N395V
Well Known Member
Someone mentioned the "huge" price premium of glass over steam guages.
Just got out the catalogs and looked for steam guage bargains with at least recognizable manufacturers names and did some price comparison.
I assumed the following:
Both steam guage syatems and EFIS based systems would require similiar cost in transducers, wiring, and plumbing.
The steam guage system would require a vacuum pump and the EFIS a processor.
I used my basic G4 BMA Sport as a Comparison although it could be done for less by using other systems.
For a basic VFR equipped aircraft: A BMA Sport EFIS system for flight, engine instruments, and GPS NAV:
$8,200
Steam Guage Basic VFR aircraft with basic in panel GPS NAV
$7,150
Add the equipment necessary to bring the BMA sport up to full capability,
autopilot, fuel flow, all cylinderCHT/EGT, coupled AP and then do the same for the steam guage plane and the results are:
EFIS $11,700
Steam $ 12,150
Make them both IFR capable just add the price of your desired backups to each syatem.
There is no $10,000 penalty for a glass panel in an experimental and there appears to be no subjective evidence that a glass panel is any less safe than a traditional panel.
As an aside I found that wiring the EFIS was far less of a PITA than wiring and plumbing a steam panel.
Just got out the catalogs and looked for steam guage bargains with at least recognizable manufacturers names and did some price comparison.
I assumed the following:
Both steam guage syatems and EFIS based systems would require similiar cost in transducers, wiring, and plumbing.
The steam guage system would require a vacuum pump and the EFIS a processor.
I used my basic G4 BMA Sport as a Comparison although it could be done for less by using other systems.
For a basic VFR equipped aircraft: A BMA Sport EFIS system for flight, engine instruments, and GPS NAV:
$8,200
Steam Guage Basic VFR aircraft with basic in panel GPS NAV
$7,150
Add the equipment necessary to bring the BMA sport up to full capability,
autopilot, fuel flow, all cylinderCHT/EGT, coupled AP and then do the same for the steam guage plane and the results are:
EFIS $11,700
Steam $ 12,150
Make them both IFR capable just add the price of your desired backups to each syatem.
There is no $10,000 penalty for a glass panel in an experimental and there appears to be no subjective evidence that a glass panel is any less safe than a traditional panel.
As an aside I found that wiring the EFIS was far less of a PITA than wiring and plumbing a steam panel.