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04-04-2019, 07:12 PM
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Liberty, MO
Posts: 252
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andyrv
I was going to try the Avionics Lab at Higginsville (KHIG) not far from KLXT. They did a good job on a light sport (VFR only) for me for $100 but they probably don't know much about the Garmin or GRT experimental units. I would make sure that you know how to do all of the calibration programming and do the work with them.
In the end I just flew down to 52F last week and had Walt take care of it as usual. Got in a few hours of flying time and still probably spent less money (including fuel) than I would have with a local shop that is not inherently familiar with today's experimental avionics.
Andy
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Higginsville Avionics did my RV-8 IFR check with a AFS 5600 and G5. He had to remove and test the G5 and did not charge more than the quoted amount ($250, I think). There was another minor adjustment that Stanton just took care of. I was there and waited for the job but wasn't needed as he figured it all out, including the AFS calibration. I was very happy with the job. There is a nice park with a lake that it is a pleasure to walk around and I made use of their WiFi to get some work done.
A very positive experience. Plus, he has a sense of humor......when I asked him why there was a few feet difference in the altimeter on the G5 and the AFS, he said that a guy with one altimeter always knows his altitude. A guy with two altimeter always wonders which is correct because the acceptable variance (just a few feet) will allow a minor difference. It caught me off guard and I thought that it was hilarious-it is losing something in the translation, I am sure.
John
RV-8
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04-04-2019, 07:53 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Dallas/Ft Worth, TX
Posts: 5,687
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John Owen
Plus, he has a sense of humor......when I asked him why there was a few feet difference in the altimeter on the G5 and the AFS, he said that a guy with one altimeter always knows his altitude. A guy with two altimeter always wonders which is correct because the acceptable variance (just a few feet) will allow a minor difference. It caught me off guard and I thought that it was hilarious-it is losing something in the translation, I am sure.
John
RV-8
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Actually the tolerance is +/-20ft on the ground (0-1000ft) so you could see a 40ft split and everything still be within limits.
__________________
Walt Aronow, DFW, TX (52F)
EXP Aircraft Services LLC
Specializing in RV Condition Inspections, Maintenance, Avionics Upgrades
Dynamic Prop Balancing, Pitot-Static Altmeter/Transponder Certification
FAA Certified Repair Station, AP/IA/FCC GROL, EAA Technical Counselor
Authorized Garmin G3X Dealer/Installer
RV7A built 2004, 1700+ hrs, New Titan IO-370, Bendix Mags
Website: ExpAircraft.com, Email: walt@expaircraft.com, Cell: 972-746-5154
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04-04-2019, 08:04 PM
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Liberty, MO
Posts: 252
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walt
Actually the tolerance is +/-20ft on the ground (0-1000ft) so you could see a 40ft split and everything still be within limits.
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Mine is 20 ft. tops so obviously within acceptable limits. It just provokes my mild OCD every time, though 
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04-04-2019, 08:18 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Canadian_JOY
Most established avionics shops have test equipment to do pitot-static and transponder correlation tests... but the trick is that many of them are only able to do so on Mode A/C transponders. The switch to 1090ES changes the situation entirely, necessitating a test set capable of interpreting the Mode S data. This is a pretty expensive piece of hardware and shops are undoubtedly going to want to have their customers pay for that piece of hardware, one IFR check at a time.
For some of the high-volume shops the cost of the test equipment will be lost in the noise. For a lower-volume shop the test equipment cost will be significant on a per-aircraft basis. We've seen the same effect on mandatory annual ELT recertification costs here in Canada - 406MHz ELTs cost nearly triple what a 121.5MHz ELT costs for recertification. A big driver is the cost of the test equipment.
Still, even if the shop doubled their costs for the 24 month IFR certification it shouldn't come to $1100. That's simply abusive.
It won't hurt you to point that shop to this forum so they can see how many "never go there" recommendations are accruing against their corporate reputation.
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Specific testing for Mode S is not the same as specific testing for ADSB out that was previously mentioned.
The repair station we have used for many years is a very well know business here in the north west. They know what they are doing and have all of the new equipment, but they don't do anything different because an airplane is ADSB out equiped (and BTW, they don't charge $300+ to do a VFR transponder cert. either).
__________________
Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.
Scott McDaniels
Van's Aircraft Engineering Prototype Shop Manager
Hubbard, Oregon
RV-6A (aka "Junkyard Special ")
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04-04-2019, 08:24 PM
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: Sherman, CT
Posts: 794
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Duncan is a great place to take have your corporate jet worked on (especially if you are not writing the checks).
But an RV? I think not! Stick with a local shop that understands owner flown GA aircraft.
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Jake
RV6 #20477 completed 1991 sold.
RV7 #72018 N767T first flight 11/21/2017 350+ hrs.
IO-360M1B MT 3 blade, Dual AFS 5600 QUICK Panel.
Manual Flaps. (KOXC)Oxford, CT, (0NY0)North Creek, NY.
1941 J3 Cub skis,floats.
2020 dues gladly paid.
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04-04-2019, 08:32 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,291
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002
Specific testing for Mode S is not the same as specific testing for ADSB out that was previously mentioned.
The repair station we have used for many years is a very well know business here in the north west. They know what they are doing and have all of the new equipment, but they don't do anything different because an airplane is ADSB out equiped (and BTW, they don't charge $300+ to do a VFR transponder cert. either).
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Scott - I believe you may have misconstrued my comments above.
To clarify... a Mode C test set often may not be able to accurately decipher the Mode C altitude transmitted by a Mode S transponder. This means that to do the IFR check on an airplane equipped with a Mode S or S/ES transponder, the shop needs to have a test set capable of "reading" Mode S replies. This does not imply any testing specific to ADSB - it solely is a function of the 24 month Pitot/Static/Transponder Correlation test. The test set has to be able to accurately decode the Mode C reported altitude. If the test set can't do that because a Mode S or Mode S/ES transponder is being tested, well, the shop will be out a bunch of cash to buy a test set that is Mode S/ES capable.
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04-04-2019, 09:12 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Canadian_JOY
Scott - I believe you may have misconstrued my comments above.
To clarify... a Mode C test set often may not be able to accurately decipher the Mode C altitude transmitted by a Mode S transponder. This means that to do the IFR check on an airplane equipped with a Mode S or S/ES transponder, the shop needs to have a test set capable of "reading" Mode S replies. This does not imply any testing specific to ADSB - it solely is a function of the 24 month Pitot/Static/Transponder Correlation test. The test set has to be able to accurately decode the Mode C reported altitude. If the test set can't do that because a Mode S or Mode S/ES transponder is being tested, well, the shop will be out a bunch of cash to buy a test set that is Mode S/ES capable.
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Ok
My original question earlier (the one you quoted) was related to a post saying that there was specific testing for ADSB out, so I guess that is why I didn't understand how your comment related to mine........
__________________
Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.
Scott McDaniels
Van's Aircraft Engineering Prototype Shop Manager
Hubbard, Oregon
RV-6A (aka "Junkyard Special ")
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04-05-2019, 08:45 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Tacoma
Posts: 77
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My first bill for the static - altimeter check on my RV4 was around $850. Same general story as yours. GRT Hx and Dynon D6 needed the test, there was a leak, and they spend hours tracking it down. Ended up being a cracked block on my TruTrak autopilot.
Just had it checked again last month, but this time I bought a monometer and tested it myself first. Found some leaking fittings and got it all sorted.
Test this time around was about $200 and done fast 
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__________________
Martin Buehler
2004 RV4 N1080J
IO320 - CS - IFR
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04-05-2019, 08:51 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Newport, TN
Posts: 7,496
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mbuehler
Just had it checked again last month, but this time I bought a monometer and tested it myself first. Found some leaking fittings and got it all sorted.
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This is a great idea that many would benefit from. I did similar in that I built a manometer when my RV was ready for first flight and it worked great to ensure no leaks and accuracy before I was paying someone for their time. I have used it ever since to spot check the plane and at annuals.
So far my SafeAir style static system has been leak free from the beginning. The TT AP plastic is well know for being easy to crack. I think they include warning stickers on them now.
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04-22-2020, 12:30 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Vaca Moo Airport - TA37 in East TEXAS
Posts: 1,331
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brantel
I did similar in that I built a manometer when my RV was ready for first flight and it worked great to ensure no leaks and accuracy before I was paying someone for their time. I have used it ever since to spot check the plane and at annuals.
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I'd like to do that on mine before I take it in for the static and transponder tests to make it easier and faster. What did you use, one of those pumps on blood pressure monitors like this one?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BLOOD-PRESS...MAAOSw6WleVTl~
I was thinking of using this instead. Anyone use one of these pumps?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Steel-Core-...0AAOSwRvdZaR8a
__________________
RV-8 N52VM: OnSpeed Gen2 AOA-3D, Dynon D-180, Autopilot, Titan 0-360A1A, Hartzell C/S, INS-429 IFR & GPS496, WingX & Stratux for backup & ADS-B IN. Enjoying life while building an airpark with FREE campsite for pilots www.facebook.com/VacaMooAirport/
Exempt by 3 out of the 10 ways but I still donated.
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