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1. 04:53 PM - Re: Avionics-List Digest: 5 Msgs - 03/07/04 (Scott and Valeree Stout)
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| Subject: | Re: Avionics-List Digest: 5 Msgs - 03/07/04 |
--> Avionics-List message posted by: Scott and Valeree Stout <the_stouts@worldnet.att.net>
Good Evening Doug...
I too am building an 801...Not too much else to add to what has already
been said, you can pickup an older ifr gps for $400-$900 and fly
non-precision approaches, add a kr85 or 86 adf as well for $300-$600.
Perhaps the larger question for you is the vor...You might be able to
use just a handheld nav/comm $300 with an external antenna to meet the
vor needs as you would primarily be using the gps and adf for your ifr
nav. Now what you can and what is prudent are two entirely differing
things. As the gps and adf can be had for $1000, spend $3000 for a new
narco 122 or maybe the val avionics ins 422 w/marker beacon.
Most definitely, make sure you put defroster holes in the top instrument
panel sheet as well...
As for the instruments, go with the dynon for $2k and back it up with
airspeed, vertical speed, altimeter, and turn coordinator gauges. Thus,
if the dyon should crap out, you would be flying as if you had just lost
your vacuum pump, not too big of a deal...This way you are out just the
$2k as the other items would be installed anyways as part of the
partnership...
Also, if possible find an instructor or someone who has a Cessna 150/152
IFR rated and take a ride with them in IMC conditions on an approach.
This will give you a good idea as to how the 801 will be on an approach,
bumpy and sloppy but it will get you there...
As you are in snow and ice country and the implied desire to always get
there, you may wish to consider an airplane with de-ice on the wings and
prop and sell your share in the 801. Not a palatable option, but again
it may be the more prudent option...
All-in-All...bare bones with risk taking to a large degree you could
have an adequate non-precision ifr panel for $3,000 when all of the
pieces parts are figured in...For a precision approach suite more likely
$7,000-$10,000...Again it is up to what you are comfortable with...
Define your comfort level, then figure out a way to pay for it, if your
comfort level means dual garmin 530's then take a loan out for $30,000
or don't fly...IMC is not the place to be testing your limits...
Just my way of thinking, your mileage may differ...
Regards.
-Scott Stout
http://home.att.net/~the_stouts_zenith_801/
>________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________
>
>
>Time: 12:57:07 PM PST US
>Subject: Avionics-List: Not the perfect bird for the job, but...
>From: "Garrou, Douglas" <dgarrou@hunton.com>
>
>--> Avionics-List message posted by: "Garrou, Douglas" <dgarrou@hunton.com>
>
>Hi out there. Two partners and I are building a Zenith 801 and it's coming along great. If you're not familiar with this airplane, it's a four-seat, high payload, low speed, all metal boxy-looking bush plane (details at www.zenithair.com). We decided to build the 801 because it's easy to build, and because we wanted what amounted to a cooler, 4-person version of a 152 or 172 for fun flying, mostly low and slow, in Central Virginia -- with the occasional hop to the Outer Banks of NC. We figured basic VFR instrumentation would be suitable, would keep things cheap, and would be faster to install.
>
>All well and good. However, a few years into the project, I have developed a
new
>aviation need. Family obligations require me to travel between Richmond, VA
>and Allentown, PA, on a fairly regular basis (once every three weeks, usually),
>for the foreseeable future. This is a relatively hellish 600-mile round-trip
>drive on I-95 -- and the drive can't be attempted at all during long stretches
>of most weekdays, when rush-hour traffic gridlocks much of the route. The
>occasional accident also adds several hours to the trip, on both weekends and
>weekdays.
>
>On the other hand, with flight following and my plucky willingness to mess with
>the airspace, it's a leisurely 218-mile trip by air, even if you go around the
>DC ADIZ (I'm not shy of the ADIZ, but as it turns out, bypassing the ADIZ doesn't
>add much to the trip).
>
>I see this trip as a compelling case for general aviation. Now, to be able to
>do this trip on anything approaching a real schedule, I obviously need an instrument
>rating, which I am in the process of getting. However, I also need an
>appropriate airplane.
>
>So you see where I'm going with this. Obviously the 801 is slow - but it sure
>beats driving. For a variety of reasons, the 801 may not an ideal instrument
>platform. On the other hand, it is *possible* to outfit it for legal instrument
>flight.
>
>My question is, do you think this aircraft be turned into a safe Richmond-Allentown
>instrument hauler as a *practical* matter, and on a budget? (Note that I
>would expect to be footing the bill alone for any IFR avionics, since the other
>builders didn't sign on for that ride!) Is there a "high bang for the buck"
>combination of new or used avionics that would do the job here?
>
>Or should I give up this idea and try to get a share of a certified airplane that
>is already set up for instrument flight?
>
>Thanks
>Doug
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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