A number of users have spoken up for adding an autopilot to the 185. While perhaps not original equipment IRL, autopilots are said to have been retrofitted by aircraft owners/operators. Would be a benefit to those pilots inclined to autopilot use, and easily overlooked by those pilots who prefer the aircraft model in its as-delivered state. Further, users have stated that there is precedent for adding autopilot functional to aircraft models lacking such equipment as delivered.
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You can buy off the shelf Autopilots for 185s: Garmin GFC 500 for Cessna 180/185 Digital Autopilot
So should definitely be an option.
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Agree. Don’t need anything fancy, just heading and altitude hold would be fine by me.
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Yea. I install GFC 500/600 all the time. We’ve done them on just about every plane out there.
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an old kap autopilot might fit the panel better
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I agree we need an autopilot or Garmin 1000
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I was previously in this boat but now that I’m trying to do some longer cross countries this really does become a big limitation. holding altitudes and headings for long times isn’t a challenge, only differentiates those with nicer peripherals and more spare time—right now we can’t even leave the plane to just go use the bathroom or switch windows to change a song without pausing the sim in the middle of a boring leg 2 hours from the mountains. Those who don’t want it can just say its inop or something. Like just because theres a garmin 530 in the plane doesnt mean youre being forced to shoot instrument approaches everywhere, its just an additional option should you wish to do that
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And there is no issue with having the AP as an option…
No need to apologize, I understand your point entirely. I’m just suggesting that in the aircraft configuration you can have the option to not include the AP.
That way for your flight you won’t have the safety net of the AP hence increasing the risk.
For my Around the World flights in Light GA singles, I only fly in Real Weather and real time. If I have a crash, bad landing etc anywhere on my journey, I restart the whole flight from the origin, never mind how many legs I have completed. It certainly keeps me sharp.
No one forces you to use AP. Best to have it. It should definitely be an option.
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It is a GAME. This isn’t life or death stuff here.
This horse is so dead…
Very good post.
You’ve been dreaming about it, waiting for it, but not believing it would ever arrive…
But here it is (at least for MSFS 2020)
The autopilot for the Carenado C185f Skywagon
Details here: