STEC 55 Part 1-Setting up the Altitude Alerter

Part Powerpoint, part inflight operation, this video shows the operation of the Altitude selector and alerter used in conjunction with the S-TEC55 autopilot.
This is Part 1 of the use of the S-TEC 55, the autopilot in out Piper Archer III

[@yippeethreeeight]

Thanks for the video. It helps. I wish there was Part 2, etc..

[@MarekMarciniak]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[@N66VV]

Thank you for creating this video ! (even if it was 7 yrs ago). Much appreciated...

[@Archer4CA]

I always had plans to do several. The instructions are not great, video is easier. We now have a STEC 55X and I will try to do the rest of the planned series. Many visitors, more than I expected.

[@DougWinston]

That was far superior than reading the owner's manual. Quick and to the point.

[@Archer4CA]

+Doug Winston
Thank you for the complement.The STEC55 is such a powerful tool. My intent at the time was to make a series of training videos. I was disappointed in the video quality. Since then we have upgraded to the STEC55X with is more "magical". For Piper owners, the early Cirrus Owners upgrade and the STEC55X is fairly inexpensive. We had some tuning problems with the STEC55 with hunting. You have to be very careful on yoke cleanliness and binding. Thanks again for watching, and not commenting on my miscues. I should have done this with someone else in the p;and. As you can imagine retakes are difficult. Altitude=Attitude? Right?

[@Archer4CA]

Thanks for the reply. I was really waiting to see if their was interest in this Part 1. My plan was to do a Part 2 as a VFR (and IFR) enroute to exercise all the functions. Part 3 was to be all the bells and whistles for coupled approaches primarily WAAS, localizers, reverse sensing, tricks etc. We are going out this Friday night and I will see about Part 2. What would people that own the STEC55X be interested in? It has had its problems, but is solid now.

[@rogerlevy7562]

Please do a Part 2, 3, 4 and more! I fly a P337G (N685V) our of 3N6. I have an STec system 65 with the ST-360 and a GNS-530 WAAS, and so far, the most use I've got out of my autopilot is altitude hold and heading mode. The POH for the autopilot is less than 100% clear. And coupled approaches? Nightmare. Maybe I can give you a call or fly somewhere and talk to you about my autopilot troubles?

[@Archer4CA]

Thanks for watching the video. The Squeal around 35 seconds is the sound of thousands of dollars being powered up when I hit the radio master prior to the avionics master. Two 430W's, a Garmin 496, a Garmin 340 audio panel, Stormscope and EDM700 are coming alive. I believe its the audio panel sequencing on. Coincides with the LO sensitivity LED lighting. Good question, I will check.

[@Archer4CA]

cblair0608:
We have had very good and stable performance with regards to holding altitude. We have had it in the avionics shop though on other issues. It is great to punch in HDG and ALT when you are briefing an approach. There are cases where vertical hunting (porposing) occurs, but an avionics shop can tune it out. We have experienced some in the past, but rarely. We have the 55 not 55X. The most I experienced before we got it fixed was +/- 20 ft. Currently I would say its near zero.

[@Americanamusements1970]

Hey anyway I could connect with you i havw the same set up ans realy having trouble getting my auto pilot set up likw your talking about in this video..thanks so much

[@Americanamusements1970]

Hello I have the same set up 2001 archer iii with s tek 55 x we are having a very hard time trying to set it up would love if you have more info to help us,we have dual gns430s and can't figure out ils or wass approaches i can go to my altitude host alt and GPS and go airport to airport or fly off the heading bug. Any help would be greatly appreciated

[@cblair0608]

Wow, thats what I was afraid of. I have yet to order the 55X for that very reason. I can get a STEC 30 for half the price but it has no alt hold. If the 55X porpoises I wonder if it would be to the point it would become irritating. Is it irritating or just something that you never really notice?

[@Americanamusements1970]

I realy need help with mine I have the same set up

[@cblair0608]

I am considering having the 55X installed in my 182RG. Ho well does this hold altitude? Does it constantly go up and down up and down or does it hold altitude nice and smooth (Im assuming no turbulence).

[@Archer4CA]

A couple of small mistakes I didn't edit out (see if you catch them). Square button is elec trim disconnect, A/P disconnect SW is under the 430W's. I didn't set the ALR function so it would not have alerted.