OUR HISTORY
Brittain flight control systems are based upon an
original concept developed by engineer/inventor Alick Clarkson, whose basic
concept utilized the aircraft pneumatic system to provide mechanical forces for
flight control. Brittain took Clarkson’s
invention of a canted rate gyro to sense both roll and yaw of the aircraft
simultaneously one step further and introduced the first two-axis autopilot
system in 1961. This was followed by
improved systems…the B-4 in 1963 and B-5 in 1967 and the advanced
instrumentation concepts of the first ever turn coordinator gyro, Brittain
model TC100.
Accurate records are not available prior to 1967,
but for the four years, 1967 through 1970, systems sales averaged about 1900
units per year and it is estimated that Brittain has sold more than 20,000
flight control systems. Major OEM
customers included, and still do include; Beech Aircraft, who made the Brittain
flight control system standard on their line for a number of years, and Mooney
Aircraft, who designed the Brittain flight stabilization system as a basic part
of the aircraft STC.
OUR CAPABILITIES
Brittain holds an FAA Parts Manufacturing
Approval and Technical Standards Orders C3a and C9c. The company also holds a Limited Repair
Station License, #BL4R080M, with instrument and airframe ratings. Among our nearly 300 Supplemental Type
Certificates are a variety of exotic aircraft; Spartan, Grumman, Bellanca, Britten-Norman, Helio, Swift, Sai Marchetti, Wing Derringer, etc. and we offer a 20% discount
to experimental builders.
OUR STAFF
Today, a smaller version of that innovative
autopilot company still exists. The
company is owned and operated by Gerald Walters. Jerry is the son of the late Charles Walters,
who purchased the company in 1984 after more than 20 years as a member of the
Brittain staff. Jerry is a graduate of
Jerry’s sister, Cecilia Henderson, is employed as
Vice-President and Manager of the company.
Ceci holds a degree in Aviation Management and
has been a full time member of the staff since 1989, although she claims to
have worked for the company since 1974.
Kevin Westbrook acts as the companies Production
Manager, repair technician, and customer service representative. Kevin began working for the company in 1978
and has become and integral part of day to day operations. While not actually related to the Walters
clan he grew on us and we are proud to consider him a part of the family.
OUR FUTURE
Brittain continues to provide dependable,
inexpensive options for the general aviation community by using the proven
technology that brought us here to manufacture, service and support our full
line of autopilots. We are also busy
producing a rudder boost servo for the Hawker Beechcraft
King Air series aircraft.
Our knowledgeable staff is always happy to talk
autopilots so why not contact us
today?