My Century HSI just went TU

[231LV]

Following on with the joys of airplane ownership, I now have a new problem to replace the old problem....the old problem was a dancing ammeter which turns out wasn't a slipping frangible clutch but a loose connection at the Master bus bar. Woo hoo! That saved me a couple of AMU's. The new problem will eat that up with gusto. My Century HSI just died. At least, the vertical card compass side of it died....the slaved autopilot still works but meanders all over the selected course because the compass doesn't track. I had this overhauled about 2 years ago. Decision time....I'm leaning toward the Aspen EFD for the primary flight instruments. I haven't really started to dig into the particulars yet and don't know if I am going to require the 8 AMU version or the 15 AMU....an overhauled HSI comes in around 4 to 5 AMU's....I'm wondering what some of you flying behind HSI's have done...all suggestions welcome!

[KSMooniac]

I think putting more than 1 AMU into any old mechanical HSI is false economy these days, unless you plan to sell the plane soon.

[ArtVandelay]

I had a problem with my HSI that was solved by simply cleaning the electrical contacts, try the simple, cheap fix first.

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[John Pleisse]

I agree. I think you should consider an Aspen. You might get your rebuild costs in a core trade. The belts in my NSD HSI were slipping. It went almost 20 years and 3000 TT without being removed once. I was given $3,500 for it trade towards a new Aspen.

[Marauder]

Following on with the joys of airplane ownership, I now have a new problem to replace the old problem....the old problem was a dancing ammeter which turns out wasn't a slipping frangible clutch but a loose connection at the Master bus bar. Woo hoo! That saved me a couple of AMU's. The new problem will eat that up with gusto. My Century HSI just died. At least, the vertical card compass side of it died....the slaved autopilot still works but meanders all over the selected course because the compass doesn't track. I had this overhauled about 2 years ago. Decision time....I'm leaning toward the Aspen EFD for the primary flight instruments. I haven't really started to dig into the particulars yet and don't know if I am going to require the 8 AMU version or the 15 AMU....an overhauled HSI comes in around 4 to 5 AMU's....I'm wondering what some of you flying behind HSI's have done...all suggestions welcome!

I can't speak to the refurbishment costs for a mechanical HSI but do know my buddy here told me that the next time his BK unit dies, he was going with an Aspen.

I never owned an HSI until the Aspen was installed. My buddy who flies behind the mechanical one says he likes the wealth of information it provides in addition to the primary function. What he is talking about is the fact that it has a moving map under the HSI, will provide you winds aloft, speed and altitude as well as allowing you to remove your VSI. In additon, you will get GPSS roll steering for your WAAS GPS and a couple of RMI pointers which essentially allows you to use 3 different navigation sources at one time.

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[Mooneymite]

I had this overhauled about 2 years ago. Decision time...

 

Just 2 years ago?

 

I'd start by calling the overhauler and asking what he thought might be the cause.  I doubt the bearings, or anything overhauled has already failed in that short amount of time.

 

I agree with TeeJay....check out the simple, cheap solutions first.....Unless you just really want that Aspen, in which case you'll have to explain to your wife that it going to save you money to install something new.

[Marauder]

Just 2 years ago?

Unless you just really want that Aspen, in which case you'll have to explain to your wife that it going to save you money to install something new.

How do you think I convinced my wife to let me buy mine? Told her all you guys were doing it!

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[Seth]

Thought I don't have an Aspen, if I end up with the dreaded HSI issue, I'll probably get an Aspen as that will also get me GPSS, which I don't have now, and would cost 3 grand for on it's own.  It's included with the Aspen.  So I get a new HSI, Glass, a backup battery, and GPSS.

 

I don't plan to update and add GPSS as I currently simply turn the heading myself at the waypoints, but if it was included in my upgrade unit for an HSI, then I'd do it.

 

I hope however not to have that issue for many years to come!

 

-Seth

[Marauder]

Thought I don't have an Aspen, if I end up with the dreaded HSI issue, I'll probably get an Aspen as that will also get me GPSS, which I don't have now, and would cost 3 grand for on it's own. It's included with the Aspen. So I get a new HSI, Glass, a backup battery, and GPSS.

I don't plan to update and add GPSS as I currently simply turn the heading myself at the waypoints, but if it was included in my upgrade unit for an HSI, then I'd do it.

I hope however not to have that issue for many years to come!

-Seth

Seth -- once you go Aspen GPSS, you'll never go back...

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[John Pleisse]

I had to use an urban dictionary to find the actual definition of "Aviation Monetary Unit". I thought 231LV was from Europe...or something. I suspect this is code for married guys hiding it from their wives.

 

1 AMU= $1,000.00

 

I know...I am the last to know. :)

[KSMooniac]

John, the little known corollary to the AMU is the JMU, and in many budgets AMU expenditures must be equally offset with JMU's.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(JMU = Jewelry Monetary Unit)   

[BillC]

Isn't the 8 AMU Aspen unit for VFR enroute? I thought the more expensive PRO 1000 PFD is for IFR.

[Marauder]

I had to use an urban dictionary to find the actual definition of "Aviation Monetary Unit". I thought 231LV was from Europe...or something. I suspect this is code for married guys hiding it from their wives.

1 AMU= $1,000.00

I know...I am the last to know. :)

Yep, you're the last to know. I figured that out about a week after I joined. Then again, selling your Mooney to fly around in a Bonanza, you probably are trying to convince yourself that Bonanza costs should be 1/1000th of what they are.

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[OR75]

Out of curiosity:

 

Anyone installed an Aspen 1000 VFR PFD ?

Much cheaper (~5000+install) and would be a great replacement to your HSI. Especially if you already have a GPS with moving map. 

 

In my humble opinion their naming of the unit is a bit  unfortunate as it seems to infer that you cannot use it for IFR which is not the case.  

 

If you have a GPS with moving map, you really do not need the situational awareness that an HSI provides

[apriav]

I would go Aspen, last time it was 3AMUs to fix the HSI.

Correct me if I am wrong, but if you placard the Aspen for VFR use only and not use it in IFR conditions (partial panel)then you are OK?

[jetdriven]

The aspen vfr unit has no HSI, GPSS, or nav annunciatiors. The cost to upgrade that is an additional 5 grand. http://www.aspenavionics.com/pdf/Feature%20Comparison_FF.pdf

[OR75]

I would go Aspen, last time it was 3AMUs to fix the HSI.

Correct me if I am wrong, but if you placard the Aspen for VFR use only and not use it in IFR conditions (partial panel)then you are OK?

 

 

The "Aspen 1000 PRO VFR" is IFR approved. (see TSO list) 

 

It is basically a glass AI / DG / VOR/LOC/GS

[231LV]

How do you think I convinced my wife to let me buy mine? Told her all you guys were doing it!

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great suggestions and thoughts and yes, telling her all YOU guys were buying them was going to be my plan of attack plus the old, "well, how much are our lives worth?" approach. I will call the shop that provided the overhauled unit and see what, if anything, they might recommend. My experience with this kind of stuff is usually caveat emptor. In fact, at the last overhaul, the shop really tried to push me into the Aspen telling me the HSI's live in a tough environment and there is no way to tell how long this overhauled unit will go....I'm guessing there won't be much sympathy.

I'm intrigued by the VFR unit being certified for IFR although after flying 10 years behind an HSI for IFR approaches I wonder I I could ever figure out how to do one without it!

[larryb]

I have the aspen pro 1000. Now I'm thinking about the 2nd display..... I doubt anybody here would be happy with the VFR unit. I agree, it doesn't make long term sense to overhaul a mechanical HSI.

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[Marauder]

I have the aspen pro 1000. Now I'm thinking about the 2nd display..... I doubt anybody here would be happy with the VFR unit. I agree, it doesn't make long term sense to overhaul a mechanical HSI.

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I agree. The PFD and MFD 1000 combination makes for a great combination. Not only do you get full reversion capability, you also get a second HSI.

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[John Pleisse]

John, the little known corollary to the AMU is the JMU, and in many budgets AMU expenditures must be equally offset with JMU's.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(JMU = Jewelry Monetary Unit)   

 

I know......

 

Hey 231LV.....now that you are actually considering the Aspen, your HSI is scaring me. Please don't tell me you have a Cent 31....this (if I am correct) is a plagued autopilot that doesn't interface with the Aspen, or at least well.

[John Pleisse]

Yep, you're the last to know. I figured that out about a week after I joined. Then again, selling your Mooney to fly around in a Bonanza, you probably are trying to convince yourself that Bonanza costs should be 1/1000th of what they are.

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Yeah...let me tell you what an alternator conversion and front shoulder harnesses cost me.......... Funny...a good mechanic will itemize every steel screw, washer, gasket and even touch up paint.....but there's a reason good shops never charge for lubricant. :)

[KSMooniac]

Yeah...let me tell you what an alternator conversion and front shoulder harnesses cost me.......... Funny...a good mechanic will itemize every steel screw, washer, gasket and even touch up paint.....but there's a reason good shops never charge for lubricant. :)

Well, you're a rich Beechcraft owner now!     You should expect to pay a lot, right?

[John Pleisse]

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. :)

[231LV]

I know......

 

Hey 231LV.....now that you are actually considering the Aspen, your HSI is scaring me. Please don't tell me you have a Cent 31....this (if I am correct) is a plagued autopilot that doesn't interface with the Aspen, or at least well.

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.