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1. 03:16 PM - avionics upgrade ()
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| Subject: | avionics upgrade |
--> RV6-List message posted by: <kmartin@cablerocket.com>
Hi Folks:
Hopefully I'm not breaking protocol by posting here.. I have a 5
year old
RV-6 which I bought from him a year ago and which I really love to
fly.
My question to the group is this: The airplane has a kx-125 nav/com
(with integral indicator), a RST audio panel, and a hand-held GPS
coupled to a Navaid autopilot.
For VFR flying the airplane is just about perfect the way it is.
Never content to leave things as they are, I'd like to start working
on an instrument rating, and would like to do it in my airplane.
I've read all of the threads regarding IFR training in RV's, and have
convinced myself that I can do it in mine.
My problem is in putting a 'sensible' amount of avionics in the
airplane to fulfill my mission. Beyond training for my IFR rating,
I expect the most IFR flying I will do is punching up through the
fog on the way out of the bay area, and occasionally following an
ILS down when I misread the weather at my destination.
I have been deliberating between 3 scenarios and would appreciate
some feedback on which makes the most sense to those of you who are
flying with different flavors of these...
Scenario 1:
~~~~~~~~~~
The minimal configuration I can think of is to buy a KN-73/75
glideslope receiver and an indicator to enable my kx-125 to provide
glideslope. I don't know if this is a very wise investment, since
the kx-125 is only a 5W transmitter. In general I've never had a
problem being heard and contacting towers I want to talk to, but the
NAV receiver sometimes struggles to tune in VOR's more than 50-75
miles away.
I think I also need a second radio, and since I don't want to spend
money on DME or ADF, I was thinking of putting in a 'second
generation' GPS/COM. The Garmin GNC-300XL seems to be available for
reasonable amounts. What types of experiences have people had with
these? I think it may also only be a 5W radio, which might not be
wise to match up with my kx-125.
Scenario 2:
~~~~~~~~~~~
Similar to scenario 1, but pull out the Kx-125, put in a UPSAT SL-30
which will give me a high quality nav/com, with glideslope, and the
extra benefit of the ability to monitor the standby NAV frequency.
In addtion, put in the GNC-300XL, now with less concern about week
com performance from the garmin since the sl-30 should be excellent.
Hopefully I could get ~$1000 for my kx-125 on trade-in or ebay????
Scenario 3:
~~~~~~~~~~
Leave the kx-125 in place as the backup radio.
Put in a Garmin 430 as primary NAV/COM/GPS/Glideslope and, and
and... ;-)
This in some respects is the 'easist' of the scenarios, except that
its a lot of money, and I'm not quite sure where I put that big a
box.. I think this might mean the biggest mods to my panel. I
_think_ I can buy a 430 for around $6300??? (sound right). I have a
vague concern that this is way more radio/avionics than I truly
_need_ for my modest needs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have also vaguely considered buying one of the KNS-80's that are
getting ripped out to make room for Garmins.... it makes sense on
one hand as a lot of functionality in one box, but its a LARGE box
and seems like a step backwards.
The primary mission will be IFR training. As such, I feel like it
would make sense to be able to learn how to to GPS approaches.
I haven't been able to sort out just how relevent WAAS will be for
pilots like me. Again, I don't plan to fly into nasty weather.. my
IFR investment will be for safety and proficiency.
Would greatly appreciate any feedback / wisdom this list could offer.
Ken Martin
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