiber trim tab autopilot that weighs less than 2.5 pounds or the weight of a couple of water bottles
You Are Always in Control
Unlike traditional autopilots, the SuperECO doesn’t have any mechanical links with flight controls; therefore, you can easily override it at any time by taking control of your stick or yoke
Engage, Sit Back, and Navigate With These Autopilot Features
The SuperECO integrates an Electronic Attitude Direction Indicator (EADI); an Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator (EHSI) and a Digital Flight Control System (DFCS) into a single unit
Plus Get Your Standard Avionics Even During a Power Failure
The SuperECO also serves as a backup instrument for your EFIS. Plus, it comes with an optional backup battery in case of a complete power failure
Seamless System Integration
The SuperECO is fully independent of your primary flight controls, which makes it extremely reliable, light, safe, and easy to install
Install It in Less Than a Day
The carbon fiber trim tabs and servos can be bolted, riveted, or adhered using industrial-strength waterproof adhesives to the aileron, elevator, and rudder and the SuperECO can be easily mounted on your panel as a 3 1/8” standalone standard instrument
What About Flutter?
To avoid flutter, you must rebalance your aileron, elevator, and rudder after installing your trim tabs. After installation, you should be able to maintain full manual control authority even at full-scale deflection. We recommend that you watch our trim tab installation video for more information
Learn About Other Pilots That Fly With the SuperECO Autopilot
"It's fun to think that I now have an autopilot that's really going to stretch the legs of this airplane and really going to increase the amount of hours I can fly in a day" -Cory Robin
Try It for 30 Days, Risk Free
The SuperECO comes with a risk-free money-back guarantee within 30 days after you receive your unit plus a 1-year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship
What's inside the Box?
The standard kit comes with everything you need to get flying. If you wish to upgrade your kit or add any extra spare parts, you can do so before finalizing your checkout
Customer Reviews
I regrettably haven't installed as I promised my CFI I wouldn't tear my plane apart till I got my ticket. All my questions were answered and everything looks amazing!!. I will post vids of the install... need it before I ferry my plane back to FL
We are extremely happy with the SuperECO Autopilot installed in our twin engine Lockwood AirCam Gen3. As far as I know, this is the first ever installation in an AirCam, which has very little room for large, heavy servos of traditional autopilots. Carlos Leon was hugely helpful and instrumental in creating larger trim tabs and installing stronger servos and then tuning the SuperECO settings for the AirCam. The AirCam is a relatively large and slow flying aircraft with considerable adverse yaw if flown with ailerons only. As a twin, it has a large vertical stabilizer and rudder, so a 3 axis installation is highly recommended for well coordinated turns. With some six hours of test flying completed, putting the SuperECO through its paces, the SuperECO perfromed just as advertised with all the functions working very nicely. This will be very convenient and reduce fatigue when flying longer distances with our AirCam, which is something we used to shy away from. Now we look forward to explore more of the country, thanks to the SuperECO. Thank you so much, Carlos and AircraftAutomation!!
Haven’t completed building my plane so can’t review how the trim performs.
I was looking for an autopilot to install in my Zenith 601XLB and I did not want to upgrade my dash with new avionics to support an autopilot system. The SuperECO was easy to install and configure and I did not have to upgrade my avionics. It did allow me to swap out an old slip/skid indicator that was a 3 1/8" instrument in the center of my dash and now the SuperECO is my primary avionics that I use. I'm now able to travel farther with much less fatigue and it makes my flying more enjoyable. The support that I received from Aircraft Automation (Carlos and team) was outstanding! I'd recommend this to anyone who's looking for an autopilot!
This is my primary instrument where I watch a lot of information in a very readable manner. I particularly like the ability to change the display to different instruments. Mine has a WAAS board (shooting LPV and ILS approaches is no problem.) I also installed an AV30e to use the SuperECO Instrument even more. The support has also been extraordinary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use it during IFR conditions?
No, the SuperECO can only be used for day VFR flight guidance, IFR is not approved
How does it handle turbulance?
The trim tabs are aerodynamic amplifiers. The effort exerted on them is minimal but the end result is exponential. They are fast-acting and thus produce an instant reaction on flying surfaces. That's why they are so good at handling turbulence
How often do I need to replace my trim tabs?
We use Hitec metal gear servos and carbon fiber trim tabs riveted to aviation-grade hinges. There is no reason why they should wear, in fact, our test airplane has over 500 AP hours since 2015 when we first installed the RC servo trim tabs. These servos have yet to be replaced
Does it continue to show heading and altitude when I'm not using it?
Yes, the SuperECO will continue to work as a backup six-pack instrument
How long does the emergency backup battery last?
The SuperECO runs as long as it's plugged into the aircraft. It also has an emergency backup battery that lasts 2 hours
Do the trim servos work in the emergency backup battery mode?
They work at half their normal power and battery life will be greatly reduced
Can I make my own trim tabs?
Yes, you need to make sure that your aileron, elevator, rudder, and trim tabs are balanced to avoid flutter at high speeds. You must have manual control authority even at full-scale deflection of your trim tabs
Does the trim tab weight affect the balance of my control surfaces?
Yes, although the trim tab servo kit weighs 5 ounces, it may affect the balance of your control surfaces. To avoid flutter, surfaces need to be balanced. If you experience flutter, immediately reduce the speed of the aircraft by reducing power and raising the nose
Does it recover from unusual attitudes?
Yes, if inverted the autopilot will first attempt to correct roll and then attitude
Does it interface with other GPS units to follow tracks?
Yes, you can use the RS-232 serial port to connect with popular GPS systems
Can I interface the instrument with an SL-30 radio to show CDI and glideslope?
Yes, the connection can be made through the instrument serial port. Press the heading bug to change OBS and the CDI will split the needle to show the deviation. Only intended for guidance, the instrument is not a proper CDI for instrument flying (optional)
Does the instrument have an ARINC interface?
Yes, you can connect any ARINC radio to show the CDI and GS in an approach but the OBS cannot be changed for the time being
Do I need to balance my aileron and elevator?
Yes, all flying surfaces should be balanced after the trim tab is installed. Some people remove the servo and install it further forward to reduce weight and counterweight
How much speed can it handle?
The standard trim tab kit is ideal for airplanes cruising at speeds between 100 and 180 knots. For aircraft outside these cruising speeds, please email us at info@aircraftautomation.com for custom trim tabs
Can I connect it to more than 1 GPS device?
You can connect to one or more if you put a toggle switch to select from different GPS
What happens when the autopilot is off?
When the autopilot is off, the trim tabs are still active. The system will correct for excessive or unwanted pilot inputs beyond a roll or pitch limit
How many patterns can it fly?
It will automatically keep the aircraft flying in a holding pattern (the hold entries are automatically calculated). The autopilot will fly an indefinite number of patterns until canceled
How does the yaw damper work?
The yaw damper has a servo cable wired to an extra connector in the back of the SuperECO. This feature doesn't have operational parameters (such as heading bug or any selection) but rather will be active or inactive. When inactive, it will work as a yaw trim, helping you remove prolonged pressure on the pedals. In this case, you will be able to trim your yaw using the knob. When active, the SuperECO will maintain the airplane coordinated, which means that the rudder will turn accordingly to maintain the ball in the center even during turbulence
Can I use it side by side with the iLevil AP?
Yes, the SuperECO also integrates with the iLevil AP. They talk to each other to synchronize Heading Bug, Altitude Preselect, Vertical speed, and Barometric pressure. They are connected via the RS-232 port
Is it compatible with Ray Allen’s trim system?
No, Ray Allen is designed as a very responsive trim; therefore, it is very slow reacting, and not suitable for autopilot use. Furthermore, their servos have a different interface
What's the display size and resolution?
The display size is 3 1/8" diagonal (79 mm) and the resolution is 320 x 240 pixels, backlit 1000 nits color LCD with automatic night dimming
What's the input voltage?
11vdc to 30vdc
What are the dimensions and weight of the SuperECO?
The dimensions are 3 1/8” (79mm) standard instrument. 3¼” x 3¼” x 2 1/8” (83mm x 83mm x 54mm) and the weight is 9 ounces (256g.) without the backup battery
What's the weight of the emergency backup battery?
The emergency backup battery weighs 2 ounces (57g)
What's the total weight of the system?
The total weight of the system with 3 servos is less than 2.5 lbs. This includes wiring harness