DavidB Posted April 3, 2018 Report Share Posted April 3, 2018 Hello everyone. I'm looking at an '06 Bravo GX which seems to suit my mission. There is one thing puzzling me though. While performing a Vref on the AOPA website, I noticed that the series of '06 model serial numbers are: 326 328-342 344-352 This rather inconveniently leaves out the serial number of the plane that I'm interested in (343). Does anyone have any idea why this would be the case? I certainly don't want to get a frankenstein. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSMooniac Posted April 3, 2018 Report Share Posted April 3, 2018 I don't claim to have specific knowledge of the break in serial numbers, but I'll speculate. My guess is it would be due to some configuration change that was being worked out in the midst of normal production... An example might be the change from STEC 55X autopilots to the GFC700. I'm not sure the Bravo got that autopilot, but I'm sure someone else here will know. Could be a different propeller as well. VREF might not have the specific info regarding what might differ to populate their tool, so they leave it out.As a work around, I'd work up VREF for examples on either side of the break and see if there is a difference. Pay attention to available options.Sent from my LG-US996 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSMooniac Posted April 3, 2018 Report Share Posted April 3, 2018 I looked at the Mooney Type Certificate and don't see any break in the serial number range at 343, so I suspect there is something awry with the VREF database.Beautiful plane!Sent from my LG-US996 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB Posted April 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2018 Thanks for that. It has the right numbers on the log books so I'm going to go with your theory that the Vref site has dropped a couple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypertech Posted April 3, 2018 Report Share Posted April 3, 2018 I wonder if it has something to do with it being exported? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LANCECASPER Posted April 4, 2018 Report Share Posted April 4, 2018 8 hours ago, DavidB said: Hello everyone. I'm looking at an '06 Bravo GX which seems to suit my mission. There is one thing puzzling me though. While performing a Vref on the AOPA website, I noticed that the series of '06 model serial numbers are: 326 328-342 344-352 This rather inconveniently leaves out the serial number of the plane that I'm interested in (343). Does anyone have any idea why this would be the case? I certainly don't want to get a frankenstein. There were only 20 Bravo GX's made, serial numbers 27-0331 to 27-0350. They started down the assembly line in mid 2004, but the G1000 didn't get FAA approval until November 2004 so they were sold as 2005 models. Since the one you are looking at was exported to Canada (C-FHEO Tail number) that may explain why it was out of sync sequentially and maybe not registered until 2006. One thing to consider with the GX Bravos is that none of them came from the factory with the Garmin GFC700 autopilot since that wasn't approved until late 2007. I think only one Bravo GX owner ever went back later and changed out their STEC 55 to the GFC 700, for around $60,000 if I remember correctly, but that may have included WAAS. If the one you are looking at doesn't have WAAS it will be over $20,000 to do that. There may be a possibility of upgrading the STEC 55 autopilot to the new 3100 when it's approved for $10,000 plus installation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danb Posted April 4, 2018 Report Share Posted April 4, 2018 Dave mine is 326 I thought the missing numbers were used for testing avionics etc, but I may have been misled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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