New King KI 300 Electronic AI

[carqwik]

Although I'm not at Oshkosh, I see that BK announced a new electronic AI that replaces the KI-256 attitude indicator (along with other KI-25x gyro based AI's).  According the website, it also fully integrates with the BK autopilots....so we still get the FD command bar as well (assuming you have the KFC a/p).

 

http://www.bendixking.com/V4/KI-300

 

For the Bravo owners, assuming BK can get this certified, is it safe to assume that if we put one in the Bravo, we could also eliminate the entire vacuum system as well?  That would be huge...

 

Can anyone at Oshkosh find out if this would be the case? 

[Av8]

This is interesting.  last time my AI went out I did some research on Aspen vs. steam gauges and one of the appeals was the ability to eliminate the vacuum system in my J.  I would feel much more comfortable spending the $$ on this unit rather than $2-3k every 3-4 years swapping out aging/rebuilt gyro driven equipment.

 

One concern from the Aspen was being told that I had to have a backup AI panel mounted - if this was a true primary replacement, could be a true upgrade opportunity for the aging 6-pack - particularly in our older plans that simply cannot justify putting in something like a G500...

 

Hope anyone at Oshkosh will post updates/info as you learn more detail

[gsengle]

Ha!  You beat me to it - I was just about to post this.  I had mine overhauled a couple of years back, but would have put this in had it been available...  The overhaul was over 2k, so I would have strongly considered this...  I wonder if there will be an HSI model next...

[carusoam]

That is so hot-off-the-press...

Nobody proof read it for spelling errors. Makes it a challenging read...

Not their first time either. The KSN brochure I got had a WASS GPS.

Don't rush the marketing materials. It sends the wrong message.

Keep in mind when we saw the KSN live, it had similar challenges....

It was close, just not done yet...

The KI 300 looks more like a back-up device compared to other digital BKs...

http://www.bendixking.com/Products/Autopilots-Indicators/Autopilots/KFC-325

Best regards,

-a-

[carqwik]

Don't throw cold water on hopes as to what this may mean...solid state AHRS, removal of vacuum system, some weight loss, and some tiny increase in useful horsepower (no need to turn the vacuum pump), and no more overhauls of one of the two gyro systems....just sayin'....

 

I'd definitely be a buyer...and it would be even better if BK came out with a unit that replaced both the AI and HSI with solid state  electronics...

[gsengle]

For me it begs a couple of questions - wouldn't replacing the AI and HSI basically be a basic Aspen?  And if so, why cant Aspen get approval as a primary flight instrument, like this one purports to be?

 

Finally, is there an approved way to remove the vacuum system?  What do you do with the backup vacuum pump switch, annunciator, etc. - just curious how this works.

 

g

[carusoam]

g,

Craig lead the vacuum removal charge in his J using a few Aspens, battery back up and other things...

Don K may have done it with the new g-Suite in his Bravo. (?)

Won't be a low cost alternative.

Data presentation is spectacular.

Somebody has to go first with BK in their Mooney. I lost the pioneering spirit with age.

I've become a follower...

[gsengle]

I wonder if being in an Ovation, already having 2 batteries and two alternators, plus having back-up batteries in the instruments themselves would be sufficient.  Then you just pull out the pumps?  Field approval?

 

g

[carusoam]

Probably with that, good to go.

The independent resources was key, not the two different source types.

I am still just a PP, not a mechanic or instrument guy....

Best regards,

-a-

[PTK]

Wow! This is HUGE!!  Exactly what's been missing. Nothing more and nothing less!! 

[carusoam]

Digital Breitling?

[Marauder]

Wow! This is HUGE!! Exactly what's been missing. Nothing more and nothing less!!

Nothing like a Swiss watch, huh Peter?!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[PTK]

Nothing like a Swiss watch, huh Peter?!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Nothing!

[Alan Fox]

I saw it , it is 7 K , forgot to ask about certification....

[N601RX]

I wonder if being in an Ovation, already having 2 batteries and two alternators, plus having back-up batteries in the instruments themselves would be sufficient. Then you just pull out the pumps? Field approval?

g

There is a foot note on the type certificate that details the conditions the pump may be removed.

[gsengle]

Yes I saw they had amended the type certificate for it on another thread

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[PTK]

The typical application replacing the KI 256, as in my KFC 150 for example, has an MSRP of 6K. It will probably sell for less than that.

Not bad! Not bad at all!

http://www.flyingmag.com/avionics-gear/instrumentaccessories/ki-300-solid-state-adi-bendixking

Remove and replace vacuum pump with a standby alternator and voila!

An all electric airplane for well under 10K!

[Marauder]

http://www.flyingmag.com/avionics-gear/instrumentaccessories/ki-300-solid-state-adi-bendixking

What we going to do if they retire the Swiss watch HSI?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[gsengle]

End of an era

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[FlyDave]

My 1989 Bravo has vacuum operated speed brakes, so I can't remove the vacuum system. If you're flying an older Bravo, make sure you don't have this dependency on the vacuum system before removing it.

I do think that the Aspen would be a better solution than this BK unit but the Aspen cannot replace the KI-297 altitude pre-select or the altimeter that goes along with it.

After talking to Aspen at Oshkosh this week I'm probably going to bite the bullet and go with a G500 just to be rid of these gyro based instruments that cost multiple AMU's to fix every couple of years. I'll still have the vacuum system for speedbrakes but I won't (that is my hope....) be repairing gyros every 3-4 years.

[carusoam]

What would be involved to swap to electric brakes?

Best regards,

-a-

[FlyDave]

Not sure Aaron. But I'm sure it's and entire new system (10 AMU's?)

[aviatoreb]

What would be involved to swap to electric brakes?

Best regards,

-a-

 

Yeah me too - my HSI, attitude indicator and speed brakes are the only reason in my airplane that I maintain a vaccum with backup electric vacuum.  If king comes up with an electronic drop in hsi as well (I am SURE they will soon) then that would leave just the speed brakes - at that point, it would pay to switch.  I wonder how much.

[mike_elliott]

Although I'm not at Oshkosh, I see that BK announced a new electronic AI that replaces the KI-256 attitude indicator (along with other KI-25x gyro based AI's).  According the website, it also fully integrates with the BK autopilots....so we still get the FD command bar as well (assuming you have the KFC a/p).

 

http://www.bendixking.com/V4/KI-300

 

For the Bravo owners, assuming BK can get this certified, is it safe to assume that if we put one in the Bravo, we could also eliminate the entire vacuum system as well?  That would be huge...

 

Can anyone at Oshkosh find out if this would be the case? 

at $6000, it might face some price point resistance when there is the Aspen option for a few sheckles more, that gives you so much more. And to keep PTK happy, there is the G500 option for only 4 times the price, but you have to keep your vaccum system.

[PTK]

at $6000, it might face some price point resistance when there is the Aspen option for a few sheckles more, that gives you so much more. And to keep PTK happy, there is the G500 option for only 4 times the price, but you have to keep your vaccum system.

Mike, I'm not sure that's going to be the case. Don't forget that the Aspen needs a second backup AI which invariably adds to the cost. As an example the Lifesaver will add another 4 grand on top of the aspen.

The KI300 does not require a backup AI. Probably because it's DO-178B criticality level B. (Aspen is only level C.) MSRP is 6 grand and street will probably be lower.

And it's a direct replacement of the venerable KI25x. No extra boxes to worry about.

I think it's a no brainer! It is exactly what's been missing all along!