Is this system still maintainable ? I'm in the process of buying a twin comanche (pa-30 B) with this autopilot. My offering price will reflect the continued use of the installed a/p. I am new to the forum but have owned a geronimo conversion and several other beech and cessna twins and am fairly knowledgable on aircraft systems but don't have a clue regarding the "altimaticIII" I thinks it's basically a century IIIB
thanks bernie

I'm not sure about the Piper Altimatic, but I installed a Century III in my PA 30 35 years ago, and am a satisfied user. Some say the Piper Altimatic III and the Century III are the same, but I don't know if this is fact.

Over the years I have had it in the shop for repairs or tune up 3 times. About 1 AUM each for the first two and recent general overhaul with a fairly expensive replacement part that was !.6 AUM. I can't complain about that for 5000 hours of flying time. Most of the repairs involved cleaning or replacement of connectors in the system.

I recently added roll steering, and appreciate the accuracy, smoothness and ability to follow holding patterns and course reversals this mod provides, but in real world travel, the original autopilot is very adequate. Be aware that roll steering can not be used for lateral positioning if you are flying a coupled (with glideslope steering) approach with the Century III. For a fully coupled approach you switch out roll steering and go back to the Century III system. I wish this were different.

One interesting option that bears watching is that Avidyne has recently offered a new autopilot ( a 90 series unit? ) based on the latest technology that will drive the servos that are part of the Century III. It is currently being approved for the various airplanes, but they are starting with the Bonanza and Cessna 182s etc. and it will be a while before they get to the Comanches. The beauty of this is that it uses the existing installed hardware and it would be much less expensive to switch to the latest and greatest electronics if you wish at a later date.

Just my $0.02

Al Powers ICS 2978

I'd suggest calling and asking Century if they still make parts. http://www.centuryflight.com/

I have never seen a Century equivalent of an Altimatic III or Altimatic IIIB. These have the altitude pre-select. There are parts of the altitude selector unit which are not repairable. The Altimatic IIIC was the equivalent of a Century IIIC autopilot. Those were not installed in the Comanches as Piper didn't start using them until about 1975 or 1976.

I am looking into field approving a conversion of my Altimatic IIIB to an Alitmatic/Century IIIC. The IIIC had the four rocker switches across the face of the control console and only had an altitude hold function, not a pre-select. Those units are reliable and repairable.

Kristin

Kristin: Please post the results of your proposed Altimatic III to Century III conversion. A friend has an Aztec with the Altimatic III who would be interested.

With respect to the comments on parts for the Century III, I have had no problems finding what has been needed.

Al Powers ICS 2978

Kristin.
I have a "66B Twinkie with the Altimatic II and it has altitude pre-select. It works beautifully and I have had it worked on twice in 20 yrs. of ownership.
Is this also a Century unit?
Steen