My Century HSI just went TU

[John Pleisse]

No it's the Century 41 autopilot in my plane. So far, in ten years of owing the plane, the autopilot hasn't caused me any problems...as to interface, I haven't gotten that far into the research yet...still trying to figure out what I can afford, get away with, somehow justify...yada, yada.

 

C-41 is an awesome AP...as well as all the other C-AP's, but in early 231's, they had a slew of 31's and apparently they are troublesome. My avionics guy said the 31 and the Aspen would NOT play in the sandbox together, however all other C-AP's were good to go. I learned this shopping for a 231 some years back. The Aspen AP interface should be $600 if they haven't already made it free included in the software.

[Marauder]

No it's the Century 41 autopilot in my plane. So far, in ten years of owing the plane, the autopilot hasn't caused me any problems...as to interface, I haven't gotten that far into the research yet...still trying to figure out what I can afford, get away with, somehow justify...yada, yada.

Looks like the Century 41 is supported using the ACU box (provided with the PFD). It looks like it may support the flight director too if you have one installed. The flight director is a single cue. If you have a WAAS GPS, then you will also get GPSS roll steering as well. http://www.aspenavionics.com/support/evolution-approvals/ Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[jetdriven]

I bought a 57' Chevy (F35).... it lumbers at 138KTS...... If I strike it rich some day, I'll get a Bravo w/TKS and a new wheel barrel for cash infusion. :)

That Bonanza should go much faster than 138 knots. We flew an air race against a C35 with the E-185-11 engine and it made 175 MPH. Thats at the 185 HP limit of 2300 RPM, but still, just as fast as a J.  The F35 with the pressure carb ought to do an honest 150 knots or so.

[John Pleisse]

That Bonanza should go much faster than 138 knots. We flew an air race against a C35 with the E-185-11 engine and it made 175 MPH. Thats at the 185 HP limit of 2300 RPM, but still, just as fast as a J.  The F35 with the pressure carb ought to do an honest 150 knots or so.

 

Yes...it does....at (take a knee).... 10,000 msl.....according to the book. I have been truing out at 140KTAS at 6500. Haven't been up to 10,000 yet...maybe tonight. It really is a clever, ingenious airplane. I have the E225.

[jetdriven]

May want to fool with the F35 some, you should get 150-155 knots at regular altitudes with it. Here's a BT thread about them.  Max Grogan said his would do 155 KTAS at 2300 RPM, ROP, 12.5 GPH and I'd believe it.

 

http://www.beechtalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=71301&p=807296&hilit=f35+speed#p807296

 

I know the Bonanzas are sensitive to aileron and flap rigging. Even more so than the Mooney.  I used to work for an aircraft dealer and he took a G35 on trade, and it was slow. He used that to beat the seller up on the money. But he knew what to do, the flaps and ailerons were drooping. We re-rigged it, and no kidding, it picked up 15 knots.

[231LV]

...OK....so now for the next question....I'm in the SF Bay Area.....I'm wondering what avionic shops you would recommend...I have already spoken with LASAR who only does Garmin and has never done an Aspen Evolution Pro 1000 install...Sterling in Concord can do it but they seem kind of high for the install compared to other shops around the US. I certainly understand the value of convenience but their quoted install price is $1000's higher!

[231LV]

...as a follow on to the immediately preceding post, I found the quoted price at Chief Aircraft in Oregon to be the lowest at $11,500 installed.....about $4,500 cheaper than the highest quote I obtained

[Marauder]

...as a follow on to the immediately preceding post, I found the quoted price at Chief Aircraft in Oregon to be the lowest at $11,500 installed.....about $4,500 cheaper than the highest quote I obtained

It is frigging amazing how much variation there is in the installation quotes. I had an $8000 difference between the high and low quotes on my avionics upgrades.

If you want, I will look back at my quotes and see what I was quoted for the single Aspen (that is what I started with until I went crazy).

I don't know much about Chief other than I bought a lot of stuff from them over the years. Can't speak to their avionics shop.

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[Amelia]

Last week I was off W32 a very few miles SE of Washington DC, just climbing through 1000' on the assigned heading of 180, when I saw the Washington Monument dead ahead. Ooooops!! HSI was talking nonsense. Compass was wandering as expected with the turn, and I needed help fast, before I had a military escort. I turned to my G530, used its magnetic course indication to head away from that very special airspace. All the while explaining to Potomac Approach that I was sorting out an electronic problem. Pretty soon, settled on the assigned route, I turned my attention to the HSI, reset the circuit breaker, and after a few red-flag minutes, all was well, and it behaved the rest of the trip. Don't know what was up with that, unless it was the doohickey that gives compass information to the HSI needed to be reset. It is usually so very good, I confess I forget to do that. Or maybe the electronics didn't like sitting outside in two weeks of rainy weather. All the same, I'm hoping to NOT have to convince my Chancellor of the Exchequer that just because I eschew fancy jewelry, a nice car and decent clothes, I really deserve that lovely Aspen unit.

[231LV]

Last week I was off W32 a very few miles SE of Washington DC, just climbing through 1000' on the assigned heading of 180, when I saw the Washington Monument dead ahead. Ooooops!! HSI was talking nonsense. Compass was wandering as expected with the turn, and I needed help fast, before I had a military escort. I turned to my G530, used its magnetic course indication to head away from that very special airspace. All the while explaining to Potomac Approach that I was sorting out an electronic problem. Pretty soon, settled on the assigned route, I turned my attention to the HSI, reset the circuit breaker, and after a few red-flag minutes, all was well, and it behaved the rest of the trip. Don't know what was up with that, unless it was the doohickey that gives compass information to the HSI needed to be reset. It is usually so very good, I confess I forget to do that. Or maybe the electronics didn't like sitting outside in two weeks of rainy weather. All the same, I'm hoping to NOT have to convince my Chancellor of the Exchequer that just because I eschew fancy jewelry, a nice car and decent clothes, I really deserve that lovely Aspen unit.

I hope all is sorted out but the reality is that this is usually an indicator of impending failure for the mechanical HSI....what you describe happened to both my HSI's prior to them both dying

[apriav]

Go see Frank at Sterling on the Concord Airport CCR.

I have known, and had Frank work on my stuff for 20+ years.

[231LV]

Go see Frank at Sterling on the Concord Airport CCR.I have known, and had Frank work on my stuff for 20+ years.

See previous post...Sterling quote was $4500 higher...as much as I like and respect Frank ( who has done a lot of work on my plane) I couldn't justify that delta!

[PTK]

See previous post...Sterling quote was $4500 higher...as much as I like and respect Frank ( who has done a lot of work on my plane) I couldn't justify that delta!

You could have a G500 installed for that delta!

[Amelia]

A conversation with my favorite, if faraway avionics tech about elderly HSIs, Aspens, and alternatives yielded this advice:

"If you're going to go with glass, the G500 is the way to go in your Mooney. It interfaces with all the other stuff, G530, KAP, etc, is rock-solid reliable, bright and big enough for, er, senior, eyes to read. The Aspen has reliability problems. The one we have in our aircraft has had some major repair issue every year since we got it 7 years ago."

OK.  And how much did you say that would cost?

"Oh, about thirty."

THIRTY? As in $30,000???

Oooooff. Right.

Steam gauges it is, then. Sigh. The repair, if it turns out to be necessary, is probably what will have to happen. Sigh. Exciting women are expensive, but we aren't bringing that kind of dough these days.

[Marauder]

The problem with the G500 Amelia is that it requires a GAD-43e to interface with "all that stuff". You are also married to a MFD whether you want one or not. And one that doesn't have a second AHRS or battery backup in case of electrical failure in the plane.

I looked seriously at the G500 and couldn't see dropping another $10k for less capability.

As far as reliability, the early Aspens had some issues but were addressed over the last 4 years. I have no regrets going with an Aspen 2000 series.

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[231LV]

Two overhauled HSI's in 23 months with no guarantee that the next one would last even a year?.....I'm opting for the Aspen glass and having the ADSB in /out done at the same time....it will be required in 6 years and I'm betting the wait list for avionic shops to do the mods to comply by 1/1/20 will stretch out for quite a long time as we approach that date!

[Marauder]

Two overhauled HSI's in 23 months with no guarantee that the next one would last even a year?.....I'm opting for the Aspen glass and having the ADSB in /out done at the same time....it will be required in 6 years and I'm betting the wait list for avionic shops to do the mods to comply by 1/1/20 will stretch out for quite a long time as we approach that date!

Definitely wait to hear what comes out of Oshkosh. Aspen ran a rebate during the summer of 2012. Hopefully some news on ADS-B offerings that can work across platforms.

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[PTK]

Two overhauled HSI's in 23 months with no guarantee that the next one would last even a year?.....I'm opting for the Aspen glass...

A hangar mate of mine put in an Aspen PFD in his A36 a couple years and ago. He flies with his wife to Florida for the winter and comes back up for spring.

I saw him a few months ago, as he had just landed before me, back from a local avionics shop! Apparently on their last trip up from Florida his PFD decided it had enough! It died!

Flew airplane to avionics shop. Cost him a couple thousand to have it swapped with another one. Not a new one either because it was conveniently just out of warranty! He wasn't exactly thrilled.

[Marauder]

A hangar mate of mine put in an Aspen PFD in his A36 a couple years and ago. He flies with his wife to Florida for the winter and comes back up for spring.

I saw him a few months ago, as he had just landed before me, back from a local avionics shop! Apparently on their last trip up from Florida his PFD decided it had enough! It died!

Flew airplane to avionics shop. Cost him a couple thousand to have it swapped with another one. Not a new one either because it was conveniently just out of warranty! He wasn't exactly thrilled.

Should have bought the extended warranty:

http://www.aspenavionics.com/products/extended-product-warranty

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[fantom]

Disappointing how some hear only what they want to hear, then report sketchy hear say discussions as fact to support their own personal bias.

Does a disservice to MS, IMO.

[PTK]

On the contrary. I think it's a great service!

I certainly would like to know people's experiences before such a big purchase! Be it Aspen, Garmin, King, Avidyne or anyone else.

The point the small guy in Florida conveniently missed was in response to someone referring to "...two overhauled HSI's in 23 months with no warranties etc etc..."

If there's really no difference in upkeep why put out that initial cost.

Something to think about and research thoroughly.

[PTK]

Should have bought the extended warranty:

http://www.aspenavionics.com/products/extended-product-warranty

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Or should've thought twice before buying it to begin with!

But let's assume one buys the extended warranty. What happens after it runs out?

[Marauder]

Or should've thought twice before buying it to begin with! But let's assume one buys the extended warranty. What happens after it runs out?

Same thing when your Garmin warranty runs out -- you pay. BTW - for $1095, you can get a 2 year extended warranty for the Aspen 2000. You can't even buy an extended warranty for the Garmin G500. Oh that's right... They don't fail... Give Garmin a call tomorrow and see what a repair costs for a G500. Just be sitting down when you do it.

[carusoam]

Hey,,,

Speaking of the BK770....

Any announcements on the second coming yet?

Best regards,

-religiously faithful-

[Marauder]

Hey,,,

Speaking of the BK770....

Any announcements on the second coming yet?

Best regards,

-religiously faithful-

I'm kind of curious what Oshkosh will bring. I love the competition. Better for us and better for the manufacturers. Makes them compete, which will drive the innovations that Peter speaks so highly of.