FAA-Certified Autopilot for Your Legacy Piper
The Trio Pro Pilot holds FAA STC approval for the PA-24 Comanche family, the complete PA-28 series including Cherokee, Archer, and Arrow, and the PA-32 Cherokee Six and Saratoga. Select your aircraft below to view pricing and order.
Certified Autopilot for Your Piper — No Dealer Network Required.
The Trio Pro Pilot works with the panel you already have. Built-in pitch and roll sensors mean no mandatory EFIS purchase — unlike the Garmin GFC 500, which requires a G5 or GI-275 to operate. If you choose to add an EFIS later, the Trio integrates with G5, Aspen, Dynon SkyView, and uAvionix AV-30C.
Every kit ships with a factory-built wiring harness specific to your Piper model and wing configuration. Your A&P/IA installs it — no Garmin-authorized shop required. Any A&P holding Inspection Authorization can complete the installation under the STC.
What Does a Piper Autopilot Actually Cost?
The most common question — and the one nobody publishes honestly. Here's the full picture for PA-28 and PA-32 owners.
Trio Pro Pilot vs Garmin GFC 500 for Piper Owners
Two capable certified autopilots for the PA-28, PA-32, and PA-24. Very different price points and installation paths.
Choose the Trio Pro Pilot if…
You own a PA-28 Cherokee, Archer, or Arrow — or a PA-32 Cherokee Six or Saratoga — and want a modern two-axis certified autopilot without a full panel rebuild. The Trio is also available for the PA-24 Comanche in all single-engine variants.
You have a trusted local A&P or avionics shop and want the flexibility to use them. The Trio installs under the STC with any A&P holding Inspection Authorization. No Garmin dealer required, no waitlist, no proprietary service network.
You already have a GPS — Garmin 430W, 530W, Avidyne IFD, or a portable — the Trio works with what you own. No new navigator required to fly coupled GPS approaches with vertical guidance when connected to a WAAS GPS via ARINC 429.
Consider the GFC 500 if…
You fly ILS approaches to minimums regularly and need full coupled instrument approach capability including ILS. The GFC 500 provides this — the Trio Pro Pilot does not couple to ILS approaches.
You're already invested in the Garmin ecosystem with a G5 or GI-275 installed, a GTN navigator, and a Garmin-authorized shop you trust. In that configuration the GFC 500's cost premium shrinks because the mandatory EFIS hardware is already installed and paid for.
Your PA-28 or PA-32 is used primarily for serious IFR operations and budget is secondary to maximum autopilot capability. The GFC 500 is an excellent autopilot — it's simply a different product for a different mission profile.
Three product kits cover the complete Piper STC lineup. Each kit is configured at order for your wing type, electrical system voltage, and preferred mounting location.
PA-24 Comanche
The Trio Pro Pilot is FAA-certified for the PA-24 Comanche in all single-engine variants — the 180, 250, 260, and 400. One installation kit covers the complete Comanche lineup. Modern two-axis autopilot capability: altitude hold, vertical speed, GPS approach, and envelope protection.
Voltage: 14V or 28V · Mounting: Radio stack, panel mount, or 3⅛" instrument hole
PA-28 Series
The Trio Pro Pilot is FAA-certified for the complete PA-28 family — Cherokee, Archer, Warrior, and Arrow variants. The PA-28 requires selecting the correct kit for your wing configuration: the original Hershey bar wing and the tapered wing introduced in the mid-1970s use different installation hardware.
Wing type: Hershey bar or tapered · Voltage: 14V or 28V · Mounting: Radio stack, panel mount, or 3⅛" instrument hole
PA-32 Series
The Trio Pro Pilot is FAA-certified for the PA-32 Cherokee Six, PA-32-300, PA-32S-300 Saratoga, PA-32R-300 Lance, and PA-32RT-300 Turbo Lance. One installation kit covers the complete PA-32 lineup. Flies coupled GPS approaches with vertical guidance when paired with a WAAS GPS via ARINC 429.
Voltage: 14V or 28V · Mounting: Radio stack, panel mount, or 3⅛" instrument hole
What's Included With Every Piper Kit
FAA Certified
STC SA04230CH covers the PA-24, PA-28, and PA-32 families. Not experimental. Signed off by any A&P with IA. Full STC documentation ships with every kit.
Model-Specific Hardware
Factory-built wiring harness for your specific Piper model and wing configuration. Hardware pre-matched. Typical shop time 40–45 hours. Your installer installs — not fabricates.
GPS Approach Capable
Flies full coupled GPS approaches with vertical guidance when paired with a WAAS GPS via ARINC 429. Compatible with Garmin, Avidyne, Dynon, Aspen, and uAvionix AV-30C.
No EFIS Required
Built-in pitch and roll sensors. Works with steam gauges or a modern EFIS. Add a G5, Aspen Pro Max, Dynon SkyView HDX, or uAvionix AV-30C later to enhance capability — none are required to operate.
Talk to Jeff About Your Piper
Jeff reviews your aircraft model, wing configuration, existing avionics, and mission before making any recommendation. For PA-28 owners, knowing your wing type upfront saves time — but N-number is not required to start the conversation.
540-309-6427 · jeff@trioautopilots.com
FAA-certified. Pilot-tested. The only autopilot Jeff recommends — because it's the only one he flies.