Search the Community

Buying a 1965 Ranger equipped with a Garmin 430 (non-WAAS). Called Garmin to check on upgrading it to full WAAS...$4400, plus an antenna, cabling and labor by the installer. The nice man at Garmin Customer Service also indicated that after May 29, 2020 Garmin would no longer support the 430, only the 430W. If you have a 430, keep that in mind. To me, it looks like the industry is moving away from avionics with any VOR capability (For example, the GNC 355), so to have it available as a backup in the box seems like a plus. Starting from scratch with some old Narco radios is one thing, but to have an existing 430, a King 155 and King transponder already in the panel seems like the WAAS upgrade and a Tailbeacon is the way to go. Thoughts?

Hello all, any Avionic Techs out there? A question on what will fit where in a Mooney panel. I have a 1980 K model. Just to the right of the structure tube that hold the compass, I have as follows from top down: An avionics tech at a big shop told me what I want to do is not possible because of "structure in the way". I have pulled the units and checked for clearance. I see moving it up will not be easy, but the clearance is there. Besides that compass structure I cannot find any that would block the cnx. It is about 3" max longer than the MX 20, but there is still room. Would be a bear of a job which is why, I figure, the less than over joyous response from the tech. KMA 24 std size audio panel on top. MX 20 CNX 80/ GNS 430 SL 30 bottom I want to swap the positions of the MX 20 with the 430. The 20 is real easy to read, while the 430 is a bear. It involves leaning forward and fixating on the panel all the wile programming it in a pinch? No thanks. Does anyone have their Garmin 430's or cnx 80's mounted up high, 2nd down from the top of your panel on a K model?

Good morning, I've spent quite a few AMUs this morning window shopping and thought I could bring you guys into it. There have been a few reviews on the IFD440/550 lately and folks seem to like them. People also like the 650 it seems. What do you guys think the return on investment would be in upgrading a 430w to 650 or ifd 440 in utility, resale, etc.? As a wrench in this discussion I have a JPI 700 and it can be upgraded through Spruce for around 1.2AMUs. I'm thinking that bang for the buck might be to do the JPI/650 upgrade if you were going to spend the $ on the IFD. How much do the Avidyne subscriptions cost in comparison to Garmin too?

I have a question for those of you flying the original KFC225 with a WAAS Garmin 4/530, as it was installed on the original pre-glass Ovations etc.: I have never figured out how best to transition smoothly from the Approach mode on the autopilot to the coupled-glideslope Approach mode operation on RNAVS. So here is how it works, let's say on a T-layout RNAV with Glideslope guidance: When I am cleared to the approach, and get close to the initial approach fix, I punch the APProach button on the KFC225. I then use the autopilot to descend to the respective altitudes along the approach. Sometime closing in on the final approach leg of the approach, the Garmins warn me that Glideslope outputs are available. To enable them, I need to push the PROC button, and select Enable A/P Outputs. All that is described in the manuals I have. BUT: when I do that, the autopilot disconnects and starts blinking. Usually, I can turn off and then on the autopilot and that fixes it (couples the approach). But I never figured out how to do that reliably. (For example, the last two approaches I flew, I ended up doing the final approach by hand because I didn't want to get distracted punching buttons). How do others do this? What is the correct sequence to reliably couple the approach without disconnecting the autopilot ever (not that I don't practice by-hand approaches; but in the real soup to minimums I prefer to be the backup and let the autopilot fly, while I scan the altitude and look out the window for signs of seeing the runway…). PS: The last approach, I flew with the Nav BUG, and then when I enabled the A/P glideslope outputs, the autopilot didn’t disconnect. Maybe that is the technique? Fly the bug, until you get glideslope output?

Passing it forward. I have some Garmin 430 & some 530W manuals, documentation and STC etc from my Mooney Rocket that I would like to pass on to someone who would use and benefit from them.

I have a Garmin 430 manual lying around and don't need it any more. It was before the WAAS version came out (1999 edition). I will send it to the first Mooneyspace regular member who responds. I will pay the postage.