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Ok, when would you upgrade to KX-200?

Did UND share any public data on their story? I recall GAMI repeoduced detonation with UL94 (likely true in extreme scenario), Lycoming blamed aromatics in 100R (likely wrong), Swift blamed "operator technique" (likely true as they were very aggressive) http://avweb.com/aviation-news/swift-recommends-limiting-peak-or-lean-of-peak-operations-with-94ul-for-now/ I went with the latter as clearly UND students don't know how to manage engines (I recall reading their SOP where they fly red-box with 20ROP peakEGT at 70%-80% power with CHT north of 450F). With all these initial "roll-outs" one has to be careful with selection bias, like all sort of feedbacks sometimes the issue is NOT the product but "A SPECIFIC" user, we will see more and more of operators getting into engine management education as more alternative fuels gets introduced...

Yuup! When ATC has trouble hearing me on the COM in my GNS430W, I just switch to the KX-155 and, problem solved

Agreed. Not to mention Garmin doesn't exactly have the best track record with reliability and stability these days. Meanwhile I don't think I've ever seen a Bendix radio fail in my 25 years of flying.

I stopped by the hangar and took some pictures of the one I have. I saw that two holes appear to have a crack. I could not see any part number.

I just sent you a PM

Trying to sell “solutions” to non existent problems Only way any of this snake oil will sell is if government screws with the market and forces us to use this junk. Id rather AOPA / EAA etc start spinning up the lawsuit machine to stop it from getting that far, much rather AOPA spend the money on lawyers and lobbies than sending me a dumb hat or mass mailing paper. But maybe that’s just me reminds me of the corn gas scam

That is true - they have an ASTM production/manufacturing standard for what so far appears to be (by Swift's own admission/cautions) an inferior knock/detonation preventing fuel. How many remember when ethanol was first blended into unleaded gasoline? It had "ASTM" certification. It also damaged some hoses, elastomers, plastics and caused corrosion in older vehicles. Older lawnmowers and motorcycles suffered. Owners just had to take it on the chin. Swift's press release last week claims that ASTM cert was achieved " by the team from Swift Fuels working in collaboration with FAA and numerous OEMs from Lycoming, Continental Aerospace, Rotax, Textron Aviation, Piper, and others, plus testing laboratories and various aviation part suppliers." Well if they are working with Continental and Lycoming on the high-performance/ big-6's engines, then why aren't we hearing from them? In all this time, why don't they have test results on this "remaining 25% are more complicated" portion of the fleet? Either they have and the test results are dismal or they have rushed the certification out prior to testing. BTW - this "remaining 25% are more complicated" portion of the fleet probably consumes 45% of the Avgas.

Sounds like theft to me, and conspiracy to commit theft

I have 2 Bose A-20 headsets for sale. Both have bluetooth as well as the 5mm stereo cable for connecting non-BT items. Both come with carrying case and documentation. First one has new ear muffs as well as mike muff. Second has new mike muff. Ear muffs were replaced a while back but show some wear. $550 for the first one and $500 for second. Both plus shipping or will deliver to 2025 Mooney Summit in Tampa this weekend. Thanks for looking.

Well, there is a $2.5K difference in price points between the three options. The KX-200 is a slide-in replacement for the KX-155/165. For those of us without a Garmin panel why would we spend an additional $2.5K to tear up our panel and install the Garmin with features we cannot even use?

The Accutrak will only follow an old style nav deviation with millivolts out ( I think 5 millivolts =full scale) If the GPS output is a digital signal it won't work. We're talking crystal radio to a main frame here. There are ways to get a Brittian A/P working but almost all radio shops have no idea or interest in doing so.- let alone most of us who just fly the thing. As touchy as the FAA is on the autopilot issue right now (think Boeing) we are now into an area that at the least requires the proper manual to refer to and an A&P to sign off what is done. I strongly suggest you work along those lines. Leveling the airplane and the T/C are basic tasks for an A&P with the proper manuals. Your local A&P would be the one to talk to about doing this kind of work. After flying my Accutrak for years and pulling it out for an Aerocruze 100 I'd never go back. BTW I have almost 2 complete Accutraks on the shelf that will go up for sale shortly.

Thanks for the info. While this is one of the best prices I have seen for a 900, sending it to JPI for reprogramming brings the cost up too close to a new purchase.

Absolutely. My point was... I don't see very much economical sense for the KX-200 upgrade: either fix the old radio (including the display) or go for a Garmin radio with installation cost.

I read that damage resulted in about 128 top overhauls of one form or another. That sounds pretty "bricked". And this was only because of the meticulous maintenance and recordkeeping of UND. Who knows how many other engines elsewhere were damaged that went unreported. The point is that there were unanticipated consequences regardless of ASTM D7547 certification. And Swift is already hedging whether 100R will work in the high performance portion of the fleet. They say that they will do about another 2 years of lab/test cell testing. And even then it may still have unintended consequences in the real world use. The first users will be guinea pigs regardless of ASTM approval. Maybe it will work and maybe it won't.

I'm based at KPHF, but do not know anyone mobile. I use an on-field mechanic for some stuff or travel to MSC's, if needed.

The -900 and -930 (Primary replacements) are serialized to an individual airplane, so you'll need to have it reprogrammed for yours. That would include all of the POH limits for redlines, tach arcs, etc. from your POH and any STC updates (such as a different prop). I still love my 900 after 10 years of use and would choose it again today. It is a great instrument.

Short story- I once knew a guy, when I was a teenager and pumping gas at the airport, who bought a Stinson Reliant and went to fly tropical fish out of the jungle in Columbia (60 years ago). I ran into him about 7-8 years later at the FSS station in Tucson AZ (when we had one there) and asked how things were going. He said he just did 5 years in a Columbian prison because he flew fish out of the jungle but guns into the jungle. I asked what he was doing in TUS and he said he was buying a DC-6 out of Davis-Monthan. What are you using it for I asked and he replied? To fly tropical fish out of South America! Some crooks can't change their ways. Never saw him again. An "unrelated" matter might just be a separate occurrence of booze running. My bet? 90% probability.

@redbaron1982 FWIW, I found this on Garmin's website (you'd think they'd make it more obvious): According to AI, you no longer need a separate GS antenna (no extra connector on the back):

"install cost on Garmin"...that's likely $2K to $3K, so, $7.5K installed for the Garmin option. KX-200 is $5K KX-155 repair is $2.5K For COM2, I just don't need the fancy features, or memory storage, of the first two (in fact, since I don't have fancy Garmin panel I wouldn't be able to even use those features). For me, it comes down to do I want a shiny new radio with warranty, or go with repair of the best radio ever designed and built And, I save $2.5K. YMMV

Am I wrong or Garmin's GNC 215 does not have glideslope? Shouldn't be a BNC GS connector on the back?

@Scott Ashton Looking forward to your PIREP! I, too, have a KX-155 and it's starting to show signs...thing is, Ed recently (last couple of years?) raised his price to $2500 plus return shipping vs, I believe, his old price of $1500 plus shipping. The buying new option is still more, $4500 for the KX-200, but starts to weigh in as a viable choice. However, I think his new price includes replacing the display (which is one of the issues mine is starting to have). If so, then his price starts to make sense.

Thanks for the advice, I'll check those out. Where do I put a bubble level when leveling the plane laterally? Seat rails? I assume playing with the tire pressure will do the trick. Does the TC twist or adjust in some way if it's out of wack and the plane is level? The PC system is really nice, and I have a GPS + Garmin 106 going in soon so it'd be nice if the AP could follow the magenta line well.

True, I should have said just below stall.

Spend $5K on a KX-200 or spend $5K + install cost on Garmin.