ISO GFC-500>>

[Teddsgotwings]

The time has come to swap out my Century IIB - post total servo failure

I'm about to pull the trigger on a GFC 500 install from a shop here in SoCal but wanted to make a post on MooneySpace to see if any of you had a line on a better deal. Parts quoted are about $14,000 + $10,000 (ish) in labor. 

Currently have dual GI-275s, gnx375, GNC 255, GMA 350c.... One shop said they can get me in house in 4-6 weeks. Awaiting their quote now. 

Any insight is always appreciated! 

 

1XQ

Edited September 6, 2024 by Teddsgotwings

[bigmo]

Your price doesn’t seem bad. I was weighing a few options and talked to Lafayette (arguably the busiest and lowest priced option nationwide). They were $19k w/o pitch trim and $22k w/ pitch trim all in. But they were backed up until July 2025.

I know it’s a seller’s market on avionics labor - but even at $100 an hour, I can’t see 100 hours in labor. I did cold call a few small shops and did find a couple that said it’s more like a 50-60 hour job - and that seems believable.

i got frustrated and bought a new plane…

[ArtVandelay]

You don’t say whether you are going with the yaw damper or auto trim.

It’s difficult to judge others quotes, a lot has changed in the past few years.

[201Mooniac]

I did mine several years ago and my cost was about $10K for a 4 servo configuration and 85 hours of labor including removing an S-Tec 55x.

[Teddsgotwings]

On 9/6/2024 at 4:13 PM, ArtVandelay said:

You don’t say whether you are going with the yaw damper or auto trim.

It’s difficult to judge others quotes, a lot has changed in the past few years.

The quote I have says "Install GFC 500 w/Pitch, Roll and Pitch Trim Servos. Integrate with existing GI275"

 

I dont see a yaw damper listed. 

[PT20J]

Labor rates vary. Experience varies. My best advice is to get quotes from 3 shops you would be willing to do business with. Also, there are shortcuts some shops use to reduce the labor like reusing the B-K mounting brackets (not applicable in your case, but may make comparison with others unequal) and not removing old wiring. 

[Teddsgotwings]

1 minute ago, PT20J said:

Labor rates vary. Experience varies. My best advice is to get quotes from 3 shops you would be willing to do business with. Also, there are shortcuts some shops use to reduce the labor like reusing the B-K mounting brackets (not applicable in your case, but may make comparison with others unequal) and not removing old wiring. 

When I did my initial round of avionics, it was discovered that a family of mice had made the backside of the panel their home. They subsequently ended up gnawing through the plastic coating on most of the wires back there. With that discovery, we had to replace basically all of the wiring in the plane. All the new wiring should be pretty easy to work with I'd imagine. We'll find out... 

I have indeed put out feelers to 3 shops and should be getting quotes this week. Seems like It'll come down to price and scheduling availability. I'd be willing to spend a little more and "cut the queue" if possible. 

[Marc_B]

I had my panel work done at Advanced AeroTech at GXY in Colorado. They have several locations (CO, FL, SD, AK) but would involve travel for you it sounds like. Competitive pricing and they did a great job.  You can also reach out to Sarasota Avionics for a quote. 
If you have a great shop locally (which I did) I gave preference to that. It’s nice to develop a relationship with a shop that can help you with related and unrelated issues in the future. A paid hefty avionics bill goes a long way to you popping in seen favorably rather than just another hassle to work in!

[Schllc]

One mistake I won’t make again, is to accept a quote and verbal timeline. 
My “3-4” month job took 15 months with no real explanation. 
Once it’s in pieces on the shop floor there isn’t much you can do.  
 

[ArtVandelay]

The quote I have says "Install GFC 500 w/Pitch, Roll and Pitch Trim Servos. Integrate with existing GI275"
 
I dont see a yaw damper listed. 

Here’s a estimate breakdown you can use as a comparison;

https://avionics-laf.com/products/garmin-gfc500-autopilot-installed

[dzeleski]

I did my install in two steps because my Vacuum AI failed so I decided to go to a G5 before doing the rest of the install. Prices are as follows:

In 2020: $7,580

• AI removed
• G5 installed
• EDM-730 fuel flow installed
• interface with IFD-440
• Replaced GA56 with GA45 antenna
• fixed pitot/static leaks
• IFR cert

In 2021: Quoted at $23,250 Actual cost $32,725

• G5 HSI/GAD29B/GMU-11 $7,000
• GAD-13/GTP-59 $1,250
• GFC-500 with Trim and Yaw $23,250
• Vac system removed
• Traded in stec-30 ($2,000 credit)
• During install some issues popped up, alt encoder was installed horrifically and needed to be replaced $500, oil temp gauge was bad I found a replacement and they swapped it $250, standby vac was removed; new intake pipe on #4 was needed $800, Trim system was in poor mechanical condition required disassembly/cleaning/re greasing $1,000, IFD440 update $125, IFR cert $425, glareshield required some work $125.

Total cost was $40,303. Does not include the IFD440, EDM-730, or the PS Engineering PMA450B all of these were done using trade ins and installed by me. Please note I live in one of the most expensive areas in the country and the shop rate was $125/hr at the time. There was exactly one issue after install and that was that the V speeds were programed in kts and not MPH, this required conversions from MPH into kts and then added, this displayed itself as ESP early engagement or late engagement depending on where you were in the envelope.

Hope that helps.

Edited September 10, 2024 by dzeleski

[ArtVandelay]

One mistake I won’t make again, is to accept a quote and verbal timeline. 
My “3-4” month job took 15 months with no real explanation. 
Once it’s in pieces on the shop floor there isn’t much you can do.  
 

Look for avionics shops with small hangars and can’t have planes sitting around. ;-)

[Teddsgotwings]

Pulled the trigger with an installer in Redlands, CA. Timeline to get started is 4-6 weeks. Appx 21 AMU's for parts and labor. Ordered the GFC-500 today. Hoping to have it by end of October or Early November. Would like to be able to put it to use on a coast to coast flight from LA to Boston for turkey day. 

 

Thanks for all the feedback here.