jcmcdowell said:
Yes and Yes.
I was looking for a good answer for a traditional VOR IFR panel with GPS as a navigation aid. I like your suggestion.
Will the GRT couple with VAL INS? Does it add any benefit??
What do you think about:
GRT Horizon I w/ EIS $6k (add 2nd display for $2500 later- build in dual screen harness)
GPS internal $450 (mainly for flight planning purposes)
XCOM 760VHF $1200 (will GRT couple to XCom?? If not- Garmin SL40)
VAL INS 422 $2k (I like it!)
Tru Track Pictoral AP $2k (also Turn & Bank, Skid indicator)
Ameri-King ELT $190
Garmin 327 Transponder $1800 (mode c)
Trad Airspeed Ind
Trad Altimeter
Trad Vert Speed Ind
Panel Mount Whiskey Compass
Double battery
The total hits around 15k and change This is the upper reaches of my comfrotable budget.
Budget Options:
kill AP for now
If GRT Sport had Internal GPS- It would also be different; if could hook up to handheld GPS- but still not a lot of info on the big screen without Horizon. I really want to get as good info as on the Garmin 430 we have in our Warrior.
Am I missing anything critical- Audio Panel, Intercom, more trad instruments??
Good info-
jcmcdowell
flying to Vans Factory 2/21/06; hoping for good weather
9a planning-
JC:
Looking at your list, It appears you are going for minimal cost - an admirable goal. I have several other options that you may consider:
Option 1: ICOM A200 for $729 vs. XCOM 760 at $1,200
Option 2: Garmin SL-30 versus VAL INS 422 and the XCOM 760 (Stark Avi. $3115 with harness). This gives much more capability for less than what you have listed. The EFIS is your external OBS.
Your EFIS and EIS will cost you roughly $7,500 (list) if you want fuel flow, MAP and fuel pressure (Affordable Panels seems to have the best price with up to 5% below list)
Why the vertical speed?
If you kill Atto now, you'll need a TC or a T&B for partial panel. Consider a TruTrak Pitorial T&B now for $425 and then you can have Trutrak upgrade it to a Pictoriial Pilot later for the price delta. I would however, recommend the DigiFlight II series. GRT works very well with those and you will give gain substantial capabilities. The price is more but, I think you can take these recommendations for not much more, all-in-all. Again, Affordable Panels has great prices.
Consider a vertical card compass in place of the standard W compass. It's nice to be able to see the compass rose at all times. This way, you can have your EFIS on ADI view and still see a rose to help with situational awareness. With an EFIS, you have a linear compass on the ADI. I seem to need the rose during busy times for a quick update of situation instead of doing the math such as when in unfamiliar patterns (let's see, runway heading is 253,... what was that flash under my wing, wait, what's the base of the class B I'm under(1500 feet and I'm climbing at 2000 fpm) ...base is 253 + 90 = 133?
An audio panel may not seem to be needed with 1 com and 1 nav however, you will have several other sets of annunciators in your setup (EFIS/EIS, Pictorial T&B, maybe AoA someday, other growth). Add music and such and you are now getting to where you can benefit from a good panel. Look at the PMA-8000B from PSE, is give you great intelli-vox, fade in and out for stereo music. Has a front port for external input of an IPOD or such, can plug your cell phone into the front, marker beackon and ATC recorder. All this for $1685 (with harness) from Stark Avionics.
Some thoughts you may want to consider. I hope this isn't stirring the ashes.
Jekyll