geoffb Posted December 15, 2015 Report Posted December 15, 2015 The Sandia SAI340 seems to be exactly what I was hoping for in a second attitude instrument. Since the old E has a Brittain AP, everything but the turn indicator is vacuum. I've never been comfortable in the clouds with needle, ball and airspeed as my backup plan. So for $3k you get what looks to be a certified Dynon D10 EFIS install with a logbook entry. But as analysis paralysis sets in, I notice that the EFD1000 VFR is about $4.5k which if I understand it correctly, would allow me to dump the DG. No installed GPS, VORs and a handheld still have no problem getting me where I go. The Sandia definitely gets me what I want. Does the Aspen get me more without adding an IFR GPS? What am I missing? Quote
ryoder Posted December 15, 2015 Report Posted December 15, 2015 I was quoted over 3k labor to install the Aspen VFR pfd by Sarasota. Its not a logbook entry. It's more involved. Please correct me if I am wrong. I thought it would be an easy install. Quote
ArtVandelay Posted December 15, 2015 Report Posted December 15, 2015 I was quoted over 3k labor to install the Aspen VFR pfd by Sarasota. Its not a logbook entry. It's more involved. Please correct me if I am wrong. I thought it would be an easy install. They're advertising PFD pro installed for $11789, sounds like spending more for the pro would save you money They have to install a backup GPS antenna, are they doing the GPSS as well? Quote
FoxMike Posted December 15, 2015 Report Posted December 15, 2015 I just bought a 340 Quartto and have flown it about 3 hours. So far it is living up to expectations. I have a picture in the Avionics/Panel section under thread "Just in Time for christmas". Walt Quote
OR75 Posted December 15, 2015 Report Posted December 15, 2015 The Quattro and the Aspen are not in the same league (even the Aspen VFR). So even if the list prices seem comparable, all in all the Aspen will end up a lot more money installed. One is an EFIS (and can drive AP) the other one is not. I would ask a quote from a shop as install will make a huge difference. The Aspen VFR is a "regular" Aspen without the GS ... So just like the name says VFR only. But if you are sure you are not going to install an IFR GPS, the install should be a little simpler and you can get rid of an indicator. Also, you may want to ask yourself what is your plan to meet the ADS-B requirement in the future (not saying you will need to have an IFR GPS but it is a possibility) I wonder what % of the Mooney fleet is VFR only. Benefit of the Aspen in my opinion is if you can also get rid of one VOR/LOC/(GS) indicator. So you are really installing 1 instrument that uses 2 instruments "spots" and frees a 3rd Quote
Marauder Posted December 15, 2015 Report Posted December 15, 2015 I was quoted over 3k labor to install the Aspen VFR pfd by Sarasota. Its not a logbook entry. It's more involved. Please correct me if I am wrong. I thought it would be an easy install. It has much of the same installation time requirements of the the Pro model. It has an emergency backup GPS that will require installation and the connections to the Nav radios for the CDI function. There is no HSI, no GPSS and other features on the VFR version. There is an upgrade path to the PRO version. It involves software and any new connections made for the ACU to control the GPSS & AP functions. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote
geoffb Posted December 16, 2015 Author Report Posted December 16, 2015 Is the VFR PFD only certified for VFR use? And you don't get any HSI functionality with the VFR? If either of those things are true, I don't see any benefit in it for me. Quote
Marauder Posted December 16, 2015 Report Posted December 16, 2015 Is the VFR PFD only certified for VFR use? And you don't get any HSI functionality with the VFR? If either of those things are true, I don't see any benefit in it for me. Yes and yes Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote
geoffb Posted December 16, 2015 Author Report Posted December 16, 2015 Don't know why you need a fancy integrated primary flight display for flying VFR, but that's just me. Guess I'll get in queue for the SAI340. One last question in this subject. Earlier FAA advisories allowed the replacement of the turn coordinator with an electric AI as long as you added a slip ball. Now we have guidance that you can replace the vacuum AI with electric as long as you meet the requirements in the new AC. So, if I add the SAI 340 and use it as my primary attitude instrument and keep the vacuum AI as backup, can I remove the turn coordinator from my panel and be in compliance? 1 Quote
OR75 Posted December 16, 2015 Report Posted December 16, 2015 In effect what you are doing is replacing the TC with the electric AI based on the old AC. Then you are just switching the 2 AIs locations. That's what I plan to do. I plan to keep the vacuum AI as it drives my A/P Quote
carusoam Posted December 16, 2015 Report Posted December 16, 2015 The old TC came with a few things... 1) a separate power source with a battery back-up. (Important when the primary instrument power source fails) 2) a standard rate turn indicator. (Not too important, speed and bank angle works) 3) ball based slip indicator. (Really important on the slow turn to final) A replacement for the TC should at least cover these issues as well... Best regards, -a- Quote
gsengle Posted December 16, 2015 Report Posted December 16, 2015 This is why I'd swap for the soon to be certified King unit, and then be able to pull my vacuum system. I have a dynon pocket panel panel mounted as my imc backup... Wish Sandel could drive the king autopilot... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote
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