My visit with Aspen

[N9937c]

After having made several posts in another forum topic " It's back " I thought I would give Aspen Avionics a call monday. I had originally posted that I had been told by a service manager at Aspen that an STC for installation WOULD NOT issued for USED equipment.

This statement from Aspen appears to be in error as a rather lenghty conversation unfolded. I called about the purchase of a used Aspen Pro PFD to install in a certified aircraft. I had checked with the avionics shop I have used for years about the installation and got the OK but would need the  STC from Aspen. Before purchasing the USED unit, The call was made. The replies made in the post attracted the attention of a MooneySpace member who is also a SENIOR member of Aspen management. One of his posts was to direct my call to him.

In the conversation it was learned that my call was routed to a customer service manager on the CONSUMER side and his replies were based on the premise that the STC for install and use of USED equipment COULD NOT be issed to an individual. If the call had been made by an Aspen dealer an entirely different answer probably would have been received. The equipment in question would need to go to Aspen for a check to recertify at a VERY reasonable cost. I was also pleasently surprised to learn Aspen had a policy in place for the overhaul of its units that I found VERY VERY modest. I have resisted the move to a GLASS panel based on some of the service charges that I have seen but I am now again saving my money for an ASPEN system.

It was quite a refreshing change in the world of customer service communication to come away with the sense that I would be dealing with a company that valued my relationship with them. The main concern was that system was safe to use, installed properly and that I would have ALL the required documentation to make full use of their product.

larry

[Skywarrior]

Yet another example of how poorly the Customer Service Call Center function is implemented in American (at least) businesses. Peter seems to be a "good guy", but that doesn't prevent one of his call center employees from giving out wrong info.

It's great that you got a pleasant resolution to your question, but why did it have to be that way in the first place? Why did you have to suffer so much angst, and spend so much energy seeking a better resolution?

Because call center people do not have all of the information they need, and they probably also don't have enough training.

Business owners, please - do it right, or don't even bother.

There... I said it. So there.

 

Chuck M.

 

 

[Parker_Woodruff]

I was sold on eventually getting another G500 on my new plane.  However, with Aspen including GPSS on its units and my new plane having an autopilot, the price difference could be substantial to lead me to get an EFD1000 and maybe an MFD to go along with it.

[KSMooniac]

How about a GTN 750 in lieu of a separate MFD, especially if you need a GPS upgrade anyway?

[DaV8or]

Sounds like the tricky part of buying a used Aspen is, how do you know the unit will be excepted by Aspen as airworthy before you buy?

[Parker_Woodruff]

Scott,

I thought about that as well.  For me, I'd rather have the picture right in front of me if I'm going to mess with that.  That said, the GTN750 is tempting to me if I can get the numbers to make sense on the remote transponder, etc.  I just haven't put pen and paper to that yet to see if it's even worth it.

I never used the map features of the GPS units in the center of the panel.  I'd rather have raw data displayed.  The thing I liked about the G500 MFD was the ability to pull up weather information and airport information right in front of me without manipulating fields across the panel in the GPS unit.

That said, I'm waiting till Oshkosh is over to make any decisions.  Never know what companies will start offering rebates or have new product announcements.

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

I'm going with the Aspen PRO 2000 system when it becomes certified to  allow removal of ALL mechanical gyro instruments.  I will also add a GTN 750 (w/remote transponder and audio panel) I feel this combo gives you the best of both the Aspen and Garmin worlds (redundancy, big screens, touch screen, etc.) My comm 2 will be my already installed GNS 430W and I will also panel mount my 696 for even more backup redundancy. This set up will also allow me to remove the entire vaccum system from my aircraft along with the old guages.  I think this is as good as it will get for a while.

[Parker_Woodruff]

Nick, have you seen a timeframe for the Aspen 2000 package allowing for removal of vacuum instruments?

Aspen seems to have a $2000 discount on the the Aspen 2000 package thru June 30...

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

According to Peter the approval was supposed to be happening in the very near future. In addition they were going to be able to integrate engine management data into the display; however, not sure about if, when, how that's going to happen?

[Magnum]

I think the Aspen will connect to a JPI/EI etc. engine monitor which has a serial data output and will display this data. Maybe they'll develop a extra unit where the probes can be connected in the future.

[Magnum]

Found teh link: http://www.aspenavionics.com/index.php/news/detail/aspen_avionics_announces_more_new_products_for_2010/

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

It would be cool if that Aspen engine option would be able to negate the need for a seperate grasphical engine display in the panel.  Does anyone know if this is going to be the case?  Sort of like a JPI 700/800 series w/o the need for a seperate JPI dedicated display.,,,one could just read the info off of the Aspen unit.

[Toflyordie]

Has anyone had any negative issues with Aspen?  It seems very reasonable for Glass upgrade.

[PTK]

Quote: Toflyordie

Has anyone had any negative issues with Aspen?  It seems very reasonable for Glass upgrade.

[Magnum]

I have the Aspen installed and I am very happy with it. No problems so far. OTOH, my 430W was sent back to Garmin as it looses all satellites from time to time.

[Awful_Charlie]

Quote: Toflyordie

Has anyone had any negative issues with Aspen?  It seems very reasonable for Glass upgrade.

[Cruiser]

Quite a story. You sound like a very competent pilot.

I am a little confused......... were your problems caused by a loss of air pressure from the pitot freezing or was this a problem with the Aspen unit?

[N513ZM]

Quote: Cruiser

Quite a story. You sound like a very competent pilot.

I am a little confused......... were your problems caused by a loss of air pressure from the pitot freezing or was this a problem with the Aspen unit?

[Awful_Charlie]

Quote: Cruiser

I am a little confused......... were your problems caused by a loss of air pressure from the pitot freezing or was this a problem with the Aspen unit?

[Parker_Woodruff]

{posted by Mazerbase}

 

Does anyone have additional info on the JPI link to Aspen.  I went to their website and the information is very limited.  Is there a youtube video or a PDF brochure somewhere?

Ben, I have an Aspen 2000 with XM weather.  It works great, I've had limited problems which were fixed immediately, and I'd do it again.  Some like the screens on the Garmin system better but I prefer the Aspen.

[Parker_Woodruff]

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[Parker_Woodruff]

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[Jeff_S]

Parker, didn't you outfit your J with the G500 system from Garmin? I'm going from memory here, but I think that's right. And if so, why do you now prefer the Aspen?

[David Mazer]

Oaky.  THose last three Parker comments are mine.  Sorry.  I have read about this happeneing to others but I didn't notice it until after it happened.

[Awful_Charlie]

Quote: Mazerbase

Ben, I have an Aspen 2000 with XM weather.  It works great, I've had limited problems which were fixed immediately, and I'd do it again.  Some like the screens on the Garmin system better but I prefer the Aspen.