BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Apr 2025, 08:21

Random question I can never get a good answer for.

When a plane without a Garmin AP gets the upgrade / are all trim servos replaced with Garmin?

For example - on a PC12 - does the really expensive elevator trim servo in the tail get replaced?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Apr 2025, 10:07

No, linear actuators are generally kept. For example, on the TBM the rudder trim is re-used. On the PC-12 the existing pitch trim actuator is re-used.

Capstan style pitch trim actuators are usually replaced.

Username Protected

Username Protected wrote:

No, linear actuators are generally kept. For example, on the TBM the rudder trim is re-used. On the PC-12 the existing pitch trim actuator is re-used.

Capstan style pitch trim actuators are usually replaced.

Garmin sells an interface to certain non-Garmin servos for this exact purpose. I'm not sure what the price is but it wouldn't surprise me to learn it's equal to or greater than a GFC500 or GFC600 servo.

Username Protected

Username Protected wrote:

No, linear actuators are generally kept. For example, on the TBM the rudder trim is re-used. On the PC-12 the existing pitch trim actuator is re-used.

Capstan style pitch trim actuators are usually replaced.

Garmin sells an interface to certain non-Garmin servos for this exact purpose. I'm not sure what the price is but it wouldn't surprise me to learn it's equal to or greater than a GFC500 or GFC600 servo.

Garmin AP retrofits and servos