Robert M. Gary wrote:
After having both a vac pump failure and an AI failure (not on the
same flight ) I decided its really time for a backup.

I had a similar revelation recently, after a challenging IPC at night
and a quiet reflection on a AI that did fail one me, albeit on a nice
day. Did lot of soul searching and decided to postpone a GPS upgrade
in favor of some attitude information backup first.

Dave Butler wrote:

FWIW, I have an electric AI in my Mooney and I wouldn't do it again. It's
expensive, failure prone, and too far out of my scan to be useful as a backup.

Did you have a lot of problems with the electric AI ? I am also
considering one (the dual pumps sound promising, but still don't back
up the gyro...), so I am curious how they hold up (the RCA-26 series
or the non-TSO'd Falcon, the AIM / Midcontinet stuff is just too
expensive). I heard mixed reviews on the RC Allen, some people have
had them for years without any problems and some claim they they don't
hold up as well as quality vacuum gyros.

Re Falcon, I strongly considered the possibility (337 or not), but
with a custom tilt they are over $1100 (Chief), not *that* cheap
considering a brand new RCA goes for $1650 at the discounters (like
Spruce), factory tilt included and less paperwork hassle. Still, $500
is money, so if they are OK, might be worth considering. There seems
to be very little info on them besides the manufacturer,
unfortunately....

Thanks,

Martin