Trio Pro Pilot  ·  Exclusive Authorized Source

Your Aircraft Can Do More.
So Can You.

Most pilots fly without an autopilot not because they don't want one — but because they don't know if it's right for their aircraft, their panel, or their budget. That's exactly what this is for.

  Tell us what you're trying to solve

What Brings You Here?
Pick the one that sounds like you.
01

"I want to fly safer — especially on long legs or in deteriorating weather."

An autopilot doesn't replace your judgment. It gives you capacity to use it.

This is where the conversation starts
02

"I fly IFR and I want a system I can actually trust on an approach."

GPS approach capability, certified, with EFIS systems you already have.

This is where the conversation starts
03

"Long cross-countries are exhausting. I want the workload off my hands."

Two-axis control. Altitude hold. GPS steering. You monitor, it flies.

This is where the conversation starts
04

"I want a certified autopilot without a $25,000 panel rebuild."

No EFIS required. No Garmin-only GPS. Any A&P with IA can install it.

Details below
05

"I'm planning a panel upgrade and I don't know where to start."

Aircraft compatibility, installer coordination, and panel strategy — before money changes hands.

Details below
40+
Aircraft Models

FAA-certified across Cessna, Grumman, and Piper families

STC
FAA Certified

SA04230CH — not experimental, not provisional

1
Authorized Source

One person answers the phone. One person knows this system cold.

IFR
Owner Operated

Jeff flies a Grumman Tiger IFR with a Trio installed. This isn't a spec sheet.

The Honest Comparison

Garmin makes excellent autopilots.
They're also twice the price.

The GFC500 is a capable system. But it requires a certified Garmin EFIS, a certified Garmin GPS, and a Garmin-authorized installer. Based on real Lafayette Avionics pricing, a clean-sheet GFC500 install on a Grumman with no existing Garmin EFIS runs $32,000–$40,000+. The Trio does the same job on approaches — for less than half that.

Trio Pro Pilot

EFIS required None — steam gauges work
GPS required Any compatible unit
Installer Any A&P with IA
GPS approaches Yes — fully coupled
Typical installed total $11,000–$14,000

Garmin GFC500

EFIS required G5 or GI 275 mandatory — $3,700+
GPS required Garmin GPS only — up to $5,500+
Installer Garmin-certified only — 4–6 mo. wait
GPS approaches Yes — with Garmin GPS
Typical installed total $32,000–$40,000+ (Lafayette Avionics)
Read the full comparison, including Bendix King →
Jeff Johnson's Grumman AA-5B Tiger instrument panel with Trio Pro Pilot autopilot, dual uAvionix AV-30C, and Garmin GNS430W
Who Answers the Phone

Not a sales desk.
A pilot who flies this system.

Jeff Johnson is an instrument-rated Grumman Tiger owner. N1595R has a Trio Pro Pilot installed, paired with dual uAvionix AV-30C units and a Garmin GNS430W. He flies IFR with it. He's flown coupled GPS approaches with it in actual IMC.

When you call TrioAutopilots.com, you talk to Jeff. He reviews your aircraft, your panel configuration, and your mission before making any recommendation. No call centers. No dealer queues. No one reading from a spec sheet.

That's not a marketing line. It's just how this works.

The Process
How This Actually Works
01

Tell Jeff About Your Aircraft

N-number, make, model, existing avionics. That's the starting point. Call, email, or fill out the consultation form.

02

Jeff Confirms Compatibility

STC coverage, panel configuration, EFIS and GPS compatibility — confirmed before any money changes hands.

03

You Get a Clear Path Forward

Equipment recommendation, installer coordination, and a realistic budget — not just the autopilot price.

04

Your Aircraft Gets the Upgrade

System ships, installer is ready, and Jeff is available after first flight when the real questions come up.

The Research Ends Here.
The Conversation Starts Now.

Every pilot who has gone through this process says the same thing: they wish they had made the call sooner. There's no pressure on this end — just a straight answer about whether Trio is right for your aircraft.

Fly the approach.