Anyone have any experience of this device? It's a roll steer unit that
will couple many GPS units to many autopilots, getting over the
Garmin/STEC requirements for this technology. I'm thinking of putting
one in my Saratoga, and wondered if anyone had fitted one to their
birds, or if they'd used one.......


The GDC31 will convert serial RS-232/422 GPS data into one of two things.
One, it will create an analog heading bug signal that can drive the
autopilot in heading mode using GPS course and course deviation. It works
like what STEC calls a GPSS converter. There is a panel mounted switch that
allows you to switch back and forth between the real heading bug and the
faked heading bug made by the GDC31. Two, it can convert that serial data
into Arinc 429 roll steering messages for autopilots that can use it. This
is for cases where you have an older GPS that has only serial output and
doesn't have a 429 output.

I've seen it work in somebody else's plane, seems to do a good job.