Making a VFR C152 IFR

Nathan Young wrote:
On Fri, 26 Mar 2004 02:12:50 GMT, Paul Folbrecht
wrote:


Ok, here's what I'm thinking now. Critisism of this setup not
discouraged!

- 300XL installed *VFR only*.
- PSE 6000 Audio panel with marker beacons.
- KX-155 nav/com - there's one on Ebay right now I may pick up.
- KX 209 Indicator.

Local shop tells me no more than $3500 or so for this install, including
antenna for 2nd com. Does that sound right? I'd be ditching the 385
nav/com that's in there now, of course.

Full cost of this setup assuming used KX-155 and 209 and new audio panel
should be $9-$10K. While this is definitely more money than I wanted to
spend or figured I'd have to spend, I think it may be worth it. I
actually ran a price quote on my plane (aeroprice) with this equipment
installed and was pleased to see the value go up by 80% or so of what
I'd be putting into it. I plan to keep the plane for probably 4-5 years
(until I build my RV-9).


Paul,

I see little value add by installing the 300XL VFR only. Did you get
a quote to see how much more an IFR install would be?

Sure, get the quote, but I predict the IFR install is going to push the cost up
to where the avionics cost will start to be asignificant fraction of the value
of the airframe. Much of the cost of an IFR GPS is in the installation and
certification. For the intended use, the value/cost ratio won't be there.
Consider also the cost of datbase updates to keep it certified.

About the other poster who said you'll get more utility with a handheld GPS: I'd
say there's value in having it in the panel instead. I dislike having wires
strung all over the cockpit for antennas and power connections, etc.

Dave
Remove SHIRT to reply directly.

"Dave Butler" wrote in message
...

I see little value add by installing the 300XL VFR only. Did you get
a quote to see how much more an IFR install would be?

Even an IFR GPS would provide minimal functional improvement over a Garmin
295 unless he plans to fly under IMC into airports with only GPS approaches.

If he is in radar contact, he can do direct with a Garmin 295.

If he is not in radar contact, he cannot go direct even with an IFR GPS.

What is the advantage of an IFR GPS in this situation?

About the other poster who said you'll get more utility with a handheld
GPS: I'd
say there's value in having it in the panel instead. I dislike having
wires
strung all over the cockpit for antennas and power connections, etc.

Replace the batteries and then there is no power connection necessary.

My Garmin 295 works fine in my airplane with its internal antenna.

The value of a battery backup for IFR flight is priceless.


--
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com

Richard Kaplan wrote:
"Dave Butler" wrote in message
...

say there's value in having it in the panel instead. I dislike having

wires

strung all over the cockpit for antennas and power connections, etc.


Replace the batteries and then there is no power connection necessary.

My Garmin 295 works fine in my airplane with its internal antenna.

The value of a battery backup for IFR flight is priceless.

Good point, Richard.

I agree having battery powered navigation is valuable. I've been running a power
cord for the 196 to avoid replacing batteries all the time, but now that you
mention it, maybe I'd rather replace batteries than have the power cord. I'll
try that next time. At least I can get rid of the most annoying cord.

The internal antenna on my 196 doesn't work worth a flip when mounted on the
yoke in the Mooney, though.

Dave
Remove SHIRT to reply directly.

"Dave Butler" wrote in message
...

The internal antenna on my 196 doesn't work worth a flip when mounted on
the
yoke in the Mooney, though.

OK, to be fair, I put my 295 on my glareshield where it gets great
reception. The tradeoff is slight obstruction of vision on the glareshield
(and good reception from the internal antenna) vs. extra weight on a yoke
(which gets me a bit concerned whether it is designed to handle that
weight over time).


--
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com

That's why I like the Pilot-III. I have it mounted on my glareshield above the
radio stack in the horizontal display orientation. The only thing it blocks is
the view of the top of my cowl, so it is as close to ideal set up as you can
get without having it panel mounted. The others I have looked at are quite a
bit bigger, so they block something regardless of where they are mounted.

Richard Kaplan wrote:

"Dave Butler" wrote in message
...

The internal antenna on my 196 doesn't work worth a flip when mounted on
the
yoke in the Mooney, though.

OK, to be fair, I put my 295 on my glareshield where it gets great
reception. The tradeoff is slight obstruction of vision on the glareshield
(and good reception from the internal antenna) vs. extra weight on a yoke
(which gets me a bit concerned whether it is designed to handle that
weight over time).

--
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com

--
--Ray Andraka, P.E.
President, the Andraka Consulting Group, Inc.
401/884-7930 Fax 401/884-7950
email
http://www.andraka.com

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