jamesyql

We can do better than that!

Excellent re: engine monitor. Audio panel can typically be replaced pretty easily so maybe separate the issues and do the audio panel to start if it is really limiting you. I think starting with AP for your avionics is the right move. If it is out of the budget right now, I would defer the upgrade and enjoy the plane as is. No sense of having an IFR capable plane and no autopilot to make it safe to fly IFR. Curious, is there anyone on here flying IFR regularly without an autopilot? Also- for US pilots. Don't you need WAAS with ADSB to fly in a majority of busier airspace? I have it, so haven't considered this question when I fly to the states.

I just did a "budget friendly" panel upgrade so I think I can speak to this topic: 1. Autopilot: Focus on the autopilot as the backbone of your upgrade and strongly consider the GFC500. This will decrease your workload significantly and decrease fatigue. In my opinion, mandatory for single pilot IFR and extremely helpful for VFR. 2. GPS: If you are only flying VFR, do not worry about additional GPS capability, but if you are planning on flying LPV approaches then you need WAAS. ADSB is another consideration for US airspace and you would need WAAS with a paired transponder to satisfy this. Do not shy away from an affordable GNS430W, it will get the job done can be replaced later if needed, the new navigators are costly and would put you over budget to be able to afford an autopilot. I kept my 530W and its totally adequate. 3. EFIS: I believe if you are interfacing with older navcomms / etc you are best with the 275, but if you have a 430w it should work with dual G5s. This will also allow vac pump delete. I chose to upgrade my #2 navcomm to the GNC215 to allow it to talk to the dual G5s, allowing me to remove all other CDI / glideslope instrumentation. 4. Flight director: This is a function of the autopilot (GFC500) and not the EFIS. The flight director presents hollow magenta bars for which you to follow (as if you were the autopilot) to facilitate more precise hand flying. When the autopilot is active, the magenta bars become solid and the AP servos engage to follow the flight director cues. To my knowledge, a 275 on its own will not give you a flight director. My G5s present flight director bars only when the FD is engaged on the GFC500. 5. Timing/finances: do not let an avionics upgrade compromise your ability to take of other incidental mechanical maintenance issues that may pop up. 6. Depending on your location, consider a Canadian avionics shop, take advantage of competitive exchange and labo(u)r rates eh! 7. Don't forget good engine instrumentation, much more important than an avionics upgrade in my opinion. A JPI730 will do the trick. FYI my panel now consists of Dual G5s, JPI EDM 730 (existing), GMA340 (existing) GNS530W (existing), GTX335 (existing), GNC215, GFC500 (3 servos). This came to ~35k USD installed which I think was reasonable value. For a 20k budget perhaps you could get a new audio panel (sounds like you need it, maybe find a used one) + GFC500 with a single G5, and keep everything else for now. If money to spare do the 430W upgrade and transponder. Best of luck!

Best of luck with getting this sorted out and back in the air.

I’m sorry to hear this. I don’t know your reasons for needing an overhaul, so don’t take this to second guess your situation, but zooming out to a high level- this is a general good reminder to us all that if it ain’t broke, it often doesn’t need to be fixed.

Yep

I signed up for a month of “bronze” out of sheer curiosity. Received zero communication from Lasar, never received my “portal” access, and cancelled before my second month’s renewal.

Agree it’s a long distance, totally why I’m interested to hear everyone’s thoughts and make sure my wife is on board with the plan with the benefit of everyone’s perspectives. So far- she is. We have been discussing leg length together and she thinks 2.5h is doable, making our trip 2 legs per day over 2 days. Extra leg on the way home for wind. Our son has flown with us on shorter XC flights and does very well, especially with the snacks and free rein of the iPad which is not usually the case at home. Again, thanks for all the replies. It is appreciated!

Just ordered one as a secondary monitor in addition to the built in CO alarm on the delta Zulu headset

Nick- I have wondered about this. I also fly quite cold down in Lethbridge. What do you use to block it off?

Thank you for the response and I am sharing all of these with my wife so she is looped in on everyone’s perspectives. I am glad I asked the group because your opinions and very valuable. She and I have done several longer 3.5-4 hour legs together so she is comfortable with longer XC, but this will definitely be stretching our Mooney’s legs longer than before. We have been stuck for multiple days, booked commercial last minute, etc, so we are comfortable with the idiosyncrasies of GA flying. Your point of time spent travelling vs time at destination is a good one. We are planning a total of 2 weeks and she knows the journey is important to me and is willing to sacrifice a bit of time at destination to support the GA flying dreams I have. Our intermediate stops will also have commercial service to our destination in the event of a last minute delay as a backup. Addendum: ordered a Starlink

I am thoroughly enjoying all of these responses. Thank you! Here are some thoughts on the comments thus far. I have gila static tint on my rear windows... but, it is the automotive one and they did not have a static cling with UV (only the adhesive type which I did not want to use), so mine is just a tint without the UV protection. Seeing that there are household options that include the UV protection is great. I will redo mine this spring. I also have the kinder fluff shades, and found them not to sit adhere all that well, but should give them another try. Everyone has a lightspeed zulu so we are covered for good headsets with bluetooth thankfully. Road trips are usually under 2 hours between stops, but that is with poor bladder planning, so I think 2 hour legs is reasonable, especially if considering travel johns. My wife has done long legs before with me, up to 4 hours, but that was without our kid. My options for "posh" FBOs are more limited than in the US. I could not believe the level of service I got when I rolled up at KBIL last summer. Thanks all!

Love this discussion. Taking all to heart and my wife is also appreciative of the perspectives! I might as well be more specific with one of our hopeful missions in the summers. CYQL - CYRO.

Thanks, good advice and I feel that will be the likely situation until I see where her comfort level is.

Happy new year! I flew a lot in December working on my IFR rating. Very excited to get that finished in 2026 and start to use it responsibly!