GPS & Nav/Com with SkyView?

[apkp777]

You still have a long time to worry about avionics. Step one is the empenage kit. You'll be surprised how many things will change as you go along.

[videobobk]

777 is right--you have to start somewhere. While we were building our 9A, there were plenty of changes in what was available for the panel. Then we changed it later (added a 430W and audio panel.) That's why there are all those screws in the panel! Check out the "bargain brands," (XCOM radio, VAL nav units, etc) and see if they will work for you. Watch for used stuff and bargains. I paid $40 for a full set of NEW seatbelts/harness, and even liked the color. If cost is really important, remember there is a huge difference in the cost of props, and a good used engine will save you about $10K. Painting prices can vary widely, as can interiors. None of these things affect the functionality of the airplane all that much, but can save you a ton of money. We put a very nice 9A in the air for about $45K less than five years ago, complete with glass panel. We have added about $10K to that now, but the used engine has cost us only a couple hundred for a new fuel pump. It doesn't burn oil, compression still checks out 78+, and it will last at least another thousand hours before overhaul (it should, anyway.) The main thing is to start pounding those rivets! The rest will happen.

Bob

[Jack Tyler]

S:

One choice made by some pilots in my area was to purchase the non-WAAS 430 units that were coming out of cockpits over in Europe, after WAAS was mandated...or at least, that was the reason given. Another option is to look at some of used gear that's been bench tested, approach approved and are available on the used market (e.g. sold by Bennett Avionics in CT) such as the GX50 or GX60 ($2395/$2695).

Jack

[912ry]

Although a but tricky, the sl 30 will identify a fix defined by two radials. this is done by displaying the standby frequency current radial on the unit while tracking the primary on the skyview hsi. page 15 of the users manual.