Saturday, April 07, 2007

Upgrades Complete

We picked Mike Hotel up on Tuesday, before Winter returned to Cleveland. (Currently, there are 5+ inches of snow outside my townhouse. When we picked the plane up, it was 75+ and the ASOS was reporting density altitude.)

As you may have read, we recently overhauled the panel. There really wasn't anything wrong with it, but MS and I won the MegaMillions and we decided to blow a few thousand each on some new goodies. OK, part of that statement is a lie, I imagine you know which part. Hint: the "few thousand" may, in fact, be an understatement.

Currently, the panel now consists of:
  • Garmin 430 GPS/NAV/COM with GI-106A indicator
  • Garmin MX-20 (sporting a brand new display and other upgrades after an service call)
  • Garmin GMA 340 audio selector panel
  • MAC 1700 digital NAV/COM with VOR/LOC/GS and KI-209 indicator
  • Garmin 327 digital transponder
  • Garmin 396 portable GPS with XM WX Satellite Weather, hardwired for power and slaved to 430 for automatic input of flightplan data
In addition, we had a bypass installed on the #2 COM antenna. In the event of electrical failure, we can disconnect the #2 COM radio from the antenna and patch in our handheld transceiver. That should give us much better range than the antenna on the transceiver itself.

I know, I know, you want pictures. Sure 'nuf, Igots 'em right here:


(Note: "GPS for VFR" placard will be removed when FAA sends in approval paperwork.)


See it for yourself in Toronto!!!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

So, questions....

Is the MX-20 driven by the 430 or standalone?

Why the "GPS for VFR only" placard?

Dave Starr said...

Very nice installation indeed. The part that amazes me most about the "GPS Revolution" is how the traditional radio companies completely "missed the boat" and let newcomers to aviation, such as Garmin spring up and completely capture the market. A great business lesson illustrated, but not explained by, new technology.