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Anyone upgrading with Aspen PFDs?

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ProprAire Enthusiast

ProprAire

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I just took delivery of my '77 M20J from it's annual and had an Aspen Pro EFD installed at KDKK.  The work was delayed a couple of weeks due to the shop reducing manpower and they had to go back to Aspen for a replacement remote sensor module.  However, the results seem to have been worth the wait.  I have about 14 hours behind the unit and am quite pleased with how it performs. 


I'm interested to know of any nuances, convenience features, etc., anyone may have stumbled on that aren't discussed in the owner's manual. 

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rogerl Rising Star

rogerl

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Picking it up tomorrow.  Won't see full functionality until a GPS is installed - it is initially coupled only to KNS80 and KX170B navs.  I made the move now since my KCS 55a was starting to stick, and I didn't want to troubleshoot/rebuild it merely to eventually replace with an ADAHRS, and using a whiskey compass in charlie airspace is a _little_ dicey.  It will be coupled to the KFC200.


It'll be ideal if I can hold out on the GPS until the KSN 770 comes out - at the very least it should put some price pressure on the aging 4/530 family.  Optimistic on an Osh announcement, but who knows ...


So far, am not particularly happy that a 1 week estimate is now at 3 weeks - but that seems to be pretty standard with folks working on aircraft - can't (or won't) estimate realistic completion dates.  Aspen publishes something like 40 to 50 hours for a standard install time.  I did have to get the ki256 relocated - which I would expect not much more than 8 hours to accomplish.


Should have some pictures tomorrow - assuming the winds hold out.  Will give more description of the costs, shop, etc. when things shake out.


Great idea to start a thread for experiences/hints with the Aspen - will post as I get some time with it, and am looking forward to others' hints.

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carusoam Grand Master

carusoam

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propr,


Very nice installation photograph...


Aside from the Aspen portion, I especially like the 19.7 mpg indication while cruising 150+kts level at 9,000.  You have really captured the essence of Mooney in one photo.


Best regards,


-a-

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Magnum Experienced

Magnum

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Quote: rogerl

...So far, am not particularly happy that a 1 week estimate is now at 3 weeks - but that seems to be pretty standard with folks working on aircraft - can't (or won't) estimate realistic completion dates.  Aspen publishes something like 40 to 50 hours for a standard install time.  ...

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rogerl Rising Star

rogerl

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Test flight went ok - goodbye trusty old kcs55a.  Aspen seems to work fine with the KFC 200, including running vor intercepts.


Going to take time to get used to tapes instead of dials.  Kept looking to the steam ASI and altimeter most of the time, and missing the VSI.  One suggestion installer had was to get some 'inop' steam gauge covers to force going first to the tapes.


Another good fact pointed out was that the arrangement of the tapes is the same as the old six pack; ASI upper left, attitude center, altimeter upper right and vsi lower left  DG/HSI lower center.  The slip/skid indicator is different, but in a 'better' kind of way except it's pretty small.


So that's about 45 minutes without any real nav use; more to come in the months ahead.


Note 1: airspeeds were set to mph; as per installer:


We are obligated to set the airspeed display to MPH rather than KTS since
that is they way your POH reads per the Aspen STC.  Let me do some checking
to see if we can deviate from the STC and set the reading for KTS.

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Jeev Experienced

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The Aspen really looks nice and the added capabilities are awesome!  I am thinking of doing this upgrade during my annual in August. If you guys don't mind can you post the final installed price or PM me?  Thanks!

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ProprAire Enthusiast

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Quote: carusoam

propr,

Very nice installation photograph...

Aside from the Aspen portion, I especially like the 19.7 mpg indication while cruising 150+kts level at 9,000.  You have really captured the essence of Mooney in one photo.

Best regards,

-a-

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ProprAire Enthusiast

ProprAire

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Quote: Magnum

I had to wait 3 months. After 2 weeks the installation was completed, but the STC was not ready. My shop sent me a picture of the installation, so instead of flying I looked at it for 10 weeks :-(. But it is worth to wait, it is a great unit.

BTW: My shop told me that they had a couple of complete failures of the Aspen, did someone else have this experience?

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ProprAire Enthusiast

ProprAire

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Quote: rogerl

Paid quite a lot for it - $15k out the door (including $1.3k local tax and relocating the ki256 and interfacing with KFC200).  Supposed to get $1k rebate from Aspen in a promo, so am expecting $14k.  It is only interfaced with my KNS80; supposedly you'd need a second analog converter to also interface to my 170B.  I guess for another measly $13k I could have gone G500, but the subscription fees (not to mention the $13k) scared me out of that.

Got it done by Santa Fe Aero (http://www.psavionics.com/).  Check ebay for some very basic pricing on an install - there's a guy who is doing it for $11k, but I have no experience with him.  Santa Fe Aero is a little expensive, but they have done over 20 of them, including one for one of the Aspen company founders' mooney's (don't quote me on the quoting) (which was in the shop when I came in).  So far so good; several of the principals used to work in Cutter's aviation dept. in Abq before it was downsized.

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