Aspen Pro Plus

[gsengle]

Keep in mind the g500 43e adapter with unlock code is 5-6 amu and the svt is another 5 amu upgrade...I've always looked at the g500 as being twice the price as a single Aspen by the time you dump the 256.

My issue is an Ovation is at least a 200k airplane in good shape, and the Aspen has more of a retrofit feel. I'd put an Aspen in a J for instance, but feel that a R should get the more expensive and complete solution... Just me - very picky about every little detail on my panel...


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[gsxrpilot]

1 minute ago, gsengle said:

My issue is an Ovation is at least a 200k airplane in good shape, and the Aspen has more of a retrofit feel. I'd put an Aspen in a J for instance, but feel that a R should get the more expensive and complete solution... Just me - very picky about every little detail on my panel...

 

I really like the G500, but it was quite a bit more than I was willing to spend. Also I'm flying a 120K airplane.

I believe the look of the Aspen in the panel can be improved by flush mounting it. We'll see when I get mine back.

[gsengle]

Cost is why I'm not doing anything for now!


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[Godfather]

Just now, gsengle said:

My issue is an Ovation is at least a 200k airplane in good shape, and the Aspen has more of a retrofit feel. I'd put an Aspen in a J for instance, but feel that a R should get the more expensive and complete solution... Just me - very picky about every little detail on my panel...
 

 

Totally agree but also feel the exact same way about the 440 and 540...the g500 and at least one 750 is the minimum for this level of aircraft  

In the end the buyer will demand a 310 hp ovation with active traffic, dual gps, excellent maintenance, and the latest in PFD's (imo nothing available at this time will be high end in 10 years...the technology is already a decade old). 

[Godfather]

Just now, Hyett6420 said:

Oh poo I got all excited there for a moment.   

I personally think the install that keeps the altitude preselect is the way to go. Does the 150 have attitude (pitch) hold?  That method works great for me. 

[gsxrpilot]

If you have the KFC 150 autopilot, the best option for Altitude is the KAS-297. It's not a cheap unit and requires the encoding Altimeter to go with it. But it will allow you to set vertical speed AND target altitude. It will climb or descend at the rate you specify and then level off at the pre-selected altitude. I'm installing an Aspen, but will keep the Altimeter and KAS-297. I've really come to appreciate it's capability.

[Marauder]

I really like the G500, but it was quite a bit more than I was willing to spend. Also I'm flying a 120K airplane.
I believe the look of the Aspen in the panel can be improved by flush mounting it. We'll see when I get mine back.

The race is on to post the final panel pictures.


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[gsxrpilot]

1 minute ago, Marauder said:

The race is on to post the final panel pictures.

 

I'm very grumpy and unhappy about the progress on mine at the moment.

[Marauder]

I'm very grumpy and unhappy about the progress on mine at the moment.

 

I hear ya. I flew mine over on March 20th. It's been 45 days, 3 hours, 48 minutes and 14, 15, 16... seconds - but who is counting? My conciliation is that I know they are doing a great job of addressing issues and doing a quality job. I think like all avionics shops they are trying to balance upgrades/installs with their repair business. It shouldn't take this long but if you have techs coming off for half a day to do some troubleshooting, I can see how they get protracted.

 

 

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[Godfather]

1 hour ago, gsxrpilot said:

I'm very grumpy and unhappy about the progress on mine at the moment.

I think you need a backup plane...

[Marauder]

I'm very grumpy and unhappy about the progress on mine at the moment.

I might be passing you. Panels painted, switches going in.


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[gsxrpilot]

[gsxrpilot]

@"Chocks" does really good work!

[Rmag]

14 hours ago, PTK said:

An observation on the term "altitude preselect." It is not a generic term and there are very critical differences.

The Aspen altitude pre-select with KFC200 AP is via the APS4A which is 3rd party box they sell that will capture the selected altitude. It is only a "dumb" button pusher in the sense that it's totally oblivious of vertical speed and does no calculations to anticipate. It does nothing more than hit the ALT key for you after you reach the preset altitude. If left on its own it overshoots before returning to level capture. It chimes to remind the pilot to watch for preset altitude. Since it requires pilot intervention to prevent overshoots I don't see how it's useful in reducing pilot workload if you will. You can push the alt button yourself a lot better with no overshoots. It should really be called "altitude preset" or "altitude reminder" and not "alt preselect."

This in contrast with the KFC200/GAD43E which has true altitude preselect and vertical speed selection. It calculates and adjusts vertical speed leveling off at the preselect altitude with precision and no overshoots.

The KFC200/GAD43E does have altitude preselect but it does not have a vertical speed comtrol.  You have to manually control the vertical speed with the rocker switch.

16 hours ago, Hyett6420 said:

Hi.  I know you might not know the answer to this, but will the altitude pre select work woth. Kfc150 rather than a 200. Not quite sure of the difference between the two autos tbh.

 

12 hours ago, gsxrpilot said:

No, it will not.  I have the KFC 150 and looked into this in detail.

 

12 hours ago, gsengle said:

Do you know if the Garmin G500 offers a better solution in this regard?

 

 

11 hours ago, gsxrpilot said:

I believe they do... but I haven't done as much research as I wasn't going to go G500.

The KFC150/GAD43E has both altitude preselect and vertical speed control.  The interface is quite nice.  It works similar to the G500 GPSS mode with the KFC150.  You put the KFC150 in HDG mode and then you can toggle between the heading bug or GPSS by holding down the G500 HDG button.  Likewise, for altitude preselect you dial your altitutude and then you hold the G500 ALT button to arm or disarm the altitude preselect.  Same with vertical speed. You set the vertical speed and hold the G500 V/S button to arm or disarm the vertical speed control.  The V/S feature the KFC200 does not have.  The Vertical Speed Controller only works with KAP/KFC 150; KFC 275/325; S-TEC 55X, 60-2 65, PSS autopilots.