Garmin G5 with Garmin GMC 507

[AirplanepilotJJ]

Hello aviators,
I'm planning on buying an aircraft a bit later this year, most aircraft in my price range has the original autopilot and/or an inop one. I've narrowed down to Garmin's GMC 507, how many GSA 28 servos do I need?

If I got two G5s, can I remove the vacuum system, or do I need it as a backup?

 

[bradg33]

Is this an experimental aircraft?

 

[AirplanepilotJJ]

Is this an experimental aircraft?

No, it's a Piper Archer II.

 

[bradg33]

No, it's a Piper Archer II.

You can't install this system piecemeal. You need a full GFC500 setup, which includes the GMC507 and GSA28 servos, but you can't just buy the parts individually from say Aircraft Spruce. You're gonna have to involve a Garmin Dealer/installer.

 

[AirplanepilotJJ]

You can't install this system piecemeal. You need a full GFC500 setup, which includes the GMC507 and GSA28 servos, but you can't just buy the parts individually from say Aircraft Spruce. You're gonna have to involve a Garmin Dealer/installer.

A few airport near me has Garmin dealers, I have already reached out to one. Do I need to budget for two GSA28 servos?

 

[masloki]

You can get 2, 3 or 4 servos. 3 is pitch trim, which I find rather helpful especially if the trim knob is relatively inaccessible or your OCD has you constantly fighting with it. 4 is yaw damper, and it will probably smooth the ride a bit and is nice on take-off for holding right rudder. But servos 3 and 4 will, of course, cost extra to install.

 

[OneCharlieTango]

Yes, you can remove the vacuum system with two G5's. If you're like me, you'll feel pretty smug when you do!

 

[AirplanepilotJJ]

You can get 2, 3 or 4 servos. 3 is pitch trim, which I find rather helpful especially if the trim knob is relatively inaccessible or your OCD has you constantly fighting with it. 4 is yaw damper, and it will probably smooth the ride a bit and is nice on take-off for holding right rudder. But servos 3 and 4 will, of course, cost extra to install.

Good to know, thanks. I could get those 2 extra servos as an upgrade later down the road.

 

[Salty]

The cost of the parts is at best 1/2 the total cost.

 

[AirplanepilotJJ]

The cost of the parts is at best 1/2 the total cost.

Do most avionics shops charge that much, our is it just the case for large airports?

 

[Salty]

Do most avionics shops charge that much, our is it just the case for large airports?

Anybody with the experience and equipment needed to do it properly is going to charge you well.

 

[masloki]

Check out Lafayette avionics for a pretty good/low all in estimate. And note that their lead time is fairly representative of most shops.

 

[CT583]

Put in a quote request at https://www.generalavionics.com/about/
James is the owner. He did my avionics and many of the people I regularly fly with.
His all in costs beat out every single “well known” avionics shop around the country.

 

[WannFly]

there is no 4rth servo option for Archer, at least there wasnt when mine was put in in 2020

 

[AirplanepilotJJ]

there is no 4rth servo option for Archer, at least there wasnt when mine was put in in 2020

You've got 3 servos in your aircraft, including trim?

 

[WannFly]

You've got 3 servos in your aircraft, including trim?

yupp. if you are spending the money, put in the 3rd servo for pitch trim.
there wasnt a YD option when mine was put in.

 

[AirplanepilotJJ]

yupp. if you are spending the money, put in the 3rd servo for pitch trim.
there wasnt a YD option when mine was put in.

Makes sense, if you're spending the big bucks, might as well get all the features.