Today's Message Index:
----------------------
1. 06:49 AM - Re: Blue Mountain EFIS (Speedy11@aol.com)
2. 07:00 AM - Re: LED Lighting (Speedy11@aol.com)
3. 07:39 AM - Re: Blue Mountain EFIS (rampil)
4. 09:19 AM - Re: Blue Mountain EFIS (CharlieTango)
5. 01:19 PM - Re: Mode S & 430 - Was Blue Mountain EFIS (Peter Pengilly)
6. 03:31 PM - Re: LED Lighting (dj45)
7. 03:33 PM - TurboCAD software at a discount (jayb)
8. 04:10 PM - Re: Mode S & 430 - Was Blue Mountain EFIS (rampil)
9. 05:41 PM - Re: TurboCAD software at a discount (B Tomm)
10. 10:10 PM - Re: Re: Mode S & 430 - Was Blue Mountain EFIS (Werner Schneider)
Message 1
INDEX | Back to Main INDEX |
NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
Subject: | Re: Blue Mountain EFIS |
Ira,
Nice response. And, in my opinion, accurate.
Stan Sutterfield
Hi All,
This thread about BMA has made for interesting reading over the past few
days. I've enjoyed it and feel modestly motivated to weigh in.
I am a BMA customer, in fact, one of the first E/1 black plastic boxes came
to
me. Why did I choose it? Features for price, an analysis that, in my
eyes is as true today as it was 6 years ago. I upgraded to the gold box
when it was available, and just recently replaced it with a Gen4 E/2. Yes,
I paid the freight and kept going with BMA.
The original up to the Gen3 models got a bad rep for what I consider a
poor reason. The original schema was completely flexible in its input
configuration. That meant for people like me with a rotax, could use
the probes that came with the engine, any probes would work. They
just needed to be calibrated, a concept it turns out in practice was
foreign to many builders, "system integrators (I think panel builders
is a far more accurate description BTW)", and especially non-building
owners of experimental aircraft. It turns out, most of the general aviation
never calibrates anything except the mandated encoder. This is really
sloppy practice for non-mated sensor / indicators, especially when they
are non mil or medical grade. My little experience informs me that
you cant expect better than 10%, maybe 20% accuracy in an automotive
sensor unless you calibrate it to the indicator. How many people
calibrate their oil temp and pressure probes on their RV? Not many.
Does the 10% really matter, not really in most applications. But the
BMA required calibration. The BMA also had its ADCs outside the
engine compartment and the repeated warnings about low resistance
gounds to the battery and engine block were apparently inadequate
for many people. Digital avionics and low level voltage signals just require
more care in grounding and layout than older analog systems, especially
in composite airframes (like mine). I will certainly grant you that the
manuals are a bit sparse, but then I always found that the telephone worked
for
me.
For what Greg has told me, most problematic installations eventually work
once external wiring errors are caught and corrected. The BMA guys
sought to simplify installation wiring by mandating a fixed set of sensors,
none of which are unipolar and return back through the engine block.
Wiring is now much simpler as I can attest in my own install last month.
Calibration is no longer needed. I think that BMA will be out with a skin
for the Rotax engines soon so I can integrate the VDO sensors built in
to the engine.
The stuff works and I believe it provides the most advanced EFIS functions
for the price. It is also among the simplest to use in flight.
So there have been some problems with the company. I see these kinds
of issues in IT all the time. Greg chose the brand-new at the time SISC
CPU chip for Gen 1-2. Many thought SISC would win out the future of
computing over CISC chips like the Pentium. It was faster and cheaper
right up until SISC guys went out of business. No more parts. No
evolution of SISC. Technology moves fast, airplane building slow.
I bought early, so do most. Some get more burned than others. Anyone
want a Mode S transponder? ANyone want a 430, I heard the WAAS
upgrade will be simple and very cheap!
Most of Gen3 features worked out the door, but some did not. Some
worked for some owners and not for others. More strenuous beta testing
might help. Again not very different for many vendors from airframe kits
to headsets. Ever hear of ADs?
I don't work for Greg, et al, I'm just a customer who has appreciated life
on the bleeding edge with my experimental aircraft. You might even
find me at the BMA booth at SnF talking about my experience in using
the EFIS for nearly 4 years. I am always delighted to talk to fellow
listers ;-)
Cheers
--------
Ira N224XS
**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.
http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489
Message 2
INDEX | Back to Main INDEX |
PREVIOUS | Skip to PREVIOUS Message |
NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
Subject: | Re: LED Lighting |
Dan,
As Bevan mentioned, aeroleds.com is manufacturing two LED based
landing/taxi/recognition lights. I don't know if they perform well as I haven't
seen
them in person yet. I was on the verge of ordering a pair when I discovered
they have a 10% restocking fee. That, in my opinion, is too high, so I didn't
order them. I would like to try them out - and if suitable I would keep them.
I'm experimenting with 1W LEDs with optics and it appears you can produce
enough illumination with multiple LEDs to at least make an acceptable
taxi/recognition light. I'm not yet convinced they will suffice for a landing
light.
I'm also experimenting with MR-16 lights, but they get very hot and would
require cooling to be mounted in an enclosed wingtip.
I intend to use HIDs for the landing lights and perhaps the Aerosun Lite for
the taxi/recognition light.
Stan Sutterfield
_www.rv-8a.net_ (http://www.rv-8a.net)
Has anyone thought much of making LED landing/taxi lights?
Just something that might be fun to mess around with.
**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.
http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489
Message 3
INDEX | Back to Main INDEX |
PREVIOUS | Skip to PREVIOUS Message |
NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
Subject: | Re: Blue Mountain EFIS |
Sorry for the confusion,
After medical school, RISC became SISC for me ;-)
--------
Ira N224XS
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=159969#159969
Message 4
INDEX | Back to Main INDEX |
PREVIOUS | Skip to PREVIOUS Message |
NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
Subject: | Re: Blue Mountain EFIS |
i have 300 hours of flying with a BMA EFIS. first i flew with a gen 4 EFIS Lite
Plus, it was the largest unit offered that fit my panel.
i fly mostly in the high sierra nevada with terrain up to 14,000'+ all around while
limited to 10,000' ( sport pilot limitation ) the bma unit with the synthetic
vision was the best choice for me. the vertical and horizontal terrain
views are very useful when flying below the surronding terrain.
on a flight last year i went imc due to shifting smoke from southern california
fires, turning back didn't help. i was without visibility for 40 minutes and
was perfectly comfortable with the situational awareness provided by the bma.
since then i upgraded to a larger unit, the 9" EFIS / two. i can't imagine ever
flying without.
the company is matured and they have gone the extra mile in providing service.
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=159991#159991
Message 5
INDEX | Back to Main INDEX |
PREVIOUS | Skip to PREVIOUS Message |
NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
Subject: | Mode S & 430 - Was Blue Mountain EFIS |
Hey Ira,
Interesting thoughts. If you need to sell a Mode S txpdr or non WAAS 430
you could always send them to Europe. No WAAS and we will all have to
have Mode S very soon.
Pete
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of
rampil
Sent: 22 January 2008 17:27
Subject: AeroElectric-List: Re: Blue Mountain EFIS
Hi All,
This thread about BMA has made for interesting reading over the past few
days. I've enjoyed it and feel modestly motivated to weigh in.
I am a BMA customer, in fact, one of the first E/1 black plastic boxes
came to
me. Why did I choose it? Features for price, an analysis that, in my
eyes is as true today as it was 6 years ago. I upgraded to the gold box
when it was available, and just recently replaced it with a Gen4 E/2.
Yes,
I paid the freight and kept going with BMA.
The original up to the Gen3 models got a bad rep for what I consider a
poor reason. The original schema was completely flexible in its input
configuration. That meant for people like me with a rotax, could use
the probes that came with the engine, any probes would work. They
just needed to be calibrated, a concept it turns out in practice was
foreign to many builders, "system integrators (I think panel builders
is a far more accurate description BTW)", and especially non-building
owners of experimental aircraft. It turns out, most of the general
aviation
never calibrates anything except the mandated encoder. This is really
sloppy practice for non-mated sensor / indicators, especially when they
are non mil or medical grade. My little experience informs me that
you cant expect better than 10%, maybe 20% accuracy in an automotive
sensor unless you calibrate it to the indicator. How many people
calibrate their oil temp and pressure probes on their RV? Not many.
Does the 10% really matter, not really in most applications. But the
BMA required calibration. The BMA also had its ADCs outside the
engine compartment and the repeated warnings about low resistance
gounds to the battery and engine block were apparently inadequate
for many people. Digital avionics and low level voltage signals just
require
more care in grounding and layout than older analog systems, especially
in composite airframes (like mine). I will certainly grant you that the
manuals are a bit sparse, but then I always found that the telephone
worked for me.
For what Greg has told me, most problematic installations eventually
work
once external wiring errors are caught and corrected. The BMA guys
sought to simplify installation wiring by mandating a fixed set of
sensors,
none of which are unipolar and return back through the engine block.
Wiring is now much simpler as I can attest in my own install last month.
Calibration is no longer needed. I think that BMA will be out with a
skin
for the Rotax engines soon so I can integrate the VDO sensors built in
to the engine.
The stuff works and I believe it provides the most advanced EFIS
functions
for the price. It is also among the simplest to use in flight.
So there have been some problems with the company. I see these kinds
of issues in IT all the time. Greg chose the brand-new at the time SISC
CPU chip for Gen 1-2. Many thought SISC would win out the future of
computing over CISC chips like the Pentium. It was faster and cheaper
right up until SISC guys went out of business. No more parts. No
evolution of SISC. Technology moves fast, airplane building slow.
I bought early, so do most. Some get more burned than others. Anyone
want a Mode S transponder? ANyone want a 430, I heard the WAAS
upgrade will be simple and very cheap!
Most of Gen3 features worked out the door, but some did not. Some
worked for some owners and not for others. More strenuous beta testing
might help. Again not very different for many vendors from airframe kits
to headsets. Ever hear of ADs?
I don't work for Greg, et al, I'm just a customer who has appreciated
life
on the bleeding edge with my experimental aircraft. You might even
find me at the BMA booth at SnF talking about my experience in using
the EFIS for nearly 4 years. I am always delighted to talk to fellow
listers ;-)
Cheers
--------
Ira N224XS
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=159780#159780
Message 6
INDEX | Back to Main INDEX |
PREVIOUS | Skip to PREVIOUS Message |
NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
Subject: | Re: LED Lighting |
Stan, thanks for the reply. How are you coming on the lights?
I have just started messing around with them and was wondering if anyone else had
come up with anything.
I agree about the charge for restocking for something you don't know will be as
advertised.
--------
Do not archive
Dan Stanton
N9801S
99.9% Done & Flying
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=160076#160076
Message 7
INDEX | Back to Main INDEX |
PREVIOUS | Skip to PREVIOUS Message |
NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
Subject: | TurboCAD software at a discount |
I recently purchased a copy of TurboCAD Deluxe 14 from academicsuperstore.com for
$70 (including shipping). This price seemed like a really good deal as it retails
for $149.
Here's the catch... You have to have a student in your household to qualify.
Cheers,
Jay
do not archive
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=160077#160077
Message 8
INDEX | Back to Main INDEX |
PREVIOUS | Skip to PREVIOUS Message |
NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
Subject: | Re: Mode S & 430 - Was Blue Mountain EFIS |
Hi Pete,
Sadly, I project there will not be a market in Europe much longer for
general aviation products. The EU seems absolutely bound and determined
to terminate private flight. A buddy of mine just returned from London,
where he tells me a C172 rents for over 200 BPS per hour, thats over
$400/hr!
Who can afford a used Garmin after that?
--------
Ira N224XS
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=160085#160085
Message 9
INDEX | Back to Main INDEX |
PREVIOUS | Skip to PREVIOUS Message |
NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
Subject: | TurboCAD software at a discount |
You can get it on ebay for less than $20.00. I got mine for less than $20
including shipping. Brand new in a sealed box with the book. It didn't
come with very many useful symbols though. I had to purchase those
separately for an additional $30.00
Bevan
Officially not a student
Do not archive
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of jayb
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 3:29 PM
Subject: AeroElectric-List: TurboCAD software at a discount
--> <jaybrinkmeyer@yahoo.com>
I recently purchased a copy of TurboCAD Deluxe 14 from
academicsuperstore.com for $70 (including shipping). This price seemed like
a really good deal as it retails for $149.
Here's the catch... You have to have a student in your household to qualify.
Cheers,
Jay
do not archive
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=160077#160077
Message 10
INDEX | Back to Main INDEX |
PREVIOUS | Skip to PREVIOUS Message |
NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
Subject: | Re: Mode S & 430 - Was Blue Mountain EFIS |
That's why we build our own planes here as you do in the US!
Werner (from Switzerland)
rampil wrote:
>
> Hi Pete,
>
> Sadly, I project there will not be a market in Europe much longer for
> general aviation products. The EU seems absolutely bound and determined
> to terminate private flight. A buddy of mine just returned from London,
> where he tells me a C172 rents for over 200 BPS per hour, thats over
> $400/hr!
>
> Who can afford a used Garmin after that?
>
> --------
> Ira N224XS
>
>
> Read this topic online here:
>
> http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=160085#160085
>
>
>
Other Matronics Email List Services
These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.
-- Please support this service by making your Contribution today! --
|