Autopilot Servo Application Guide
Aircraft Servo Configurations
RV-3
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV32 | No | |
| Pitch | No | SV32 | No |
Though the RV-3 has not been tested, Dynon expects good performance - similar to the rest of the tested RV line - from a pair of SV32 servos.
RV-4
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV42 | Yes | |
| Pitch | Yes | SV32 | Yes |
A mounting kit is available for RV-4 pitch axis only. Dynon does not currently have plans to produce a roll mounting kit. However, when installed, the SV42 is known to produce good results.
Customer aircraft of this type flew the autopilot in the Dynon test/development program with good results.
RV-6
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | Yes | SV32L | Outer | Yes |
| Pitch | Yes | SV32 | Outer | Yes |
Customer aircraft of this type flew the autopilot in the Dynon test/development program with good results.
RV-7
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | Yes | SV42 | Outer | Yes |
| Pitch | Yes | SV42 | Outer | Yes |
Customer aircraft of this type flew the autopilot in the Dynon test/development program with good results.
RV-8
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | Yes | SV32 | Outer | Yes |
| Pitch | Yes | SV32 | Outer | Yes |
Customer aircraft of this type flew the autopilot in the Dynon test/development program with good results.
Mounting Kit part number 101020-002 (Pitch) and 101020-003 (Roll) fit both the classic RV-8 kits and the the newer "RV-8 Fuselage Kit - 1" that started shipping around September 2006.
RV-9
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | Yes | SV42 | Middle | Yes |
| Pitch | Yes | SV42 | Outer | Yes |
Customer aircraft of this type flew the autopilot in the Dynon test/development program with good results.
RV-10
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | Yes | SV42 | TBD | Yes |
| Pitch | Yes | SV42T | N/A | Yes |
RV14
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | Yes | SV42 | Yes | |
| Pitch | Yes | SV42 | Yes |
Customer aircraft of this type flew the autopilot in the Dynon test/development program with good results.
Sonex
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV42 | Yes | |
| Pitch | No | SV32 | Yes |
Searey
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV42 | Yes | |
| Pitch | No | SV42 | Yes |
Customer aircraft of this type flew the autopilot in the Dynon test/development program with good results.
Pre 2015 aircraft exhibits significant adverse yaw with the roll servo connected to the ailerons. There is also significant roll/yaw coupling. Testing demonstrated that the "roll" servo performs at least as well, and will less adverse yaw, when connected to the rudder.
Aircraft kits produced since approx 2015 have Frise-type ailerons and exhibit little or no adverse yaw (source) . In these aircraft, conventional connection to the ailerons is recommended.
BD-4
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV42C (now available!) | Not Applicable (capstan) | Yes |
| Pitch | No | SV42 | Yes |
Customer aircraft of this type flew the autopilot in the Dynon test/development program with good results. Aircraft has significant adverse yaw that is apparent but controllable by the autopilot.
This aircraft exhibits significant adverse yaw with the roll servo connected to the ailerons. There is also significant roll/yaw coupling. Testing demonstrated that the "roll" servo can alternatively be hooked to the rudder to effectively control the aircraft.
Cozy
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV32 | Unknown | No |
| Pitch | No | SV42 | Unknown | No |
No known installations. Servo suggestions based on available data.
Europa
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV32 | Outer | Yes |
| Pitch | No | SV32 | Outer | Yes |
Tested on an installation similar to MOD75 & MOD76 of Europa.
Roll servo: TORQUE=100%, SENSITIVITY=20, TRN RT LMT=0, BANK LIMIT=20
Express
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV42 | Unknown | No |
| Pitch | No | SV42 | Unknown | No |
No known installations. Servo suggestions based on available data.
F-1/Harmon Rocket
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV32 | Unknown | No |
| Pitch | No | SV32 | Unknown | No |
No known installations. Servo suggestions based on available data.
Falco
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV32 | Unknown | No |
| Pitch | No | SV32 | Unknown | No |
No known installations. Servo suggestions based on available data.
Glasair II/III
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV32 | Unknown | No |
| Pitch | No | SV32 | Unknown | No |
No known installations. Servo suggestions based on available data.
Glasair Glastar and Sportsman
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV42C (now available!) | Not Applicable (capstan) | Yes |
| Pitch | No | SV42C (now available!) | Not Applicable (capstan) | Yes |
Customer Glastar Sportsman 2+2 flew the autopilot in the Dynon test/development program with good results.
Lancair 235/260/320/Legacy
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV32 | Yes | |
| Pitch | No | SV32 | Yes |
Customer Lancair 320 flew the autopilot in the Dynon test/development program with good results.
Lancair ES
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV42 | Unknown | No |
| Pitch | No | SV42 | Unknown | No |
No known installations. Servo suggestions based on available data.
Lancair IV-P
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV52 | Middle | Yes |
| Pitch | No | SV52 | Middle | Yes |
SV42s reported to slip. Suggest SV52 for both pitch and roll. SUGGEST SETTINGS:Roll Sensitivity = 17, turn rate mode, max bank = 30 degrees, turn rate = 3.0 degres per second, Pitch = 100% torque (for the time being), sensitivity = 12, Gain = 3.0, Altitude Gain = 0.6, Pull Rate = 1.0, VSI Gain = 1.5, G Error Gain = 1.0, G Error Limit = 0.25, Vertical Climb Speed = 600'/minute, Vertical Descent Speed = 1,500'/minute, Max Air Speed = 250 knots
Lancair Turbine Legend
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV32 | TBD | Yes |
| Pitch | No | SV42 | TBD | Yes |
Murphy Moose
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV42 | Unknown | No |
| Pitch | No | SV42C (now available!) | Not Applicable (capstan) | No |
No known installations. Servo suggestions based on available data.
Paradise P1
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV42 | Yes | |
| Pitch | No | SV42 | Yes |
Thorp T-18
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV32 | Unknown | No |
| Pitch | No | SV32 | Unknown | No |
No known installations. Servo suggestions based on available data.
Velocity
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV32 | Unknown | yes |
| Pitch | No | SV42 | Unknown | yes |
One known installation. Servo suggestions based on available data.
Zenith 601
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV42 | Yes | |
| Pitch | No | SV32C (now available!) | Not Applicable (capstan) | Yes |
Customer aircraft of this type flew the autopilot in the Dynon test/development program with good results
Zenith 701/750/801
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV42 | TBD | No |
| Pitch | No | SV42 | TBD | No |
Jabiru 430
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV42 | Unknown | No |
| Pitch | No | SV42 | Unknown | No |
No known installations. Servo suggestions based on available data, including competitive installations.
Remos G3
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV32 | Outer | Yes |
| Pitch | No | SV32 | Outer | Yes |
Customer aircraft of this type flew the autopilot with good results. Torque 30% Sensitivity 15%
Kitfox 7
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV32 | TBD | No |
| Pitch | No | SV32 | TBD | No |
Long-EZ
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV32 | TBD | Yes |
| Pitch | No | SV42 | TBD | Yes |
Rans S-19
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV42 | TBD | Yes |
| Pitch | No | SV42 | TBD | Yes |
Skyleader 200
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV42 | TBD | Yes |
| Pitch | No | SV42 | TBD | Yes |
Czech Sport Aircraft SportCruiser or Pipersport
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | From Czech Sport Aircraft | SV42 | TBD | Yes |
| Pitch | From Czech Sport Aircraft | SV32 | TBD | Yes |
Many Installations in this popular aircraft. LAA (UK) Modification Approval Process currently in progress as at May 2009.
Aeroprakt A22/A36
| Axis | Dynon Mounting Kit Available | Suggested Servo Type | Suggested Arm Attach Point | Known to work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | No | SV42 | TBD | Yes |
| Pitch | No | SV52 | TBD | Yes |
This information was given to Dynon by Aeroprakt USA.
Available Servos
Currently, the following servos are available for purchase:
Model Number - Torque - Attachment Type
SV32 - 36 inch‐pounds - Standard Arm
SV32L - 36 inch-pounds - Long Arm
SV32C - 36 inch-pounds - Capstan
SV42 - 55 inch-pounds - Standard Arm
SV42L - 55 inch-pounds - Long Arm
SV42C - 55 inch-pounds - Capstan
SV42T - 65 inch-pounds - Linear Actuator
SV52 - 72 inch-pounds - Standard Arm
SV52L - 72 inch-pounds - Long Arm
SV52C - 72 inch-pounds - Capstan
The maximum available force will vary by the length of the arm used or diameter of the capstan employed. Standard arm servos and long arm servos (denoted by an “L” suffix) differ only in the length of their output arms. "L" servos allow for slightly more travel in aircraft that require it, at the expense of a smaller amount of available force at the longer arm attach points. Due to the decrease in available force, long arm servo models should generally only be used in aircraft that require them.
Capstan Servos: Servos that are equipped with a capstan for use in cable control systems are denoted by the "C" suffix. Popular aircraft that use these types of servos include the Zenith 601 (on the pitch axis), the Glasair Glastar series, and the Murphy Moose.
Choosing Servos
There are a few different requirements that need to be met when choosing an autopilot servo. First, the servo employed must be able to attach to the control system safely, without decreasing control surface range-of-motion, and especially without allowing for an over-center condition. Generally, to prevent the possibility of the servo arm going over center, the servo arm must not travel more than a total of +/-60º from neutral throughout the control system's range of travel.
Additionally, the servo must be large enough to be able to drive the control surface effectively. Dynon's servos are designed to gracefully "slip" when the torque that the servo is providing is insufficient to drive the control surface. So if servo torque is insufficient for the application, it will continuously slip, the autopilot will not be able to effectively control the aircraft.
As the torque output can be adjusted in the autopilot software setup, you may be tempted to simply buy the biggest servo available and turn down the torque. This is not ideal for a couple of reasons. First, when the servos are disengaged, there is a very small amount of residual drag on the control system. As larger servos have higher residual drags, it is desirable to choose the smallest servo that can fully control the aircraft control surface. Additionally, since larger servos have bigger motors on them, they weigh slightly more as well.
So, what you are ultimately after is the smallest servo that can can successfully drive your control surface.
The aircraft configurations below are a mix of actual tested configurations and untested estimates based on the best information available to Dynon Avionics.
Specific servo/aircraft combination that have been found to work well in actual customer installations on are marked as "known to work" in the tables below, and are likely to work in your aircraft of the same type if it is a fairly standard example of that type of aircraft.
For aircraft that are not tagged as "known to work" in the tables below, Dynon's servo suggestions are estimates only. If you purchase servos and discover that they are not ideal (for example, you need more torque), Dynon will swap out servos at no charge.
If your aircraft is not listed at all in the tables below, Dynon has not performed any analysis on your aircraft type. In these cases, it might be helpful to review the suggested configuration for similar aircraft types. Keep in mind that aircraft with cable control systems will require servos equipped with capstans, which are not initially available.
If you have new data about an installation in a particular aircraft type, here are some ways to share what you've learned:
- Share your installation pictures, notes, and hardware list with us by emailing them to betatest@dynonavionics.com, so we can learn from your experience. Customer installation notes will be invaluable for us as we continue to design mounting kits.
- Share your installation documentation on the forum (forum.dynonavionics.com) under the Autopilot Installations section, so other users with similar aircraft can learn from and critique your install.
- Add or update your aircraft's servo application guide on this page with notes about performance, etc.
- Consider writing a new wiki article under the appropriate servo application guide on this page, documenting your install.