Approach Fast Stack

[podair]

http://www.approachfaststack.com/

What do of the avionics gurus here think of it?
Seems a pretty neat way of rationalising the rats’ nest of wires behind the panel, and also simplifies additional upgrades.

I am planning a panel redo at some point, and so far I’ve always been told do everything in one go, but can’t afford to do my xmas shopping in one go. This system seems to enable a more gradual approach, making additional upgrades easier.

The few people who have used this system on Beechtalk and other forums rave about it.

[Danb]

Awesome...

[Awful_Charlie]

I looked at it briefly a while ago, but it was going to be a 3-4000USD job on their hardware alone, and that's quite a lot of A&P time to do wiring.In addition, it's not totally comprehensive - things like fuel flow, engine monitors, air data etc will still have to be done in another method, and of course if you take stupid EU rules for an ADF and the like, then those are excluded too....

 

I've always thought the standard way of wiring avionics was inefficient, with direct connections where ever they are needed, and a hub and spoke concept would be far more practical. I did consider using something like a wire wrap board to accomplish this, but the number of mods. I've mode in any single fitment made it seem a bit superfluous.

 

That said, my A&P used it to re-wire his Twinkie and it did the job for him. I would have a sit down with your man and see what he thinks, and then maybe start looking at how much you are going to have outside of the fast stack system

[carusoam]

Adding the hub seams to increase the number of connections.

The part that Is most interesting is the prewired harnesses.

The company has a certain skill for identifying plugs and wires for every box available.

If you could have them build harnesses for your intended set-up.

That would be nice.

On the other hand, I watch guys in my local shop do this every day...

A typical challenge is to integrate fuel flow, GPS distance, fuel level, other warnings, and traffic to one or more displays.

Then there is the other challenge where Garmin doesn't want to integrate with anyone else.

Can these guys bridge that gap?

Best regards,

-a-

[Piloto]

I looked into it for my 530 wiring. The issues that I found with the Fast Stack is that had no room on the back of the panel for a junction box and it doubles the number of connectors and wires used. I just built the harness following Garmin Installation Manual, tested it on the bench. And then installed in the plane. It worked the first time. 

 

José

[Bill Dunn]

be careful what you buy. make sure it is STC'd for your aircraft. I skimmed their install manual and didn't see anything about an STC, that means you would have to pay out a lot more money for a DER and field approval from the FAA.

[Aerodon]

be careful what you buy. make sure it is STC'd for your aircraft. I skimmed their install manual and didn't see anything about an STC, that means you would have to pay out a lot more money for a DER and field approval from the FAA.

My understanding is they are milspec cables and harnesses, and the hub is not a powerd device, so none of these are any different to any other installation supply you might be using?  They've been at it for 10 years, if it was a problem the FAA would have been all over them by now? Don 

[Bill Dunn]

It's not a problem it's just limited to who can have it in their plane. The FAA is all about paperwork.

The experimental world gets all kinds of cool gadgets before everyone else, this could be one of those type of things.

Like I stated I quickly skimmed it, they may have STC's out for it but I'm saying I didn't see anything.

[OR75]

This is a minor mod.

The FAA is about paper work but also does not like rats nests

[ryoder]

I ran into this while researching building an experimental. It does seem to cost a lot but I like the idea. When I install aftermarket head units in cars I always buy the forty dollar harness that makes it plug and play. Too bad that doesn't exist for point to point connections from nav heads to indicators etc.

[Aerodon]

I think your estimate of $3-4000 is maybe a little high, but it all depends on what you are going to install.  

 

In my opinion hard wiring and the Approach hub are similar in cost.  But I've seen what it costs to change out a transponder or even just an encoder, so I see a huge benefit in having a plug n play solution.  For example, you may want to install a G430 now, and a GTN650 or 750 later.  It's pretty much one cable you have to change out.  Then you may want to remove your KCS55 HSI and install an Aspen, same thing.

 

I have a couple of hubs and various cables on the shelf if you are interested in building up a system. 

 

Don

supercub180@gmail.com