The Digital Autopilot is an all digital, self calibrating, two axis Autopilot system designed specifically for the EFIS/One & EFIS/Lite.  It incorporates the latest in small, high torque mini DC motors, a high quality aerospace grade gearbox, a high resolution position encoder and a magnetic clutch all enclosed in a single aircraft quality aluminum housing.

From within the EFIS/One or the extended EFIS/Lite system, the Autopilot can be used to:  

• Track any selected course using a Course Bug on the EHSI
• Track any selected heading using a Heading Bug on the EHSI
• Track and fly a GPS flight plan from the EFIS/One built in GPS receiver.
• Track an external NAV receiver signal for the selected VOR radial* EFIS/Lite requires an UPS Garmin SL30 radio.
• Track a Localizer and Glideslope signal from an external NAV receiver*
• Climb at a given rate (feet/min)
• Fly to and hold at a specific altitude.

The Autopilot system uses the full complement of internal inertial sensors of the EFIS/One or EFIS/Lite to precisely detect aircraft movement in all three axes.  Other internal sensors for airspeed and altitude also play a roll in the function and operation of the Autopilot providing the best dynamic performance possible. Compare the BMA Digital Autopilot to the Trutrak DFC-250.  You can buy and EFIS/Lite and our Digital AP for less!

Increased Safety

Since the Autopilot system software has access to the all sensors and limitation settings of the aircraft, it can act in a intelligent fashion to increase overall safety.  For example, the AP system will limit a climb rate such that airspeed is never reduced below Vy. Although not currently implemented, the AP could also warn if a given flight path, say using a gs/loc signal, was not taking you to a runway, or if a given flight path took you too close to terrain.  External AP made by other manufactures don't have available to them the wealth of data that is available to the AP system software in the EFIS/One.

The Autopilot functionality is easily accessed through a signal button on the EFIS/ One bezel or remote keypad for the EFIS/Lite.  Upon pressing the AP button a simple, easy to understand, menu is shown allowing the pilot to select the various features of the autopilot system. That's all there is to it. The AP can be disengaged three different ways: a remotely mounted disengage momentary switch, usually yoke mounted, by pressing the AP button on the bezel and pushing the concentric knob or by removing power from the AP subsystem with an AP master switch.

No Control Drag

When the BMA Digital Autopilot is not engaged, there will be no drag on the aircraft controls. Most autopilot systems don't completely disengage from the flight controls and can be felt by the pilot in today's modern aircraft that have light control forces and small movement.  BMA uses an electro-magnetic clutch which provides both a safety factor and makes our system impossible to detect, by the pilot, when not in use.

The kit includes everything you need. Two servos, interconnect cables from the servos to the servo controller and a single cable from the controller to the EFIS/One or EFIS/Lite.  The components can be mounted in any orientation or location.  All aircraft sensing data is provided by the EFIS/One or EFIS/Lite.

Click on the images below for larger pictures with dimensions.

EFIS/One Autopilot Installation Manual (06/17/2004)  (PDF 6.52MB)