by Antoine » Wed Jun 13, 2018 3:47 pm
After "downgrading" from a fully integrated G1000 to my new panel which has a G500, GTN750, integrated iPad ADSB in/out, etc... I fully support several people's idea expressed above that - if you are in the market for a DA40 - it is very viable and even smart to start with an (inexpensive and lightweight) older DA40, upgrade it to your liking and enjoy the extra useful load. Just make sure to spare a couple thousand for a cosmetic refurb (some shops literally do wonders) and possibly a new interior and you'll have all of the joy of a new plane.
How good is a panel that is built from bits and pieces?
Well how about Synthetic Vision for free on your iPad, IFR charts and many whistles and bells for a couple hundred $ a year, Flight plans entered and edited graphically on the iPad... weather data streaming to your iPad until after take-off. I am convinced that iPads are the avionics breakthrough for small SEPs.
Today I would probably go with a Garmin G5 (or two), GTN750, GTX345 transponder, iPad and push as much as possible of the whistles and bells on the iPad.
I used to be a big fan of the GFC700 - meanwhile I believe that a KAP140 is good enough on a SEP (heck I am now married to a STEC55X, so even the 140 looks sexy)!
One thing you want to be careful about. Don't patch your panel. Redesign it from scratch within certification limits. and make room for an iPad within your reach and angle of vision. THIS is the future...
After "downgrading" from a fully integrated G1000 to my new panel which has a G500, GTN750, integrated iPad ADSB in/out, etc... I fully support several people's idea expressed above that - if you are in the market for a DA40 - it is very viable and even smart to start with an (inexpensive and lightweight) older DA40, upgrade it to your liking and enjoy the extra useful load. Just make sure to spare a couple thousand for a cosmetic refurb (some shops literally do wonders) and possibly a new interior and you'll have all of the joy of a new plane.
How good is a panel that is built from bits and pieces?
Well how about Synthetic Vision for free on your iPad, IFR charts and many whistles and bells for a couple hundred $ a year, Flight plans entered and edited graphically on the iPad... weather data streaming to your iPad until after take-off. I am convinced that iPads are the avionics breakthrough for small SEPs.
Today I would probably go with a Garmin G5 (or two), GTN750, GTX345 transponder, iPad and push as much as possible of the whistles and bells on the iPad.
I used to be a big fan of the GFC700 - meanwhile I believe that a KAP140 is good enough on a SEP (heck I am now married to a STEC55X, so even the 140 looks sexy)!
One thing you want to be careful about. Don't patch your panel. Redesign it from scratch within certification limits. and make room for an iPad within your reach and angle of vision. THIS is the future...