1 Aspen 1000 PFD MAX with Garmin GI 275 +AP coupled to KFC 200

[Steve Dawson]

I want to clean up my panel and remove the vacuum system by removing the KI275 AI that now controls the KFC 200. I was just told by an avionics tech that he's pretty sure that if I install the GI 275 AI+ AP I would lose all the functions to control my KFC 200 through the Aspen 1000 pro max and would have to use the GI 2715 instead. 
I like that the Aspen has the heading function, GPSS, minimums, altitude and shows the approach features. To be fair, he's only installed one before so isn't completely certain.
Is this right or is there different ways to configure the 275 and leave the functions of the Aspen but have the 275 for some AP functions as well as being able to remove the vacuum?
Thanks

Steve 

[KSMooniac]

Doesn't Aspen's EA-100 work to interface with the KFC 200 and do what you're wanting?

[PeteMc]

I have an Aspen Pro Max w/ EA100 and a KFC200.  Works great.

And KI275???  Maybe KI256?  And you may have to keep it or look at another Aspen 500 or some other AI for backup.  I went with the GI275 as my backup.  In VMC it sits on the Traffic screen and in IMC I leave it on the primary ADI page. 

Edited January 13 by PeteMc

[Steve Dawson]

I have the EA100 but want to get rid of the vacuum system, hence the vacuum driven AI and it's function with the autopilot 

[KSMooniac]

My understanding is that the EA-100 converts the digital attitude outputs from the Aspen to an analog input for the old autopilot computer... I suspect you could have deleted the KI 256 and vacuum system previously, subject to Aspen backup requirements, though.  Originally Aspen required some backup instruments, so a lot of folks just left the vacuum instruments in place.  I believe that has changed with their latest Max version.  If an attitude backup is still required, you could choose something a lot simpler or more cost effective than keeping a KI 256 going.

[PT20J]

16 hours ago, KSMooniac said:

My understanding is that the EA-100 converts the digital attitude outputs from the Aspen to an analog input for the old autopilot computer... I suspect you could have deleted the KI 256 and vacuum system previously, subject to Aspen backup requirements, though.  Originally Aspen required some backup instruments, so a lot of folks just left the vacuum instruments in place.  I believe that has changed with their latest Max version.  If an attitude backup is still required, you could choose something a lot simpler or more cost effective than keeping a KI 256 going.

This^^^^^

I have found Aspen tech support very responsive and knowledgeable.  (Wish Garmin was as good). I might give them a call to confirm. 

[OR75]

the RC Allen 2610 or the UAvionics AV20 or 30 could be a basic / easy to install attitude backup

Edited January 14 by OR75
added an item

[Pinecone]

My plane had Aspen 1000 Pro, EA-100 driving KAP-150.  Setup worked fine.   It had a G-5 for backup.  

No vacuum system at all.

[Steve Dawson]

Thanks gentlemen, I think the one avionics shop may have been misinformed or didn't know. I'm researching this now. 

I do like the GI 275 as an AI  and I have a used EA-100 that I purchased awhile ago. 

Does anyone have an estimate in hours to install the EA-100 and a GI275?