Pioneering STC Work Means Success for TRIO Autopilot

April 6, 2017 – EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board Jack J. Pelton on Thursday congratulated TRIO Avionics on receiving a supplemental type certificate (STC) for its Pro Pilot installation kits in Cessna 172 and 182 aircraft, noting that EAA’s pioneering work in affordable safety STCs has brought reduced costs to GA aircraft owners.

At a news conference at the SUN ’n FUN International Fly-In & Expo in Lakeland, Florida, Pelton recognized TRIO as one of a growing number of companies developing ways to bring more affordable avionics from the amateur-built community to type certificated GA aircraft. This growth has come rapidly in the past year since EAA joined Dynon and the FAA to announce an STC for a specific avionics package in such aircraft.

The TRIO installation kits STC will be sold through The STC Group, LLC. Additional aircraft are also expected to be added to the STC-eligible list in the near future.

“We are very pleased to see how this EAA idea has created the environment for some truly breakthrough technology from several companies over the past year,” Pelton said. “This is exactly what we hoped would happen, and what can happen when industry and government work together to make things better for aviators.”

Also appearing at the news conference was Andrew Barker of TruTrak, who was recognized for the STC received this week for the installation kits relating to the company’s Vizion autopilot system. Both TRIO and TruTrak are anticipating more FAA approvals by EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017.