Avionics in your plane (owned or rental)

spiderweb

spiderweb

Final Approach
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Feb 22, 2005
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Ben
So, what've you got? What is a godsend, what's ok, and what is a waste of money? How did you make your choices?

I'm primarily interested in retrofits, since we all know that a G4000000000 with the ability to do your dishes and pay your taxes, installed, is obvious.
 
Garmin 430 (non waas) and an MX20. The 430 is hooked up to a King HSI. I could take or leave the mx20, but I would be lying if I said I'd be OK without an HSI again. Has an autopilot, the nav o matic, but its labeled inop till the boyfriend finishes his ifr ride.
 
Garmin 530/430 waas with an HSI, KFC 200 autopilot, and a JPI 700 engine monitor with fuel flow. The engine monitor is a real lifesaver, and I consider it a safety of flight item. It's nice seeing nice low CHTs around 330 in cruise that assure me all it right under the cowling. I did my penance flying A LOT of XC (350 hours) in an airplane without an autopilot and 530 hours total in it. Now I usually fly with the autopilot unless I feel like handflying (which is probably about 75/25 in favor of the autopilot. The 530/430 is nice but other than having big screens my iPad will do pretty much all the same stuff except enable me to file /G and shoot an RNAV approach. For sure I would need atleast a 430 in any airplane that I intend on flying IFR in though.
 
Z06_Mir said:
Garmin 430 (non waas) and an MX20. The 430 is hooked up to a King HSI. I could take or leave the mx20, but I would be lying if I said I'd be OK without an HSI again. Has an autopilot, the nav o matic, but its labeled inop till the boyfriend finishes his ifr ride.
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That sounds pretty complete! What about weather and traffic?
 
DavidWhite said:
Garmin 530/430 waas with an HSI, KFC 200 autopilot, and a JPI 700 engine monitor with fuel flow. The engine monitor is a real lifesaver, and I consider it a safety of flight item. It's nice seeing nice low CHTs around 330 in cruise that assure me all it right under the cowling. I did my penance flying A LOT of XC (350 hours) in an airplane without an autopilot and 530 hours total in it. Now I usually fly with the autopilot unless I feel like handflying (which is probably about 75/25 in favor of the autopilot. The 530/430 is nice but other than having big screens my iPad will do pretty much all the same stuff except enable me to file /G and shoot an RNAV approach. For sure I would need atleast a 430 in any airplane that I intend on flying IFR in though.
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Right. The CHTs and EGTs are what mostly occupy my attention in cruise. I'm not sure if I am better off having the engine's vitals, or if it is better just soldiering on, oblivious!
 
spiderweb said:
That sounds pretty complete! What about weather and traffic?
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I've got a 3M storm scope that kinda works and an iPad with foreflight and stratus. Garmin 330 provides traffic if I'm in TIS coverage but your eyeballs work better than doodads for spotting airplanes.
 
spiderweb said:
That sounds pretty complete! What about weather and traffic?
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None :( I think I can get a WSI subscription for the mx20 but it's far from a priority. I have my iPad for a little weather just a plain mode C transponder too. We will see how the future plays out with the ADS-B. whether the panel will get upgraded one day or if ill upgrade planes before that is unknown. I'm very happy with her as is :D

I would love an engine monitor though. That is probably the next big purchase. There's even a spot on the right side of the panel for it. Maybe this summer.
 
spiderweb said:
Right. The CHTs and EGTs are what mostly occupy my attention in cruise. I'm not sure if I am better off having the engine's vitals, or if it is better just soldiering on, oblivious!
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In my 172 the cylinders would run hellfire hot. Usually the coolest one was around 400 degrees, in the Mooney I've never seen a cylinder above 370 or a oil temp above 195.
 
Z06_Mir said:
None :( I think I can get a WSI subscription for the mx20 but it's far from a priority. I have my iPad for a little weather just a plain mode C transponder too. We will see how the future plays out with the ADS-B. whether the panel will get upgraded one day or if ill upgrade planes before that is unknown. I'm very happy with her as is :D

I would love an engine monitor though. That is probably the next big purchase. There's even a spot on the right side of the panel for it. Maybe this summer.
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Engine monitors are amazing, but also distracting!
 
Z06_Mir said:
None :( I think I can get a WSI subscription for the mx20 but it's far from a priority. I have my iPad for a little weather just a plain mode C transponder too. We will see how the future plays out with the ADS-B. whether the panel will get upgraded one day or if ill upgrade planes before that is unknown. I'm very happy with her as is :D

I would love an engine monitor though. That is probably the next big purchase. There's even a spot on the right side of the panel for it. Maybe this summer.
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Wait until SnF or Oshkosh to buy one. I got $900 off the one for my 172 - I think I ended up paying $1300 for a $2200 unit. Have them ship it and you won't need to pay sales tax, either.
 
CNX-80 GPS (aka GNS 480), SL-30, GMX-200 MFD with ADS-B traffic and XM weather, Sandel 3308 eHSI, STEC-20 plus GPSS and VSS, WX-900 Stormscope, EDM-700 engine monitor. I agree with David that the engine monitor is a safety of flight item. But I also wouldn't want to be without WAAS. My first solo IFR flight, I wouldn't have gotten in at my destination without it. The HSI really makes choosing an intercept angle intuitive, and helps a lot with situational awareness when flying approaches and holds. It's not quite a MUST, but very close. Traffic is a help but I could live without it; XM weather is another safety item, though doesn't have to be installed. The autopilot is great for easing the workload in cruise, but does not turn aggressively enough to let it fly an entire approach. The WX-900 is almost useless as the display is barely readable during the day, and not at all at night.

Overall the 480 and the HSI are the most important instruments in my panel. I could certainly fly the plane on steam gauges and the NAV2 CDI, but it would be a lot harder.
 
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Well I rent and teach in quite a few airplanes, but I use an AATD to keep instrument current, which has a 530W, an HSI and a flight director.
 
GNS 430 with WAAS, SL-30, GMA 340, GTX 330, panel mounted 696 wired to the 430, EI MVP-50 engine monitor, S-Tec 30 with GPSS and dual GI 106A indicators. Wish I had an HSI, but it'll have to wait. Love all of it except the 430. It is what it is. The thing is a pain in the ass to use, but I can't afford to upgrade right now. It's slowly becoming the enemy I know.
 
Garmin 530 (WAAS install this fall), Garmin 496 (xm wx and traffic), Garmin 327 transponder, Zaon traffic (coupled to 496), JPI 700 engine monitor. Century I A/P ( this needs an upgrade!)

I'm in the install phase with the transponder, may still do the 330ES. I really want an auto pilot, single pilot IFR can get busy and some A/P help would be nice enroute. Looking at the Stec 30 with Alt. hold.
 
530 with waas,stec 55x, weather in the 530, 830 engine monitor. The gps and autopilot combo has some pretty amazing capabilties.
 
Mine is decently loaded. Steam gauges but has 430W and AP w/GPSS. The 430 is the last thing I'd give up in my panel. As far as utility, I have really grown dependent on the engine monitor.
 
I have a '75 182P with a Garmin 530W driving a KCS55A HSI, a KY-197, KNS-80, GTX 330 mode S transponder with Traffic, GDL-69 XM WX, STEC 55 with GPSS, and a EDM 830 engine analyzer and fuel flow. It's a pretty decent set-up for a steam gauged plane.
 
Mine is Triple-A equipped. Autopilot, Altitude Hold and Air Conditioning (portable). What's not to like?
 
I believe the answer to this question depends on what you fly. IFR plane needs a lot more then a VFR plane, and a VFR without electrics can use almost no instruments.

I just attained the Light Sport Saftey Convention or whatever they call it, in Springfield IL over the weekend. Jim Sweeney of Sweeney Corp went into great detail on the I-Pod or I-Pad. I am not into these so know very little about them.

But what I did learn was, these tools offer a lot of programs that reduce the amount of clutter in a cockpit. What I liked was how you could see your airplane right on the sectional.
You can also get Traffic.

Gauges in my airplane of 40 hp. with out a charging system.

Dual CHT Gauges.
Oil Temp.
Oil Pressure
ALT.
ASI
12V Turn Bank
Manifold Pressure
Tach with HR meter
GPS
TAS

Fly Smart
 
I did the bare minimum to be /G, which does not have to cost very much.

Old garmin 300 non-map ifr gps/com
KX155 with GS
396 with XM weather cross-filled from the 300
KR87 ADF (which i still use occasionally for approaches as well as listening to talk radio)
Old KT76A transponder that won't die
My lone extravagence is an STEC-50.
 

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Apollo GX-60 (IFR Approved!)
Century I autopilot
Engine Analyzer (CHT and EGT only)
iPad

That's about it in terms of modern avionics in my plane.

I miss the 430 (non-WAAS) in the 172 I trained in but I don't think I can convince the partners to upgrade.
 
I'm experimental so... 3 GRT/HX displays driven primarily by a G430W. An SL30 and PMA9000X audio panel to round out the nav/comm stack. A GRT EIS for engine data and a Navworx ADSB transceiver hooked to a G327for traffic and weather. And my best friend "Tiger" aka a Trutrak 2 axis AP.

Tiger is a godsend. Hard to imagine going back to single pilot IFR without a AP.

Weather and Nexrad has always been a game changer though I'm not sure the ADSB implementation is ideal. I started with Cheapbastard on a Palm which was a gamechanger at the time. The Garmin 396 weather was fantastic and I'm sure the later units are even better. ADSB is lacking a bit but the price is right.

Engine monitoring has enabled me to fly LOP. 9.5 - 12 GPH on an IO540. That has a direct impact on the pocket book ... every flight. It's also enabled me to tune the injectors at low cost for smoothest performance at LOP.
 
We've got an Aspen, 530W, 430W, KWX56 radar, WX-500 stormscope, GTX 327 transponder, and GMA 340. Engine monitor and backup instruments as well, plus a mostly-complete set on the co-pilot's side, and a Century III to try to fly me into a mountain.

The Aspen was the most logical replacement for the aging Collins AI/HSI that wasn't working well and making very ugly noises. WAAS is very nice to have, my favorite features being terrain awareness and vertical guidance on GPS approaches. Having two is mostly for redundancy purposes, but also helps with having a second display that one can put on terrain, etc. We have no traffic yet, and when ADS-B gets nationwide then we'll likely add a new box for it.

The only thing I really consider a must-have is the engine monitor, followed by the weather equipment and then WAAS. Everyone's flying is different, which impacts what sort of avionics are helpful. We do long trips with weather considerations and through middle of nowhere places that have no airports nearby. So, we benefit more from the extras than most probably do.
 
The Frankenkota has an Aspen, 430w, SL-30, UBG-16 and an Altimatic IIIc. Ipad and Stratus are usually on board for back-up nav, info, and weather. Audio oanel is a PMA-8000B. There's also a DME and 270 transponder. The synthetic vision is turned on for the Aspen but I'm not convinced it's a major step up from the 430w. The GPSS in the Aspen is very worthwhile and the aircraft will fly nice approaches. A wet vacuum pump was added to make sure the IIIc has good attitude data. For a PA-28 the avionics may be a bit of overkill but that doesn't bother me too much. It's fun to play with the toys while en-route.

The panel was pretty much factory when I got the plane. I probably should have just replaced the radios and bolted on the wet pump but live and learn. The GPSS is really nice but didn't need the Aspen to do that.
 
GNS530W, SL40, GTX330, Narco Nav122 for backup, and original 6-pack instruments. Only thing I'd really like that I don't have is an S-TEC 30 with GPSS.
 
The standard 3 pack and magnetic compass, with portable radio, and backing them up is the G1000. Oh and when my luck is really bad, I have the 796 for double back up. There is an IPAD someplace in my flight bag, but I keep on forgetting to charge it
 
GNS480 (Love it), MX20 (love my XM Weather, the traffic is OK, the other stuff only mildly interesting), STEC 55X autopilot (nice but I'd give p it first before I give up the GNS 480), SL/30 nice solid nav/com, KN-64 DME which is a relic of the past that I never turn on, and the GTX33 transponder.
 
RV-10 has dual Cheltons with Electronic International engine monitor slaved to the Cheltons. Garmin radios and transponder.

Chelton Sierra is an amazing EFIS. Rock solid. The HITS ( Highway In the Sky) draws boxes for approaches. Fly through the boxes and you find the runway. The Tru Trac AP will fly the approach to the ground if you let it. Makes IFR approaches easy.
 
When I had my cherokee:

standard six pack
Clock
Strikefinder
Stec 40 autopilot, DG had the pickoff for the autopilot and Strikefinder
GEM 602 4 cylinder EGT/CHT
kma 20
KX-155 w/GS
KX-125
KR-86
KN-64
KT-76

I liked having the strikefinder for the little IMC flying I did. The autopilot was nice for IMC, but not necessary.

Notably "missing" from my panel was any GPS (VFR or IFR). I never even bothered with a handheld GPS.
 
Mooney: KLN89B GPS, KFC150 autopilot w/flight director and altitude preselect, dual KX165, HSI, strikefinder, Insight GEM engine monitor, Argus 2000 color "moving map" and ERMI, Garmin 327 transponder, DME, ADF (electronic w/indication on the Argus).

DA40: G1000 w/XM datalink, KAP140 w/altitude preselect.

182: Garmin 430W, S-TEC 50 2-axis autopilot, MAC1700 digital flip-flop #2 nav/com, JPI EDM 700 with fuel flow and carb temp.
 
I am marveling that the avionic being described here in our little airplanes would make the airline crews of the 1980s jealous.
 
1600vw said:
Yep thats about it. Just a basic panel.
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I flew around a Cessna 150 thay only had a KY197 com radio and basic instruments with veturi driven gyros for years. Never had any trouble getting into or out of the near class D airports. Then I moved to Lincoln Nebraska, a nice class C airport, and I traded the airplane off.
 
4 planes in the club.

Arrow - /U A couple VOR receivers, one with GS. ADF is inop (and belongs in a museum, anyway - analog tuning dial)

C182 - /A Add DME to what the Arrow has

C172P - I think it is /A, but I haven't flown it in a while and would have to look

C172N - /G GNS430W in the panel. ADF was removed when we installed the 430.

So, it all depends. I really like the 430W. I really miss DME when flying a plane without it.

Fancy glass? Never had the experience of flying with it.
 
The 182Q has a 430W, KX155 with glideslope, King transponder, an old ADF that works well, but doesn't receive radio stations very well. Basic audio panel and 4 place intercom, with a 396 for back up GPS and music input.:D oh and a Nav-o-matic autopilot that actually works.:D
Charlene has a 530W, SL30, MX 20, PM 8000 audio panel, GTX 330 with TIS, GLD 69A for XM weather and radio for the MX 20 and 530W, color radar, Bendix autopilot and an Aspen PFD.
 
GNS530W, KCS55A, KMA350, KNS80, GI106A, GTX330, KY197A, Stec 60-2 with Yaw Damper, Electric trim, FD, GPSS, ACK-04 ELT, GDL69A, AICD, WX1000+, AOA Indicator, backup RCA-2600-3. JPI EDM700, Shadin Fuel totalizer.

GDL88 on order, Shading ADC-200 to be installed.
 
Mine is a basic VFR panel.... Don't need much for a bush plane..:no:

Left side has steam gauges for flight instruments + JPI 450 fuel flow and totalizer. Center stack had a King KMD 150 MFD, Icon 200, Mode C transponder,Ps 1000ll intercom.
The entire right side is reserved for engine monitoring /documentation..
RPM, oil pressure, oil temp. 3 water temp gauges with probes mounted in strategic locations in the powerplant, manifold vacuum, non shunted ammeter, 1800f EGT, fuel pressure, A/F mixture gauge that uses a O2 sensor.
 

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spiderweb said:
So, what've you got? What is a godsend, what's ok, and what is a waste of money? How did you make your choices.
Click to expand...

530w
VoiceFlight
Sandel 3308 Ehsi
Kx155 nav -com
King Dme
Stormscope
Stec 55x
340
330
796 w/ XM wx / plates
iPad /plates
Insight 610 engine analyzer
Horizon digital tach
JPI fuel totalizer



Dme rarely gets used.
 
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