MicroAir
penguin said:
George, Why do you recommend avoiding the Microair transponders? Pete
Well this is for two reasons:
I have read few posts about a T2000 Microair on internet list's. One reported problem about intermittent problems when they where fairly new on the market. It seemed the new replacement did the same thing. I recall it could be related to getting too many interrogations in busy airspace (radar busy, multi class B, C). It was kind of like overloading it or confusing it? I wrote Microair an e-mail and they where very nice but had no complaints and only a few returns. I chalk this up to growing pains or unique one of a kind issue? It makes you wonder. They came out late 2001-early 2002, so no doubt they have made changes since to refine them. They are software driven and noticed they are up to Level C.
(As a side note there are NO experimental transponders. The FAR's are clear that transponders must be TSO'ed or meet TSO specs to be used in an aircraft. Microair is TSO'ed.)
Second, I called a very large avionics dealer, gulf cost avionics, and asked about transponders, repairs, recommendations and so on. They sold Microair them but have stopped. It was implied there where a few too many returns. The real reason I believe is you still must mail it to Australia to get it repaired. As a full meal deal avionics repair station, as well as a retailer, they like to service what the sell. So the combo of returns and the inability to work on them in-house pushed their decision to stop selling them. They had one left when I called. I don't think it was because they are bad, just that other brands gave them less problems and they could support them better.
Therefore there are no earth shaking reasons not to use them. I have no doubt that they will treat their customers well and do everything they can to support their customers as best they can from Australia. It is the same with German made MT propellers, which need to go to Germany for repair. If Microair had 2 or 3 repair centers in the US I would feel better about using their products.
For me the choice is based on repairs. A Garmin, King, Collins or Narco is going to be easier. Many avionics shops have a drawer full of loners to slide in to keep you flying while your unit is repaired. They will even mail them to you. Or you can go on eBay and buy a used one. I am sure Microair will be around for a long time, but it might be an orphan someday
.
Orphaned avionics are not all that uncommon. Terra, Collins even Apollo are orphans to one extent or another. The saving grace is these older units where around for a long time. There are enough parts and used units floating around to keep them going for many years to come. Microair is rare compared to these units, even though they are not in production anymore. So if you have your heart set on one, just be aware of possible problems.
I flew in a fleet of 40-50 piston singles and twins as a CFI and a part 135 charter pilot and all those King, Collins and ARC transponder always worked and never let me down. So you go with what you are comfortable with. A transponder is a passive thing that you set and forget, except when it stops working it can be a real pain, especially if you need to fly where one is required, which is most places now a days. Looking at the archives, I have not seen any problems posted since Aug 04, where a builder found the transponder only replyed 50% of the time during its installation certification test. Was sent back for repair. They may turn out to be a real good unit, time will tell. I look at 2.25" transponders like a laptop vs. a desk top computer, you get more for less with a bigger desktop than the small laptop. With a glider airplane you have no panel space, these small units make sense. In a RV we have plenty of space and can mount full sized avionics.
Cheers George
