Bendix/King news on AvWeb about KI-300

[gsengle]

What didn’t inspire confidence was this: I follow Kings Facebook page, and they posted a few weeks ago an ad for the KI300. So i immediately commented, first comment, “so does this mean it’s finally certified and shipping? After a day they responded, will have to get back to you on that. lmao


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[MIm20c]

3 hours ago, gsengle said:

After a day they responded, will have to get back to you on that. 

That's because they did not design the unit and have no control over production because it is 100 percent outsourced.  However, being the only one on MS that believes, I’m confident that Sandia will be shipping this winter (keep in mind winter in the UP can extend into June). 

[M016576]

20 hours ago, carqwik said:

When did BK announce this KFC 230 digital a/p?  Looks like a slide in replacement for the KFC 150...of course, it's probably vaporware for now. 

 

http://www.bendixking.com/V4/KFC-230-AeroCruze

I think they have to wait for Garmin or Stec to build it for them (or put a piece of tape with “king” penciled on it over the logo).

[M016576]

I will say this- even though I think it’s about $1500-$2000 more than it should be to really attract the crowd considering G5’s, Aspen’s or even G500’s.... I will probably end up buying one.  Why?  I’ve got a single tube Aspen, I do not have the $3200 autopilot adaptor for it, and the KI-256 that’s driving my KFC-150 sounds like someone threw a handful of gravel in it as it’s spinning down.  It’s days are numbered.

so I either have to buy an EA100 autopilot adaptor from aspen, and another backup AI, and have them installed, or buy this.  

Aspen EA100+ second aspen tube = 7-8K

install for that- $1500.. so in for about 9500.

Or, 6K and I’m good with a Ki-300.

of course, with the second aspen backup, I get more display space and charts/approach plates... and I’d be able to remove and sell all the analog instruments and the vacuum pump- so maybe I recoup 1500-2000.... now it’s looking much more equal in terms of cost but I’m “getting” more for my money with a second Aspen...

oh, and the Aspen is already available 

[gsengle]

That's because they did not design the unit and have no control over production because it is 100 percent outsourced.  However, being the only one on MS that believes, I’m confident that Sandia will be shipping this winter (keep in mind winter in the UP can extend into June). 

You don’t put out ads heralding the unit on social media without knowing the answers already


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[Mark89114]

19 hours ago, M016576 said:

I think they have to wait for Garmin or Stec to build it for them (or put a piece of tape with “king” penciled on it over the logo).

They are having technical issues with tape dispensing, I will buy that.  

[mike_elliott]

19 hours ago, M016576 said:

oh, and the Aspen is already available

There is that....

[PTK]

I spoke with Sandia about 3 weeks ago. At that time the gentleman said they were finalizing the manual for the unit and would be ready to go in about a month. I asked what the next step would be. He said BK needs to finalize the STC with FAA.

I surmise from this timeline given to me by Sandia that at the present time the unit is done and waiting for BK to obtain obtain STC. Shouldn’t be too much longer. 

[mike_elliott]

Yawn.........

[jonhop]

It looks like the KI 300 is now available. The problem is that a KA 310 is needed to communicate with BK autopilots. So the waiting game continues... 

[aviatoreb]

24 minutes ago, jonhop said:

It looks like the KI 300 is now available. The problem is that a KA 310 is needed to communicate with BK autopilots. So the waiting game continues... 

But it is very gratifying to know that I can now buy the KI300 NOW to put it on the shelf in my hangar while I wait another few years for the KA310 to become available.

[jonhop]

1 minute ago, aviatoreb said:

while I wait another few years for the KA310

At least with the $500.00 off if you pre-buy it, storage costs for the KI 300 is covered. 

[aviatoreb]

1 minute ago, jonhop said:

At least with the $500.00 off if you pre-buy it, storage costs for the KI 300 is covered. 

I am so done with BK.  My kfc 200 is coming out when the gfc500 is ready for us.  I’m not throwing any more good money after bad.

[globalpolygraph]

The KA-310 is finally approved.  Anyone else going with the KI-300/KA-310 option to get rid of their KI-256?

[Steve W]

As posted by someone in another thread... Maybe not...

 

 

Edited September 18, 2019 by Steve W

[MIm20c]

13 minutes ago, globalpolygraph said:

The KA-310 is finally approved.  Anyone else going with the KI-300/KA-310 option to get rid of their KI-256?

Another option for an additional $3k is an Aspen E5 w/EA100. IMO the glideope/cdi display on the AI and the blue diamond track indicator on the “hsi” is well worth the price of admission. 

[J0nathan225]

That was me . So far BK is sending me a new unit that they're going to extensively test prior to sending.  I'll swap it out,sending the old one back, which they will test and let me know what the issue was.

Edited September 18, 2019 by J0nathan225

[Steve W]

1 minute ago, MIm20c said:

Another option for an additional $3k is an Aspen E5 w/EA100. IMO the glideope/cdi display on the AI and the blue diamond track indicator on the “hsi” is well worth the price of admission. 

Truthfully you're not going to want to keep the King Analog HSI anyway, so you'd either pair the KI-300 with a G5 or just go with the Aspen.

 

[Speed Brakes]

Waiting on a quote for the KI300/KA310 and if it’s reasonable I plan on the install. The KI256 had electrical issues with the autopilot so using a “loaner” while I wait for another quote. First quote for an Aspen 1000 Max and EA100 install was just shy of 30k and out of the current budget.


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[carusoam]

Welcome aboard SB.

Best regards,

-a-

[PTK]

7 hours ago, Speed Brakes said:

Waiting on a quote for the KI300/KA310 and if it’s reasonable I plan on the install. The KI256 had electrical issues with the autopilot so using a “loaner” while I wait for another quote. First quote for an Aspen 1000 Max and EA100 install was just shy of 30k and out of the current budget.


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Wow! Was that for 1000 max and EA100 only? 

[J0nathan225]

Update. 

Bendix King replaced my unit under warranty. They sent me a brand new unit that they tested extensively before sending it out to me. They also paid the avionics shop for their time swapping it. So far, 1.3 hours on it,  it has not drifted off yet. Great customer service!

Edited October 14, 2019 by J0nathan225

[MIm20c]

Nice work BK, we’re paying attention to this kind of customer service!  

[BarkerBK]

30 minutes ago, J0nathan225 said:

Update. 

Bendix King replaced my unit under warranty. They sent me a brand new unit that they tested extensively before sending it out to me. They also paid the avionics shop for their time swapping it. So far, 1.3 hours on it,  it has not drifted off yet. Great customer service!

Jonathan, 

I'm glad everything went well! Please let me know if you need anything else

[carusoam]

Nice follow-up J0nathan...

Nice follow through PearceBK...

Best regards,

-a-