Aspen Pro Cost

[merrja]

Call Kirk Fryer at Sarasota Avionics,Tell Him Jim Merritt or Mark Wiedner sent you.

[TWinter]

Finally got all the goodies in at the avionics shop. 41M goes in the shop on the 11th ( a week from Monday). Going to be a different bird. Kind of like early Christmas for a big kid  Going to be a long 3-4 week install process..I'll have Mooney withdrawals.

 

-Tom

[TWinter]

I've been really been thinking about the install and looking at other installs. I won't reiterate all the upgrades, but thinking aloud and wondering  if I should consider keeping the ASI, Altimeter and the VSI. Even though I'll have the Aspen Pro and Aspen MFD w/ battery back-up I'm really considering keeping these three? Thoughts, to repetitive or required? I don't think they are required with this new upgrades, but it's what I've been familiar with over the years and I notice many pilots keep these in the panel even after upgrades. I have the GTN750 w/ GDL88. I'll also have the JPI 930 so all the engine gauges will be replaced, just thinking aloud and looking for thoughts. I'm VFR been working toward my IFR not that this matters, but thought I would also include this info in the mix to consider. 

 

-Tom

[Marauder]

Tom -- I just sent you a PM on this. With the extended battery, you can remove the ASI and altimeter. Just keep in mind, that we are flying a vintage plane without an electrical stand-by power. With a 35 amp hour battery, keeping the 750 and other hardware running may tap out the battery pretty quickly.

I just finished a flight review with an experience airline pilot. He pointed out a need for a plan to address power loss. The Aspens would certainly keep running, but how much spare power would we have in an all electric plane? With the 930 to manage your power and a need for either the 750 or backup radio running to do a legal approach, I am revisiting my electrical emergency procedure to know exactly what equipment can be left on and for how long.

So to answer your question, you can remove them. With an Aspen 2000 with battery backup, you certainly have all of these instruments covered for a good period of time with the Aspens. The bigger issue is what happens to the rest of the equipment. I am checking amp requirements for my equipment and working out a plan on what breakers get pulled in case of an electrical emergency.

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[carusoam]

There is probably a law of diminishing returns involved here....

1) Having additional instruments comes with some additional reliability risk...

2) a couple more fittings added in the pitot static system.

3) It would really be cool if there were two independent P/S systems...

4) If you have extra holes, fill them with the extra instruments.

5) If you go all electric, a spot on a bookshelf is a proper place for retired instruments...

6) how long will it be until Airspeed is measured with an electric sensor with a battery back-up?

7) you can never have too many attitude indicators...

8) second battery would be nice. A second alternator would be good too.

9) Knowing you have an electric failure is important.  Being alerted when your only battery runs out of juice is awfully late to find out your generator has been off line for a half hour already...

10) Go long body!

A PP's chain of consciousness ideas... Or an explanation of how I got to where I am....

Best regards,

-a-

[TWinter]

Just a quick update... All the old insulation has been removed. All the Brittain stuff pulled out and new servos installed. The new servos for the Stec are installed. The new harness for the JPI 930 has finally arrived. Several interior pieces have been sent to AeroComfort to be covered. The wiring for the upgrades continue..As my AP said, "Well, at least when we get done it will be cooler weather for flying, plus you will have all new cool avionics to play with". I think he is just prepping me for the continued long install road ahead.. I've been having withdrawals from not being able to go up.

He sends me occasional pics. Just to tease me I think. Oh well, here is today's tease me pic. Not much to see, but the Aspens and layout look good.

Actually, the pic of the empty panel was a few weeks ago..It's far more sparse now..no yokes, no side panels...not much, but a empty shell and wires. 

 

-Tom

[TWinter]

I feel like it has been sooo long since I've been in the left seat, withdrawals are setting in... You push the thingy-jiggy-doom achy on the left side of the quad to make the plane go fast...right?

 

-Tom

[Marauder]

I feel like it has been sooo long since I've been in the left seat, withdrawals are setting in... You push the thingy-jiggy-doom achy on the left side of the quad to make the plane go fast...right?

 

-Tom

Tom - blow these pictures up and pretend it is your panel. Should tide you over until your plane is finished.

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[TWinter]

2 hours ago, Marauder said:

Tom - blow these pictures up and pretend it is your panel. Should tide you over until your plane is finished.

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Our panels will nearly be twins  

[steingar]

Dunno, I heard at the show that Dynons are now approved for Mooneys.  Aspens are nice, but Dynons are nicer.  Think I'll wait until they approve the Skyview.

[jetdriven]

42 minutes ago, steingar said:

Dunno, I heard at the show that Dynons are now approved for Mooneys.  Aspens are nice, but Dynons are nicer.  Think I'll wait until they approve the Skyview.

The D10 is just mostly an electronic attitude indicator, but it doesn't have nearly the functionality of the top half of the Aspen. 

[kris_adams]

On 8/3/2016 at 10:32 AM, steingar said:

Think I'll wait until they approve the Skyview.

I'm waiting on this (Skyview) as well.  I hope the wait isn't too long but I'm afraid I should measure the wait in years not days/months.

[TWinter]

Well I guess some progress is better than no progress. Here is the basic layout of pilots side. Clear, clean and concise. Wiring for Aspen's is done. Layout for the co-pilot side to start. Estimate about another month before completed. Only took four tries to get the layout to make sense. Doing away with the rocker switches and will have all toggles. Looks a little ragged with the sheeting still on the aluminum, but when finished it will be powder-coated and screen-printed. Got to have some imagination at this point. Interior is being finished at Aero Comfort. Only regret is not being able to get the ceiling panels covered in ultra-suede. The shop worked all the new wiring and antennas without having to remove the headliner up front..All in all we are making progress. the co-pilots side will be cool to see. It will be home for the GTN750, KX155 the JPI 930.

-Tom

[TWinter]

Out with the old insulation and in with the new.. Got wires? Yikes!!

[Marauder]

I hope you got that check I sent you. You'll need it considering what I am seeing!

[TWinter]

28 minutes ago, Marauder said:

I hope you got that check I sent you. You'll need it considering what I am seeing!

Trying to figure out how to pack that kitchen sink you wanted $$  BTW..Yes I did, today.

 

-Tom

[TWinter]

Panel is nearly ready to be sent to powdercoat. Hopefully, pick it up tomorrow to send out to "somebody", still working on that end. Time to decide on color etc..Getting closer. Panel should be pretty clean layout when finished. This is a change from the previous panel on both sides. I think this is revision #4. Glad they are not charging by the sheet. The shop really is working to make it look extra clean and well thought out.

-Tom

[TWinter]

Panels are back in my hands finally. Can't seem to get any return calls from vendors, forum vendors or locals on doing the screen-print or engraving..even the local powder-coater is out of pocket for a few weeks..Nothing more discouraging than wanting to give people your money for service and they still don't reply. The plane is getting closer to being done and I need these ready, no time to wait.

I've decided to start the panel project on my own...Did some research over the weekend and think I'm ready to tackle painting the panels and the lettering will be done using my old sign and graphics computer and plotter. At least if it comes out badly I have nobody to blame, but on the flip side if it comes out good I get to blame the same person.

Pretty frustrating, but I'm always up for a challenge.

 

-Tom

[TWinter]

For anyone following this project..Panel is powder-coated, finally found a shop that actually wanted my business and returned calls, even tossed him a pretty nice bonus tip for getting them done quickly and being efficient (turned out great I think). Having the identifier marks put on now. Switches have been installed on the new yokes and Hector from AComfort emailed saying the newly recovered sidewalls and dash are with Fed Ex and headed this way. Hopefully just 2-3 more weeks and we are flying again. Only been down since first week of July. Getting anxious.

 

-Tom

[Stetson20]

Dumb question. Do shop prices go up in winter? Or getting a project done in winter kinda like finding a short term rental in Florida from Jan-Mar (i.e. very hard to find)? Logic tells me get your upgrades done when weather keeps you from flying anyway...

[kpaul]

4 hours ago, Stetson20 said:

Dumb question. Do shop prices go up in winter? Or getting a project done in winter kinda like finding a short term rental in Florida from Jan-Mar (i.e. very hard to find)? Logic tells me get your upgrades done when weather keeps you from flying anyway...

For some mid-late summer is the time to have work done, when its too hot and regularly stormy.  Most shops will give a written estimate and have their hourly rates available.  Each shop will have their "busy" time of the year however.

[TWinter]

6 hours ago, Stetson20 said:

Dumb question. Do shop prices go up in winter? Or getting a project done in winter kinda like finding a short term rental in Florida from Jan-Mar (i.e. very hard to find)? Logic tells me get your upgrades done when weather keeps you from flying anyway...

My shop is usually slowest July-Aug.. I don't think there is actually pricing differences. I think there is a difference in the deals they may offer and how hungry the shop is for work.  At my shop there are a lot of annuals starting September. You also have the installs from the new stuff people saw at Oshkosh or new products rolling out, usually takes a few months for people to get the ducks (and funds) lined up. Most flying families don't want to be without their planes during summer holidays so guys will wait and put their planes in late summer or fall when vacations are pretty much over. If had to guess I would say the best install deals are mid summer. Just my thinking..then there is the possibility I am total wrong in my thinking process

 

-Tom

[carusoam]

I haven't seen prices change seasonally.  But getting your annual done the week you want may take scheduling in advance...

In NJ, Jan and Feb were good months to skip a week of flying.  But, the hangar floor is pretty cold.

Best regards,

-a-

[TWinter]

Finally got the call today that if all goes well over the few days 41M should be ready to come home next Tuesday  

[gsxrpilot]

Here in Texas I like to have my Annual scheduled for August. It's gotta be the worst month for flying. It's also right after Oshkosh and I'll likely have some new kit that needs to be installed.