chflyer wrote:
On the plus side, you will likely save some weight.
True. When I did my upgrade, we got rid of the positive control stuff. That box alone weighed about 15 kgs. Then they found some other stuff and wiring which became obsolete, all in all we got some kg lighter despite adding an AP and the Aspen system.
And yes, “cable forensics” can take a lot of time… and at those rates that translates into quite a bit of money too.
A_and_C wrote:
Being in the Avionic business and well aquatinted with the financial and technical minefields that hide behind most instrument panels I feel it unwise to comment on potential labour costs without inspecting the aircraft.
I installed all my own avionics, and really enjoyed the process (homebuilt aircraft). However, after looking behind the panel on other aircraft, I think I’d need 500/hour to do that kind of work professionally. Not to mention the requirement to be a yoga master.
I should have written: “an increase that takes my Payload to over 1,000 ibs” Mea Culpa!
has given me an extra 1,000 lbs Payload.
1000lbs – how is that possible? 100lbs might be just about possible.
chflyer wrote:
On the plus side, you will likely save some weight.
On my recent upgrade of my P28U, the ‘lightness’ of the two new GI 275 (and the removal of the vacuum system) + a Garmin 500 replacing the old autopilot, has given me an extra 1,000 lbs Payload.
Don‘t forget the effort to take out the existing stuff. If this is a TB20, I assume the GFC500 is replacing an existing a/p. Removing the existing a/p is time-consuming, especially the servos and their mounting hardware. The GFC500 will need completely new mounting hardware installation. All those changes will need a complete review and adaption of the wiring design/schematics, and it may be smartest to pull out all the old panel wiring and build a new wiring harness. On the plus side, you will likely save some weight.
The only benefit of using an integrated audio panel is if you are challenged for vertical space caused by going to the taller GTN750 vs the GTN650. The other benefit of one of the new audio panels, integrated or not, is the push to command feature which I found invaluable. Some verbal commands I use frequently: Tune nearest weather, Tune destination Tower, Show Map, Show Traffic, Show Destination Info, Show Procedure. I have attached a copy of the Telligence™ Voice Command Guide which has the commands you can use.
Having flown with both the GTN 650 and the GTN 750, the 750 has a much more user friendly UI.
@NCYankee Re the integrated audio panel in the GTN750 I don’t look at it as a real benefit anymore. Because it is hidden in the menu!
I do change buttons in the audio panel frequently. Having a dedicated row of buttons just for that is valuable for me. I was also thinking about stepping up to a 750 from a 650, but in total I don’t see the benefit any more.
this easily explains 1000 lbs of difference in mass.
