S-TEC Corporation
American avionics manufacturer known for autopilots and flight-control systems for general-aviation aircraft.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
S-TEC Corporation is a United States avionics manufacturer based in Mineral Wells, Texas. The company was founded in 1978 and developed a position in the general-aviation market through autopilots and related flight-control equipment for small and mid-sized aircraft. Its products have served both the aftermarket, where aircraft owners and maintenance organizations install approved equipment on aircraft already in service, and original-equipment manufacturers that integrate avionics into newly produced aircraft. S-TEC's best-known products are autopilot systems designed to reduce pilot workload and support aircraft stability and navigation. Its portfolio has included the System 20, System 30, System 40/50, System 55X, System 60-2, System 65, IntelliFlight 1950, S-TEC 2100, S-TEC 3100, and S-TEC 5000 families. The company has also offered altitude pre-selectors, altitude alerting equipment, GPS steering interfaces, yaw dampers, and other flight-control components. The S-TEC Sentry is listed among its aircraft-related products. For many years, S-TEC appeared to be a leading supplier in the general-aviation autopilot market for small and mid-sized airplanes. Its competitive position was later challenged by newer integrated avionics offerings, including Garmin's GFC 500 autopilot, introduced in 2017. S-TEC nevertheless remained associated with a large installed base and with supplemental-type-certificate approvals covering numerous aircraft models. The S-TEC 3100 reportedly obtained approval for installation on more than 100 aircraft models. The company underwent several ownership changes. Meggitt acquired S-TEC and S-TEC Unmanned Technologies in 2000 for $24 million. DRS Technologies subsequently purchased the unmanned-aerial-vehicle business from Meggitt in 2002, although the Mineral Wells UAV facility was later closed. Cobham acquired S-TEC in 2008 for $38 million. In April 2014, Cobham sold S-TEC and Chelton Flight Systems to Genesys Aerosystems, bringing the S-TEC product line into Genesys' flight-control and avionics portfolio. On December 21, 2020, Moog announced that it would acquire Genesys Aerosystems Group, including S-TEC. S-TEC is therefore best understood as an avionics brand and operating business within the Genesys Aerosystems and Moog aerospace structure rather than as an independent publicly listed company.
History
S-TEC Corporation was established in the United States in 1978 and built its business around avionics for general aviation. Its principal area of activity became flight-control equipment, especially autopilots for small and mid-sized airplanes. Unlike an aircraft manufacturer, S-TEC supplied systems that could be installed by original-equipment manufacturers or retrofitted to aircraft already in operation through approved aftermarket programs. The company developed a broad family of autopilots and supporting flight-control products. These included the System 20, System 30, System 40/50, System 55X, System 60-2, System 65, IntelliFlight 1950, S-TEC 2100, S-TEC 3100, and S-TEC 5000. Its wider avionics range included altitude pre-selectors, altitude alerting devices, GPS steering equipment, yaw dampers, and the S-TEC Sentry. The brand became particularly associated with certified autopilots used in general-aviation aircraft. S-TEC also operated in unmanned technologies. In 2000, Meggitt acquired both S-TEC and S-TEC Unmanned Technologies for a reported $24 million. In 2002, DRS Technologies purchased the UAV business from Meggitt; the related Mineral Wells facility was subsequently closed. This separated the unmanned-vehicle activity from the core S-TEC general-aviation avionics business. Ownership changed again in 2008, when Cobham purchased S-TEC for a reported $38 million. Cobham later sold S-TEC and Chelton Flight Systems to Genesys Aerosystems in April 2014. Under Genesys, the S-TEC name continued to be used for autopilot and flight-control products. Genesys reported forward-fit relationships involving aircraft manufacturers and integrators including Pilatus, Indonesian Aerospace, Epic Aircraft, and Aviat Aircraft. The S-TEC 3100 achieved Supplemental Type Certificate approval for installation on more than 100 aircraft models, strengthening its role in the retrofit market. S-TEC was historically regarded as a leading participant in the autopilot market for light and medium-sized general-aviation aircraft. The market later became more competitive as manufacturers introduced newer digital and integrated avionics systems. Garmin's GFC 500, launched in 2017, appeared to gain greater popularity in portions of the market, but S-TEC retained a substantial product history and installed-base presence. On December 21, 2020, Moog announced its acquisition of Genesys Aerosystems Group, including S-TEC Corporation. This placed S-TEC within Moog's broader aerospace business through Genesys Aerosystems. Available reference material does not establish a separate current corporate website, independent public listing, or distinct executive roster for S-TEC; the brand is therefore documented primarily through its products, certifications, customers, and ownership history.
- 2020
Moog announces Genesys acquisition
[1]Moog announces its acquisition of Genesys Aerosystems Group, including S-TEC, on December 21.
- 2017
Garmin GFC 500 enters the market
[1]Garmin releases the GFC 500, increasing competitive pressure in the general-aviation autopilot segment.
- 2014
Genesys Aerosystems acquisition
[1]Cobham sells S-TEC and Chelton Flight Systems to Genesys Aerosystems in April.
- 2008
Cobham acquisition
[1]Cobham purchases S-TEC for a reported $38 million.
- 2002
UAV business transferred to DRS Technologies
[1]DRS Technologies purchases S-TEC's UAV business from Meggitt; the related Mineral Wells facility is later closed.
- 2000
Meggitt acquisition
[1]Meggitt acquires S-TEC and S-TEC Unmanned Technologies for a reported $24 million.
- 1978
S-TEC is founded
[1]S-TEC Corporation is established in the United States and begins developing avionics for general aviation.
Products and positioning
A specialist general-aviation avionics brand focused on autopilots and certified flight-control equipment for small and mid-sized aircraft.
Autopilot system
S-TEC 3100
A modern S-TEC general-aviation autopilot designed for the aftermarket and approved for installation across a broad range of aircraft. Reference material states that it obtained Supplemental Type Certificate approval on more than 100 aircraft models.
Autopilot system
S-TEC 2100
A member of S-TEC's autopilot range for small and mid-sized general-aviation aircraft. It belongs to the company's certified flight-control product portfolio.
Autopilot system
S-TEC 5000
A higher-numbered S-TEC autopilot family listed among the company's avionics products for general-aviation aircraft.
Autopilot system
S-TEC System 55X
A widely identified S-TEC system in the company's established family of autopilots for light aircraft and other general-aviation applications.
Autopilot systems
S-TEC System 20, 30, 40/50, 60-2 and 65
A group of legacy and established S-TEC autopilot systems covering multiple aircraft configurations and levels of flight-control functionality.
Flight-control system
IntelliFlight 1950
An S-TEC flight-control product listed among the company's avionics offerings for general-aviation aircraft.
Flight instrument
Altitude pre-selectors and alerting equipment
S-TEC products in this category include the SA-200 altitude pre-selector and the ST-360 altitude pre-selector with an alerter, supporting altitude management and pilot awareness.
Flight-control accessory
GPSS and yaw dampers
Supporting products that interface navigation information with flight-control systems or provide yaw-control functionality in compatible aircraft installations.
Aircraft system
S-TEC Sentry
An aircraft-related product listed in S-TEC's product portfolio. The available reference material does not provide further technical or market detail.
Brand decisions
2020
Moog announces acquisition of Genesys AerosystemsM&ABackground
Genesys Aerosystems owned and operated the S-TEC business.
Action taken
Moog announced the acquisition of Genesys Aerosystems Group, including S-TEC Corporation, on December 21, 2020.
Aftermath
S-TEC became part of Moog's aerospace business through Genesys Aerosystems.
2014
Cobham transfers S-TEC to Genesys AerosystemsM&ABackground
Cobham owned S-TEC alongside Chelton Flight Systems.
Action taken
Cobham sold S-TEC Corporation and Chelton Flight Systems to Genesys Aerosystems in April 2014.
Aftermath
S-TEC continued as a named avionics brand within the Genesys portfolio.
2008
Cobham purchases S-TECM&ABackground
S-TEC was part of Meggitt's aerospace portfolio.
Action taken
Cobham acquired S-TEC for a reported $38 million.
Aftermath
Cobham later sold S-TEC to Genesys Aerosystems in 2014.
Acquisition price. $38 million (2008)
2000
Meggitt purchases S-TECM&ABackground
S-TEC operated in general-aviation avionics while also having an unmanned-technology business.
Action taken
Meggitt acquired S-TEC and S-TEC Unmanned Technologies for a reported $24 million.
Aftermath
The UAV activity was later sold separately to DRS Technologies in 2002.
Acquisition price. $24 million (2000)
Recent events
- 2020
Moog announces acquisition of Genesys Aerosystems, including S-TEC[1]
M&A
Moog announced on December 21, 2020 that it would acquire Genesys Aerosystems Group, Inc., including S-TEC Corporation.
- 2017
Garmin GFC 500 increases competitive pressure in general-aviation autopilots[1]
Product launch · Other
Following the release of Garmin's GFC 500 autopilot, that product appeared to become more popular than S-TEC offerings in parts of the small-aircraft autopilot market.
- 2014
Cobham sells S-TEC to Genesys Aerosystems[1]
M&A
In April 2014, Cobham sold S-TEC Corporation and Chelton Flight Systems to Genesys Aerosystems.
- 2008
Cobham acquires S-TEC[1]
M&A
Cobham purchased S-TEC for a reported $38 million.
- 2002
DRS Technologies purchases S-TEC's UAV business[1]
M&A
DRS Technologies purchased the unmanned-aerial-vehicle business from Meggitt. The Mineral Wells UAV facility was later closed.
- 2000
Meggitt acquires S-TEC and S-TEC Unmanned Technologies[1]
M&A
Meggitt acquired S-TEC and its unmanned-technology subsidiary for a reported $24 million.
Sources1 sources
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