Trio Pro Pilot Autopilot For SkyView HDX
FAA approved compatibility of the Trio Pro Pilot Autopilot with Dynon Certified SkyView HDX systems is now available for many Cessna, Piper, and Grumman models.
Autopilot Model Compatibility
Cessna 150
Cessna 152
Cessna 170B
Cessna 172-172E (172F-S models have Dynon Autopilot approved)*
Cessna 172RG
Cessna 175
Cessna 177
Cessna 180
Cessna 182-182D (Cessna 182E thru 182T, R182, T182, TR182, and T182T models have Dynon Autopilot approved)*
Cessna 185
Cessna 190
Cessna 195/LC-126
PA-28
PA-32
PA-24
Grumman AA-5 (AA-5, AA-5A, AA-5B, AG-5B)
Trio Pro Pilot is available from The STC Group. Pricing varies by model and starts at $6,345 for Cessna 150/152 models.
VISIT THE STC GROUP / TRIO
Dynon / Trio Autopilot Compatibility and Capability Highlights
- FAA Approved Integration: With Trio’s recent approval, Dynon SkyView HDX may be connected to the Trio Pro Pilot autopilot system, allowing it to follow guidance from SkyView HDX and connected external GPS navigators.
- Approach-Capable Autopilot: When a compatible IFR GPS Navigator is installed, the Trio Pro Pilot can fly fully coupled approaches.
- Full Trio Aircraft Model Line Coverage: This approval includes all type certificated aircraft models the Trio Pro Pilot is available for, adding dozens of aircraft models that can now benefit from installing a Trio Pro Pilot Autopilot alongside SkyView HDX.
FAA Approved Integration Features
When connected to a Trio Pro Pilot autopilot, SkyView HDX can serve as a single-entry point for heading, barometric altitude, and altitude pre-select. The configurable “bugs” that pilots set on their SkyView HDX system are automatically sent to the Trio Pro Pilot, allowing it to fly the guidance directly provided from SkyView HDX.
Additionally, when a compatible IFR GPS navigator is installed, the Trio Pro Pilot and Dynon SkyView HDX combine to provide full GPSS course guidance and auto-sensing for autopilot course and descent guidance during RNAV approaches. This allows pilots to fly fully coupled IFR GPS approaches with their integrated SkyView HDX and Trio Pro Pilot system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find answers to many of your questions. Click on the question to expand the answer.
Autopilot mode control happens from the Trio Pro Pilot control head. When it is set to select modes, it can follow the bugs that you set on your SkyView HDX, such as Heading, Altitude Pre-Select, and sync Barometric Altitude. When you are flying a flight plan or approach with a third party IFR GPS navigator, SkyView HDX will also pass through that information so the Trio Pro Pilot can follow it.
Dynon’s autopilot is fully integrated into SkyView HDX. All mode control, annunciation, and target selection happens on SkyView HDX and its optional control panels. In contrast the Trio Pro Pilot listens to output from SkyView HDX so that target bugs, such as heading and altitude, can be received and flown by the Trio Pro Pilot. Mode selection and other controls happen from the Trio control head. Although the Trio Pro Pilot is less integrated than the built-in Dynon Autopilot, it is a compelling option for those customers who do not have a Dynon autopilot approved for their aircraft.
At this time you must use the external GPS flight plan - typically from an IFR GPS navigator - selected as the HSI source to drive the Trio Pro Pilot autopilot.
Yes, the Trio Pro Pilot can fly GPS-based IFR approaches from most third-party IFR GPS navigators, including glidepath when it is available. Trio Pro Pilot does not have the ability to fly radio-based guidance such as VORs, LOC, and ILS radio approaches. Contact Trio/The STC Group for more information on the Trio Pro Pilot’s capabilities.
No, The Trio Pro Pilot is a GPS-only autopilot with no integration with VHF nav radios.
No, The Trio Pro Pilot is a GPS-only autopilot with no integration with the VHF nav portion of GPS/NAV/COM 3rd party navigators. You can use a GPS VOR waypoint instead to utilize the autopilot when flying to VOR waypoints. Alternatively, you can use the HDG bug to keep the needle centered on inbound or outbound radials TO or FROM VOR stations.
No electric pitch trim offering is currently available as part of the Trio Pro Pilot autopilot installation.
Unlike Dynon’s Autopilot integration with 3rd party autopilot servos through the SV-AP-TRIMAMP, the Trio Pro Pilot autopilot does not have compatibility to interface with existing trim servos.
If the aircraft has an existing trim servo that operates standalone, and doesn’t interfere with the installation of the Trio Pro Pilot autopilot, then YES. If the existing standalone pitch trim servo interferes with the installation of the Trio Pro Pilot autopilot, then the existing pitch trim servo must be removed.
Trio has a comprehensive list of compatible GPS equipment compiled into a document with the name “Compatibility List” found on this page: https://www.thestcgroupllc.com/pages/documentation
No, you can still use the SkyView HDX to provide the autopilot: HDG bug, Altitude Pre-Select, and barometric pressure altitude syncing. However the Trio Pro Pilot control head will always say “NO GPS” without an external GPS source interfaced. This basic interface still requires an SV-ARINC-429 module even if you don’t have an external VFR or IFR GPS navigator.
No. A Flight Director depicts the pitch and roll angles that the autopilot would command to fly the desired flight path. In the case of the SkyView Autopilot, the Flight Director is generated by SkyView’s own Autopilot algorithms that drive the Dynon Servos. SkyView’s Flight Director feature is not available without the Dynon autopilot servos connected. Additionally, when using a Trio Pro Pilot with SkyView, SkyView does not drive or command the Trio autopilot servos, nor is it directly aware of them. Therefore, there is no way for SkyView to provide a Flight Director display for the Trio Pro Pilot. Additionally, the Trio Pro Pilot Autopilot does not provide its own Flight Director data output that SkyView could possibly display.