By 1961, Mitchell/Edo Aire had six models of autopilot available, ranging from the basic Co-pilot, a single-axis wing-leveler with heading lock to the Commander, a fully automatic, two-axis system with features way beyond its day. By the late ‘50s, several companies, including ARC (for Cessna), Tactair, Lear, Sperry, Brittain, and Mitchell were also developing autopilots.ĭon Mitchell designed his first autopilot and installed it in a Beechcraft in the early ‘50s. Increased sales spawned innovation, not only in aircraft design, but also in avionics. economy moved in a very positive –UP! The General Aviation industry, primed by the economy and pilots with wartime flying experience, grew quickly with Cessna, Piper, and Beechcraft taking the lead in small aircraft sales. a low time pilot with a fresh IFR ticket), the more an autopilot is needed.Īfter World War II and the Korean Conflict came to an end, the U.S. The less time a pilot has spent in IFR conditions (e.g.
Everything You NEED TO KNOW about Piper “Legacy” Autopilots By Bob Hart – If you’ve been following my articles, you know that I believe an autopilot (even a basic wing-leveler) belongs in any aircraft that intends to spend time in the clouds in IFR flight.