G3X Upgrade with EIS or another route.

[201Mooniac]

1 hour ago, Dieselsnplanes said:

Planes at avionics and it’s getting everything installed but the asked me to upgrade the 2nd radio and add a 2 axis GFC500 to the install and I’m curious if it’s worth it for another $8,500. I haven’t flown with an autopilot and have gone from Florida to Vermont and the north east a few times without one. Approaches I’ve flown by hand and I haven’t have thought to add one. Looking for opinions. 

While certainly not a necessity, the GFC-500 is a great autopilot and you will certainly enjoy having it.  You will generally arrive less tired after long flights and it flies approaches on rails.  While only you can decide if it is worth it, I'm very happy with having done mine.

[Dieselsnplanes]

I love hand flying and currently only able to fly about 130hrs a year due to work. Even with that hand flying gives me something to do on long legs. I’m working on my CFI so I want to keep the hand flying sharp and not get too lazy with an autopilot BUT I’d like to get in the clouds and stay there which I feel it would help with stress and fatigue. The option seems like a good deal so I don’t want to pass on it either if I’ll actually use it.

[Ragsf15e]

42 minutes ago, Dieselsnplanes said:

I love hand flying and currently only able to fly about 130hrs a year due to work. Even with that hand flying gives me something to do on long legs. I’m working on my CFI so I want to keep the hand flying sharp and not get too lazy with an autopilot BUT I’d like to get in the clouds and stay there which I feel it would help with stress and fatigue. The option seems like a good deal so I don’t want to pass on it either if I’ll actually use it.

It’s definitely worth having an autopilot, even if you just use it once in a while.  Big safety improvement for high workload times.

[dominikos]

are we talking about the same company? I reached out to AATG, based at few locations, but also Greeley. Their prices are not bad but still quite expensive and far off from the quotes you guys shared. Can anybody PM me the contact person for Greeley avionics? 

Thanks,

[toto]

PM sent 

[Dieselsnplanes]

Yes AATG, I’m in communication with the owner George thanks to the guys on this page, met him at Sun N Fun. Great guy!

[carusoam]

On 7/17/2021 at 3:18 PM, Dieselsnplanes said:

Planes at avionics and it’s getting everything installed but the asked me to upgrade the 2nd radio and add a 2 axis GFC500 to the install and I’m curious if it’s worth it for another $8,500. I haven’t flown with an autopilot and have gone from Florida to Vermont and the north east a few times without one. Approaches I’ve flown by hand and I haven’t have thought to add one. Looking for opinions. 

Diesel,

+1 for AP and flying in IMC…

I flew a decade without an AP… in my M20C…

Couldn’t quantify how tiring it is…

Then, I got the IR and the AP…

No naps required after tough flights….  
 

Hand Flying in less than ideal conditions, constantly scanning instruments and controlling the plane takes a lot of cognitive effort…

It is pretty draining…

But, near impossible to tell until, after you have the same experience with an AP…

The same flight is done quite easily as before, but without the cognitive drain…  or at least less cognitive drain depending on how comfortable you are…

My 1.5hr flight was as draining same trip, 5hr by car…

makes me want to get an AP for the car… 

PP thoughts only, not a cognitive expert…

Best regards,

-a-

 

 

[toto]

4 hours ago, carusoam said:

My 1.5hr flight was as draining same trip, 5hr by car

Same story here. I flew for the first 15 years after getting my IR with no AP, and the biggest downside is fatigue. Even if you’re VMC, you arrive at your destination exhausted. I do think that hand-flying helps encourage good thinking about CRM, and you’re kind of forced to develop efficient workflows. But it can be quite physically demanding. 

[Dieselsnplanes]

I pick it up tomorrow, went with the autopilot, I like the KX155 so I kept it. I’m going to powder coat the depressing yokes when I get it back, just need to find the co pilot yoke emblem if anyone knows where to get them. It’s been a few month process but I plan on doing some test flying over the airport before the hour and half flight back. Price is exactly what I was quoted along the way with no hidden surprises.  

[carusoam]

+1 for no surprise!

-a-

[kris_adams]

Sweet. Panel looks amazing. 

[bmcconnaha]

On 10/4/2021 at 4:40 PM, Dieselsnplanes said:

I pick it up tomorrow, went with the autopilot, I like the KX155 so I kept it. I’m going to powder coat the depressing yokes when I get it back, just need to find the co pilot yoke emblem if anyone knows where to get them. It’s been a few month process but I plan on doing some test flying over the airport before the hour and half flight back. Price is exactly what I was quoted along the way with no hidden surprises.  

Looks great.  How long were you down for?

[Dieselsnplanes]

On 11/4/2021 at 8:13 PM, bmcconnaha said:

Looks great.  How long were you down for?

90ish days, none of this stuff is an easy task so any shop that cranks it out in 2 weeks or says 2 weeks I’d wonder about quality. I had a connector on an EGT gauge fall apart 15hrs after install, no big deal. 
 

Have 36hrs on it so far with 10 IMC and it’s the best money I’ve ever spent on anything other than the plane!!