New, Affordable Digital Autopilot Options Now Available Through Aspen Avionics and Trio Avionics


The companies announce robust autopilot integration for certified aircraft with the Trio Pro Pilot autopilot and Aspen Avionics Evolution E5 and MAX displays – Packages start at $10,750

Albuquerque NM and San Diego, CA, August 15, 2023:  Today, Aspen Avionics and Trio Avionics (The STC Group LLC) announce the integration of Trio Pro Pilot autopilot and Aspen Avionics display packages for over 12 aircraft models. The combined package(s) can be purchased from Aspen Avionics and Trio authorized dealers and start at $10,750 for the affordable Aspen Evolution E5 flight display and Trio Pro Pilot autopilot.

The Trio Pro Pilot is a two-axis digital autopilot designed for precise navigation and altitude control.  It encompasses all the performance and safety features of Trio’s other systems and makes them available in a single, panel-mounted instrument.  The combined autopilot and display system offers dynamic functionality with control of the autopilot through the Aspen display.

Functions for the E5 and Pro MAX PFD (with v2.12 software) include:
Selected Heading, Selected Course, Corrected Barometric Altitude, Selected Altitude, GPSS, and GPS LPV approaches.

The Pro Pilot autopilot pricing starts at $5,995.  The autopilot enablement software when integrated with the Aspen display(s) is an additional fee of $200 (USD). Customers with existing Trio autopilot installations can return their control head to Trio Avionics to complete the integration for $400 (USD).

“Aspen welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with Trio Avionics to provide an affordable digital autopilot/electronic flight display (EFIS) system for aircraft owners seeking an alternative option beyond a single manufacturer.  We continue to offer an open integration platform that provides aircraft owners a choice when it comes to equipping their aircraft with the latest technology,” said Mark Ferrari, vice president of sales and customer support.

Jeff Odum, managing director and sales manager of the STC Group LLC comments, “Trio Avionics is pleased to offer our autopilot integration with the Aspen Avionics flight display system to the general aviation community.  Like Aspen, we firmly adopt the concept of offering affordable avionics alternatives.  Aspen Avionics systems are by far the most intuitive interface we will develop.  We look to add more functionality as the relationship progresses”.

The baseline Evolution E5 consolidates attitude indicator plus HSI into a single display with a rechargeable backup battery.  It also includes Global Position System Steering (GPSS), air data computer, and attitude heading reference system (ADAHRS). The installation of the Evolution E5 will also enable owners to remove their vacuum system and does not require a backup attitude indicator.

About Aspen Avionics, Inc.
A new way to look at avionics.™

Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Aspen Avionics specializes in bringing the most advanced display and sensor technology from the commercial and business aviation markets into general aviation cockpits—and budgets. Together, our Evolution Flight Display System, and NexNav™ GPS sensors help enable the aviation community to affordably meet the FAA’s NextGen mandate.  Aspen is also responsible for introducing the industry’s first wireless technology that enables transmission of flight plans from an iPad to certified avionics with its patented Connected™ Panel.  At Aspen Avionics, we design products to be affordable, easy to install, and easy to own. The company can be found online at www.aspenavionics.com, and may be reached at (505) 856-5034.

About Trio Avionics (The STC Group LLC)
The STC Group LLC designs and obtains regulatory approvals for the installation in certificated aircraft of autopilots manufactured by Trio Avionics. The same outstanding warranty support that Trio Avionics provides to the Experimental community is provided for certificated aircraft.​

Fusing Tech With Tradition:  The STC Group team was assembled to certify the Trio Pro Pilot experimental autopilot after becoming frustrated with efforts to install a traditional aftermarket autopilot in the CEO’s 1975 Cessna 182P. The STC Group LLC team found that typical analog autopilots were expensive to buy and install and not very sophisticated.  The company can be contacted at www.thestcgroupllc.com.