Pinstriper
Pre-takeoff checklist
This might be a good deal http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/for/4789287898.html
Beautiful condition little plane. Looks like a King something comm-only. My only problem with this plane is it has zero navigation equipment other than a compass and DG. This must have some implications to primary training and checkrides??
Stick a handheld GPS in it and find a DPE with a clue and you could use it to take a private checkride.
My only problem with it is the one radio.
My only problem with it is the one radio.
Yeah, at a minimum, I think I'd add a NAV/COM to it.
But I'm curious - what would it cost to drop a used 430 into this, and then have the existing radio as a backup? I'm guessing it would need another antenna too...
I think it's a VAL Comm 2000.What kind of COMM is that? I've never seen one like it before.
Stick a handheld GPS in it and find a DPE with a clue and you could use it to take a private checkride.
With a CDI installed with the 430, the cost could surpass the price of the plane.
I don't know, there are some reasonable deals now on used equipment, and even 430/530ws are coming onto the market as they get replaced with 650/750 options. I was talking to my buddies dad the other day who owns an avionics shop that it's now possible to do a 430w installed for under $7500. If the plane appears in person as the pictures represent it, I don't think having $22,500 in that plane would be too bad especially when you consider you can now do your IR in the plane as well and resell it as an IFR airplane instead of VFR.
I was wondering about that, can one find a DPE to accept a plane without a VOR Nav? I'm not super familiar with everything that applies, but to the best of my recollection I can't think of where it would be required.
Looks like a nice enough of a plane it might be worth doing another radio in it.
A 430 is overkill on a 150 and would be one of those upgrades you would lose money on when you go to sell I think. Most upgrades don't hold their value very well because as you pointed out, tech changes fast.
I agree it'd be overkill, but I was thinking that if I were to install a second NAV/COM anyway, perhaps going the used 430 route wouldn't increase the cost substantially. Would dropping in something like a KX-155 be considerably cheaper?
Although maybe just an handheld GPS and backup transceiver is the smartest play here.
Why?.
I think it's a VAL Comm 2000.
VAL avionics makes a VOR head that is a self contained VOR radio with display that fits in a standard hole. I'd look into that maybe. They're much less expensive than big daddy Garmin.
Then stick with a portable GPS.
A 150 should have a VOR for training imo.
Indeed. A lot of folks wouldn't see a problem with not having VOR in an airplane like this. I had a Sport Cub with no VOR for five years and never missed it. I rarely turn on the nav sides of the KX-175Bs in my 172, and then usually only to make sure they still work. Depends on your mission.It's funny where a simple "airplane for sale" posting of an airplane and how far it goes on POA..
Indeed. A lot of folks wouldn't see a problem with not having VOR in an airplane like this. I had a Sport Cub with no VOR for five years and never missed it. I rarely turn on the nav sides of the KX-175Bs in my 172, and then usually only to make sure they still work. Depends on your mission.
Looks like a nice price for a 150L, especially if you prefer $75 burgers over the $100 variety.