Replacing steam on a certified aircraft

[mi'cmaq]

Enquiring for a friend whose vacuum pump has packed up on his certified two place aircraft

He would like to chuck out the old steam gauges along with the vacuum pump, regulator and hoses and replace them with a modern EFIS from MGL or Dynon ; also his JPI engine monitor has started dropping some digits and a modern EFIS would sort out that problem as well

Is there any way to do this if the aircraft is only for private VFR use

[Whirly]

MGL not, not sure about Dynon. He could look at the certified Garmin G5 or uAvionix AV30C, I like both, and they are not too expensive. However, it will take lots of paperwork and plenty moola to do, CAA, is involved.

Non certified, NTCA, is much easier. I flew with two Garmin G5s in my previous helicopter and now have 2 AV30Es installed in my current one. The G5s have a built-in GPS, the AV30s not (my Garmin 760 is connected to them though) , but I see the numbers better on the AV30s, they work great for me. I also added the temp probes, so now I see very accurate OAT as well as instant DA figures.

Whirly.

[StressMerchant]

It's worth looking to see if the aircraft type is covered uner the STC-AML (Approved Master List) of the equipment manufacturer. If the kit is already covered under the AML, you may be able to get free use of the STC when buying the equipment. Not all National Airworthiness Authorities recognise STC-AMLs, but it's worth a read. If nothing else it may save some time with the installation instructions.

[Whirly]

Seem like Dynon certified can do all he needs, they have a list of aircraft on their STC, so does Garmin, and uAvionix. Available panel space will also dictate.

Depends on how much he can or wants to spend.

Whirly

[Rotor kop]

Probably going to cost more than the aircraft value unless he is very lucky and a STC and panel change will be free...

[Vogoff]

Dynon do a very nice panel for the Seneca with auto pilot, ADSB, engine monitor and radios. But no GPS.

"Only" $41k excluding installation. Or around R800,000 at todays prices.

That's for a twin with all the bells and whistles. A basic system starts around $13k (R250k).

So they can probably do it. But I doubt "affordable" would be a word used in the conversation. Dual G5 or AV30s would probably be more cost effective.

[Lood]

Dynon do a very nice panel for the Seneca with auto pilot, ADSB, engine monitor and radios. But no GPS.

"Only" $41k excluding installation. Or around R800,000 at todays prices.

That's for a twin with all the bells and whistles. A basic system starts around $13k (R250k).

So they can probably do it. But I doubt "affordable" would be a word used in the conversation. Dual G5 or AV30s would probably be more cost effective.

Absolutely.
Nothing in the South African TCA world has any sort of connection to affordable, unfortunately. I hear some numbers from time to time and it is simply unthinkable. Even a very minor upgrade can easily set you back, north of a hundred thousand.

[Vogoff]

Nothing in the South African TCA world has any sort of connection to affordable, unfortunately. I hear some numbers from time to time and it is simply unthinkable. Even a very minor upgrade can easily set you back, north of a hundred thousand.

My rough estimates for type certified avionics:

• EFIS: R100k (2xG5) up to "how much you got"?
• ADSB: R100k (if an internal GPS is used)
• Backup (non primary) engine monitor: R150k
• Panel mount IF GPS: R200k

By comparison I'm busy updating the panel in my Cubby. New EFIS, new radio, new engine monitor. No GPS maps because I have a phone. No ADSB yet. All less than R50k, thanks to MGL.

[heisan]

Just remember - if the goal is to get rid of the vacuum pump, then you will require 2 power sources. So either a dedicated battery backup solution (which most EFIS manufacturer's can supply), or one with built-in battery backup (IIRC AV30 has one?).

[Whirly]

Just remember - if the goal is to get rid of the vacuum pump, then you will require 2 power sources. So either a dedicated battery backup solution (which most EFIS manufacturer's can supply), or one with built-in battery backup (IIRC AV30 has one?).

Yes it does, and you have to pay extra for the one in the G5.

Whirly.

[Whirly]

My 2 x AV30Es (Experimental), when they just installed them. I will take a new pic, showing the Garmin GPS 760 too.

Whirly.

[Whirly]

The 2 x G5s (Experimental) in my previous Alo. I personally prefer the AV30s.

Whirly.

[Rotor kop]

My 2 x AV30Es (Experimental), when they just installed them. I will take a new pic, showing the Garmin GPS 760 too.

Whirly.

What the AV30 cost?

[Whirly]

RK,

Go to : www.uavionix.com

It will depend if you need the "E" or "C" one. Once you have ADS-B, it is able to display other traffic, and you can control your remote transponder from it too.

I have an AV-link on each installed too, allows upgrades to be downloaded wireless.

Whirly.

[mi'cmaq]

Great information ; thanks to everyone who posted

Unfortunately my friends aircraft does not appear on the STC - AML (approved master list) of either Dynon, Garmin or uAvionix