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!"

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.