Pireps on Avionics

[Robbie S.]

I am planning to put some avionics in a C182 I bought (Garmin GNS430,
GMA340, 106A etc.). Someone made a remark that if I go to Oshkosh this
year, I could probably get it done quite inexpensively while I am there.

Please let me know if anyone has had any good/bad experience with this ?

....Robbie.

[Mike Rapoport]

Whoever told you this has either never been to OSH or didn,t communicate to
you very well. Exactly who at OSH is supposed to put the new stuff in?

Mike
MU-2


"Robbie S." > wrote in message
...
>I am planning to put some avionics in a C182 I bought (Garmin GNS430,
>GMA340, 106A etc.). Someone made a remark that if I go to Oshkosh this
>year, I could probably get it done quite inexpensively while I am there.
>
> Please let me know if anyone has had any good/bad experience with this ?
>
> ...Robbie.
>
>
>

[Robbie S.]

I haven't a clue.... never been there. That is why I asked.....

Thanks.

....Robbie.

"Mike Rapoport" > wrote in message
nk.net...
> Whoever told you this has either never been to OSH or didn,t communicate
> to you very well. Exactly who at OSH is supposed to put the new stuff in?
>
> Mike
> MU-2
>
>
> "Robbie S." > wrote in message
> ...
>>I am planning to put some avionics in a C182 I bought (Garmin GNS430,
>>GMA340, 106A etc.). Someone made a remark that if I go to Oshkosh this
>>year, I could probably get it done quite inexpensively while I am there.
>>
>> Please let me know if anyone has had any good/bad experience with this ?
>>
>> ...Robbie.
>>
>>
>>
>
>

[Bill J]

They probably meant dealers do have specials, but nobody installs anything.

Robbie S. wrote:
> I am planning to put some avionics in a C182 I bought (Garmin GNS430,
> GMA340, 106A etc.). Someone made a remark that if I go to Oshkosh this
> year, I could probably get it done quite inexpensively while I am there.
>
> Please let me know if anyone has had any good/bad experience with this ?
>
> ...Robbie.
>
>
>

[Jay Honeck]

> They probably meant dealers do have specials, but nobody installs
> anything.

Which, IMHO, is a huge opportunity at OSH.

For example, most large motorcycle rallies (like Americade in New York -- a
rough parallel to OSH for aircraft) offer similar savings on accessories
(they even have GPS, just like we do) -- but, most importantly, they offer
to install the stuff ON THE SPOT.

I've often wondered why some enterprising young avionics tech doesn't take
this to heart, and offer a "mobile installation" option. They could drive
their van out to your plane in the North 40, and install your new toys, for
a fee.

I'll bet they would clean up.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Mike Rapoport]

Oshkosh, er Airventure, is basically you and 700,000 of your closest
personal friends all in the same place to look at airplanes and airplane
stuff. It is a great place to touch and feel your future purchases and to
buy non-panel mount stuff but not to get them installed.

Mike
MU-2


"Robbie S." > wrote in message
...
>I haven't a clue.... never been there. That is why I asked.....
>
> Thanks.
>
> ...Robbie.
>
> "Mike Rapoport" > wrote in message
> nk.net...
>> Whoever told you this has either never been to OSH or didn,t communicate
>> to you very well. Exactly who at OSH is supposed to put the new stuff
>> in?
>>
>> Mike
>> MU-2
>>
>>
>> "Robbie S." > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>I am planning to put some avionics in a C182 I bought (Garmin GNS430,
>>>GMA340, 106A etc.). Someone made a remark that if I go to Oshkosh this
>>>year, I could probably get it done quite inexpensively while I am there.
>>>
>>> Please let me know if anyone has had any good/bad experience with this ?
>>>
>>> ...Robbie.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

[Dave Butler]

Jay Honeck wrote:
> I've often wondered why some enterprising young avionics tech doesn't take
> this to heart, and offer a "mobile installation" option. They could drive
> their van out to your plane in the North 40, and install your new toys, for
> a fee.

I'd be surprised if someone isn't doing just that, but I have to admit that I've
never actually seen it done there.

As a potential buyer of the service, I'd be skeptical of the warranty issues.

Dave

[Jay Honeck]

> As a potential buyer of the service, I'd be skeptical of the warranty
issues.

True enough. To combat this, the service would have to be offered
under the auspices of one of the big avionics houses, like Pacific
Coast Avionics. That way any warranty problems could be addressed.

The service would obviously have to be limited to relatively simple
jobs, like replacing an existing com, or adding back seat jacks to an
existing intercom -- that sort of minor alteration. You obviously
wouldn't want to be adding radar or a GNS-530 while camped out in the
North 40.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[jsmith]

Until EAA got wind of it.
You know as well as I do they would want THEIR cut of any payment for
services.
Then of course there are the other aviation businesses based on the
field that would complain about the gypsy mechanics/techs taking THEIR
business.

>>They probably meant dealers do have specials, but nobody installs
>>anything.

Jay Honeck wrote:
> Which, IMHO, is a huge opportunity at OSH
> For example, most large motorcycle rallies (like Americade in New York -- a
> rough parallel to OSH for aircraft) offer similar savings on accessories
> (they even have GPS, just like we do) -- but, most importantly, they offer
> to install the stuff ON THE SPOT.
> I've often wondered why some enterprising young avionics tech doesn't take
> this to heart, and offer a "mobile installation" option. They could drive
> their van out to your plane in the North 40, and install your new toys, for
> a fee.
> I'll bet they would clean up.

[George Patterson]

Jay Honeck wrote:
>
> I've often wondered why some enterprising young avionics tech doesn't take
> this to heart, and offer a "mobile installation" option. They could drive
> their van out to your plane in the North 40, and install your new toys, for
> a fee.

For one thing, the EAA would almost certainly want a cut, which would increase
the price right there. For another thing, if a tech goes into the field to
install something, the job usually becomes more difficult, and the tech
naturally charges more. There are great benefits to being able to walk into your
storeroom for something or do some of the work at your bench that you can't hope
to obtain working out of a van. Of course, if your "van" is something the size
of a large U-haul, maybe it would work out, but even then, you have gas
expenses.

Logically, equipment installation at Oshkosh would cost you more than getting it
done when you get home, not less.

George Patterson
I prefer Heaven for climate but Hell for company.

[Jay Honeck]

> Logically, equipment installation at Oshkosh would cost you more than
getting it
> done when you get home, not less.

Well, in theory anyway, one could keep the price low because of the
expected volume -- despite the valid problems you mention.

You would think that the avionics tech in question might install more
nav/coms in one week at OSH than they would in 6 months of sitting
around their shop.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[George Patterson]

Jay Honeck wrote:
>
> You would think that the avionics tech in question might install more
> nav/coms in one week at OSH than they would in 6 months of sitting
> around their shop.

Maybe yours sits around -- mine doesn't. He has all the business he can handle.

Come to think of it, I'm not sure I want something installed by a tech who has
to go to Oshkosh to drum up business.

George Patterson
I prefer Heaven for climate but Hell for company.

[Steve Foley]

My local avionics shop had a hell of a time moving his 'certified repair
station' across the field. Took several months. Fortunately, he waited until
everything was in place before he closed up the old shop.

I wouldn't want to try to convince the FAA to certify my u-haul van.

On the other hand, when I went, a friend bought some new gyros. My co-pilot
is an A&P, so installed them on the field. Worked out OK except it had
problems on the test flight. He had to do without until the next planned
stopping point. There were seven planes, and we weren't stopping because his
gyro wasn't working. Didn't need them anyway. We could see across Lake
Michigan from the shoreline.

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:31iYd.54946$Ze3.54106@attbi_s51...
> > They probably meant dealers do have specials, but nobody installs
> > anything.
>
> Which, IMHO, is a huge opportunity at OSH.
>
> For example, most large motorcycle rallies (like Americade in New York --
a
> rough parallel to OSH for aircraft) offer similar savings on accessories
> (they even have GPS, just like we do) -- but, most importantly, they offer
> to install the stuff ON THE SPOT.
>
> I've often wondered why some enterprising young avionics tech doesn't take
> this to heart, and offer a "mobile installation" option. They could drive
> their van out to your plane in the North 40, and install your new toys,
for
> a fee.
>
> I'll bet they would clean up.
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[Jay Honeck]

>> You would think that the avionics tech in question might install more
>> nav/coms in one week at OSH than they would in 6 months of sitting
>> around their shop.
>
> Maybe yours sits around -- mine doesn't. He has all the business he can
> handle.
>
> Come to think of it, I'm not sure I want something installed by a tech who
> has
> to go to Oshkosh to drum up business.

Hmmm...good point. I guess they really do have all the work they need.

Which points out another problem -- *why* is there a shortage of avionics
techs? The two shops near Iowa City are always backed up.

Of course, after spending a few hours under the panel of my (or any) plane,
I'd go running into the night -- so I guess I know the answer...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> On the other hand, when I went, a friend bought some new gyros. My
> co-pilot
> is an A&P, so installed them on the field. Worked out OK except it had
> problems on the test flight. He had to do without until the next planned
> stopping point. There were seven planes, and we weren't stopping because
> his
> gyro wasn't working. Didn't need them anyway. We could see across Lake
> Michigan from the shoreline.

Flying across Lake Michigan makes me shiver.

Flying across without gyros makes me cringe.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[[email protected]]

Robbie S. wrote:
> I am planning to put some avionics in a C182 I bought (Garmin GNS430,

> GMA340, 106A etc.). Someone made a remark that if I go to Oshkosh
this
> year, I could probably get it done quite inexpensively while I am
there.
>
> Please let me know if anyone has had any good/bad experience with
this ?
>
> ...Robbie.

Dear Robbie:

I noticed that you are planning on installing a GARMIN GMA340, I was
wondering if you had considered PS Engineering's audio panels?

Are you planning on installing any type of music input? (Such as a jack
for a portable device or even a panel mounted IFE)

The reason I ask is to get an insight of your decision making process
and to learn how much information you had when selecting the audio
panel.

Thanks for your input, it helps me to see how we are doing as far as
getting the benefits of purchasing our products, as far as the
marketing end of things.

Sincerely,
Mark Scheuer
PS Engineering, Inc.
www.ps-engineering.com

[Robbie S.]

Thank you for the comments. I am still in the eval/planning phase and have
been researching the various options. I have been looking at PMA8000 unit
as well along with the CD player option. In the end, it all comes down to
the most bang for the buck.....

....Robbie.

>
> Dear Robbie:
>
> I noticed that you are planning on installing a GARMIN GMA340, I was
> wondering if you had considered PS Engineering's audio panels?
>
> Are you planning on installing any type of music input? (Such as a jack
> for a portable device or even a panel mounted IFE)
>
> The reason I ask is to get an insight of your decision making process
> and to learn how much information you had when selecting the audio
> panel.
>
> Thanks for your input, it helps me to see how we are doing as far as
> getting the benefits of purchasing our products, as far as the
> marketing end of things.
>
> Sincerely,
> Mark Scheuer
> PS Engineering, Inc.
> www.ps-engineering.com
>

[Dan Luke]

"Jay Honeck" wrote:
> Which points out another problem -- *why* is there a shortage of
> avionics techs? The two shops near Iowa City are always backed up.

An avionics shop that is not "backed up" at least 2-4 weeks has a
serious backlog problem and needs to lay people off.

In that kind of business there are only two backlog situations: too much
and not enough. Not enough is a disaster; a well run shop always has
too much. By that I mean it is never in danger of having to lay off
employees due to a couple of cancellations. Layoffs are hell on a
highly trained staff; costly and damaging to morale. The worst thing a
shop installation manager can see is the light at the end of the backlog
tunnel.
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM

[Steve Foley]

Like I said, we could see the other shore the whole time we were over water.
There were five of us flying together, so someone was always checking on us.

What scared me was seeing the Piper Cub half way across at about 1000'. We
were at 10500.


"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:_BCYd.121083$tl3.58557@attbi_s02...

>
> Flying across Lake Michigan makes me shiver.
>
> Flying across without gyros makes me cringe.

[jsmith]

I just saw an ad in Plane & Pilot that Ireceive Friday for the new
PS8000 that includes a Serius radio player.

Robbie S. wrote:
> Thank you for the comments. I am still in the eval/planning phase and have
> been researching the various options. I have been looking at PMA8000 unit
> as well along with the CD player option. In the end, it all comes down to
> the most bang for the buck.....