A New Lease On Flying

Retrofit avionics can add a lot of capability for not a lot of money


An Aspen Avionics installation on Bill Fanning's 1980 BE-36 Bonanza

I was talking to my airline-pilot friend the other day. Though he came through the ranks of general aviation via an accelerated training program, he no longer stays close to GA in terms of the latest developments. He hasn't been out of GA for very long, but as far as the developments he's missed, nothing comes close to the strides made in avionics over the last few years.

It was fun watching my friend's eyes widen as I told him about innovations like enhanced vision systems (EVS) that use thermal-imaging cameras to capture an infrared view of a pilot's surroundings and display them on a screen. I told him about the latest touch-screen GPS units and the unmatched efficiency of using digital charts in the cockpit instead of the paper ones he's used to. We talked about electronic circuit- breaker systems, the latest graphical engine- management displays and the incredible "slide-in" modular flight displays and integrated flight decks that are available.
But the best part was telling him that all these things are available as relatively inexpensive (ok, not all of them) after-market products. I relayed the story of a pilot I know with a biplane that has multiple GPS units, real-time weather, a Garmin G600 glass cockpit and an all-digital instrument and audio panel. He just shook his head in amazement. All he could muster was, "I can't believe it because we don't have half of that stuff in our jet cockpits!"

All he could muster was, I can't believe it because we don't have half of that stuff in our jet cockpits!"

The fact is that retrofitting airplanes with advanced capabilities isn't only possible but is becoming the norm rather than the exception. By adding new components, owners of older airplanes can keep up with technology, add to safety and situational awareness and even increase performance. It doesn't have to be expensive. Even in my own little Great Lakes biplane, we've added multiple GPS systems, a digital engine analyzer and a new digital audio panel so we can listen to our MP3 player while cruising along above the countryside.

But with so many options and so many retrofit devices and avionics facilities out there, how do you know what you need? The answer is really based on the pilot, the mission (the real one, not the "hoped-for" one) and the budget. A retrofit can be something as simple as adding an engine-management instrument or traffic-advisory system, or can stretch into adding a three-panel glass-integrated flight deck with more capability than the Airbus flying far above you.



Garmin G600 in a Cirrus SR22

Information Is Power
Knowing what your engine is doing is probably one of the most important considerations in retrofit avionics. While a fancy navigator can get you through any weather imaginable, it won't do you much good if your engine quits in the soup. A good place to start is with some type of engine analyzer or engine-management system. The great thing is that the price can go from quite reasonable for a basic EGT/CHT instrument, to a few thousand dollars for the whiz-bang, color-filled, bar-graph engine display. But what counts is knowing the health of your engine at all times. That knowledge establishes a great foundation for upgrading the rest of your airplane. Starting with that aspect is a relatively inexpensive upgrade with minimal hassles.


Sagem and Garmin avionics on a Cessna 182

To Glass Or Not To Glass
Glass cockpits have certainly become the darling of the aviation world. There are lots of excellent choices for retrofit here, including the beautifully modular approach that allows you to slide the new glass unit into existing panel space. But you don't have to go crazy to realize the benefits of the glass-cockpit world. Many of the manufacturers listed here offer mix-and-match components so you can go from a basic glass-panel display to clean up your panel, all the way to a fully instrument-certified integrated flight deck. There's nothing wrong with flying on steam gauges and enhancing your panel a little at a time.


Avidyne EX600

The Sound Of Music
One area in avionics retrofit that has really come a long way is the audio panel and intercom. For not too much money, pilots can retrofit their older airplane with a newer audio panel. One huge benefit of even the most basic new audio panels is that they can accommodate MP3 players (like iPods) so you and your passengers can enjoy music as you fly. If you've never experienced flying while listening to your favorite music from a good audio panel, you're really missing one of the great sensory pleasures of aviating. A new audio panel could include a new com radio with modern efficiency, power, frequency response and reliability. The improved sound and greater clarity is a safety boon for any pilot.


Bendix/King KFD 840

Mother Nature And Crowded Skies
Next up on the retrofit-avionics list is to add one of several panel-mount weather-information systems. Nothing adds to safety like knowing what to expect, and with today's near-instantaneous weather information availability, having the latest weather in your cockpit could save your life. A portable receiver and a subscription to one of the satellite weather reporting systems like XM is a reasonably priced way to add to your knowledge of flight conditions before the flight. Along the same lines, traffic information becomes dispensable in certain areas of the country. Like real-time weather, knowing what traffic around you is doing is one of the greatest developments in the avionics field. Again, portable receivers and basic panel-mount displays add a lot of safety and confidence each time you fly.



Forward Vision, based in Russell, Pa., makes the thermal-imaging cameras and systems used in enhanced vision systems. The company is the exclusive distributor of the EVS-100 and EVS-600 product line. EVS integrates in several glass-cockpit systems, both fixed and portable.

The Fun Stuff
If your budget is flexible and you want to go for the big-ticket items, 3D synthetic vision and EVS systems are some of the coolest things to come along in GA in a long time. It's comforting to watch the display on a pitch-black night and be totally confident in knowing what's in front, over and under you. Retrofitting your aircraft with one of these advanced, vision-enhancing systems is an investment in your safety. Prices have come down as the technology has matured, so it will soon be within reach of more pilots.

Retrofit 101
By looking at avionics retrofits in small pieces, it makes the whole a bit easier to swallow. Sure, adding new components will cost money, but you would be surprised how valuable that added situational awareness is. The list in this article includes some of the best-known and popular avionics-retrofit manufacturers and service facilities. If you're considering getting an upgrade, before your make your purchase, take a look at all of the options available for aftermarket products. I especially love my engine analyzer when I'm out over the Pacific Ocean, not within gliding distance of anything, and I can see my healthy engine purring away.

Company

Description

Products

ACR Electronics
www.acrelectronics.com

In business since 1959, ACR is one of the largest makers and suppliers of emergency equipment to the military, outdoor and aviation industries. • SARLink PLB • RapidDitch Bag
• Firefly lights • RapidFire strobe
• Vecta 3 direction finder
Aspen Avionics
www.aspenavionics.com

Aspen specializes in full-featured avionics that can be fitted into existing aircraft . Aspen focuses on modular, affordable systems that slide into existing instrument panel holes. • EFD1000 PFD
• EFD 500 MFD
• Evolution 2500
• EWR50 weather receiver
Avidyne
www.avidyne.com

Avidyne develops integrated flight-deck systems for light general aviation. Avidyne has a number of "firsts" to their credit, including the first TAS system for under $10,000 and the first datalink-capable MFD. • Entegra MFD and PFD • Entegra FMS9000W • EX5000 and EX600 MFD
• TAS 600 MLB 700 datalink receiver
• TWX670 Tactical Weather Detection
Cobham Avionics
www.cobham.com

Cobham specializes in the development of systems for aerospace and the defense industry. One of Cobham's products is the Synthetic Vision EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrument System), as well as a multitude of GPS sensors, navigation, surveillance and terrain-awareness and warning systems. • Flexcomm radio systems
• FliteLine com and nav systems
• S-TEC autopilots
• GPS-WAAS receivers
• 3D Synthetic Vision EFIS systems, PFDs and MFDs
Electronics International
www.buy-ei.com

Electronics International has carved a niche in the engine analyzer and display market with a vast product line that includes everything from sensors and probes to complete glass-engine displays. • MVP-50 engine
• UBG-16 engine analyzers
• FL- and FP-series fuel monitor
Emerging Lifesaving
Technologies (ELT)

www.elt406.com

ELT produces the new 406 MhZ emergency locator transmitters. Their latest product is a 406 ELT with a built-in GPS for aviation use. The company also produces a complete line of antennas, mounting plates and more. • ELT406GPS locator
• ELT antennas
Forward Vision
www.forward-vision.net

Forward Vision makes the thermal-imaging cameras and systems used in EVS systems (enhanced vision). • EVS-100 camera
• EVS-600 camera
• EVS-1500 camera
Garmin
www.garmin.com

What can you say about Garmin that hasn't already been said? Major hits in the aviation industry include the G600 and G1000 glass cockpits, their line of portable GPS units starting with the Garmin GPS 196, the GFC700 autopilot and Garmin's premiere, touch-screen G3000 integrated flight deck. • G3X PFD and MFD • G300 for the Cessna 162 • G900 • GTS traffic advisory
• GMX MFD • GMA audio panels
• GTX transponders • GNS navigators
• GFC 700 • G500-G600 PFD & MFD
• G1000 & G3000 glass cockpits


Company

Description

Products

Honeywell
www.honeywell.com

Honeywell makes Bendix/King products, as well as the AV8OR line of portable navigators. The Bendix/King line covers nearly all aspects of the aviation market including audio equipment, autopilots, navigation and flight instruments. • AV8OR navigators
• Apex Edge PFD & MFD • KMD MFDs
• IHAS (Integrated Hazard Avoidance System) • Terrain avoidance systems
• ART digital weather radar
Insight Avionics
www.insightavionics.com

Insight Avionics Corporation manufactures retrofit graphical engine analyzers for aftermarket use. • G3 engine monitor • Gem engine
monitors • Gyro 4000 gyro system
• TAS 1000 Multi-Function Data Source
• True Flow 500 fuel flow computers
• Strike Finder lightning detection
JP Instruments
www.jpinstruments.com

JP Instruments makes aircraft engine data management systems. The company manufactures a full line of aircraft instrumentation with emphasis on engine and performance management. • EDM-700 and EDM-800 engine data systems • EDM-930 and EDM-960 engine management displays • FS-450 Fuel Flow analyzer • Slimline engine gauges • Classic Scanner
L-3 Avionics
www.as.l-3com.com

L-3 makes a variety of retrofit avionics displays. The innovative IRIS infrared-camera system, Skywatch collision avoidance system and well-known StormScope lightning-detection system are just a few of the company's wide range of high-tech aftermarket products. • IRIS infrared camera
• SkyWatch collision avoidance system • StormScope lightningdetection system • SmartDeck MFD and PFD • Trilogy Electronic Standby Instrument • EHSI-400 Electronic HSI
• AIM and J.E.T standby gyros
Mid-Continent Instruments
www.mcico.com

For more than 45 years, Mid-Continent Instruments has offered overhaul/exchange, repair, design and manufacturing of aircraft instruments and avionics. Mid-Continent also manufactures aircraft instruments of all kinds and key components for major aircraft companies. • Primary flight instruments
• Annunciators
• Autopilot components
• Com radios
• Antennas
• Transponders
Narco Avionics
www.narco-avionics.com

Narco is known mainly for their com and nav radios, transponders and encoders. Narco has been original equipment in countless manufacturers' airplanes. • XCOM VHF760 • MK-12D nav/com systems • NAV-122 with GPS
• AT-165 replacement digital transponders • AR-850 encoder
• Replacement radios
PS Engineering
www.ps-engineering.com

PS Engineering is proud to state that their only mission is "audio control." Their core products include audio selector panels, intercoms and entertainment systems. • PMA 4000-PMA 8000 audio panels
• PM-501
• PM-1000-PM-3000 intercoms
Sandia Aerospace
www.sandia.aero

Sandia Aerospace features a line of altitude encoders, air data computers, and avionics cooling fans. Their newest product is the STX-165 transponder. • SAC 7-35 air data computer
• SAE 5-35 altitude encoder
• MARC 70 switching module
• STX 165 transponder • ADS-B
Ultra Electronics
www.ultra-electronics.com

Ultra Electronics has a large line of products that encompasses electronic and mechanical solutions for the aviation industry. Ultra manufactures everything from airframe ice protection systems to UAVs. Product list is too vast to detail, but includes aircraft test equipment and various electronics.
WXWORX
www.wxworx.com

WxWorx is an innovator in the field of mobile weather analysis. WxWorx was chosen by XM Satellite Weather as their data provider. • WxWorx on Wings software
• XM WX receiver
NavWorx
www.navworx.com

NavWorx specializes in advanced-technology avionics products. Their flagship product is the PADS600 portable ADS-B receiver that displays TIS-B traffic and FIS-B weather. • ADS600-B information system
• PADS600 portable ADS-B receiver

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