diamondaviators.net

Had my WAAS upgrade done this week at Premier in Ft. Lauderdale (KFXE).
The price was what Diamond quoted for all equipment required plus approximately 12 hours labor.
Every thing appears to be working well. FIS-B Wx is displayed on the MFD.
As expected, the KAP-140 tracks the lateral course well but does not provide VNAV guidance.
My display screens will be replaced soon since they have deteriorated.

TomO wrote: ↑Sun Jan 24, 2021 3:35 am My display screens will be replaced soon since they have deteriorated.

Are you replacing with G1000, or is there an opportunity to move to NXi?

What cost have you been quoted for the upgrade?

Russ
I did the upgrade from the non WAAS G1000(2005 DA-40) to the WAAS G1000 version by replacing the GIA63’s with GIA63W’s per the Diamond upgrade offer. Their quote was $13,000 for the units and “conversion kit”. Labor was per the service center.

There probably is an upgrade to NXi but it would be a little pricey for me as would the conversion to the GFC700 autopilot.

"the KAP-140 tracks the lateral course well but does not provide VNAV guidance"

Interesting. I thought the KAP-140 with the G1000 WOULD track vertical path of a RNAV approach.

That's very disappointing.

Strange - it does work on my 2006 da42 :

This is likely a misunderstanding about what "vertical navigation" means. The GIA63W + KAP140 follows the approach WAAS vertical navigation glidepath (on an LPV approach for example).

What this combination does not support is pre-approach/enroute vertical path navigation (VPTH). This requires the GIA63W + GFC700 combination (which has the VNV button).

The only Legacy-NXI upgrade Diamond supports is a complete avionics overhaul that upgrades the airplane to essentially what is installed in new production aircraft. And yes, it's expensive, especially if you do not have a GFC700 already installed! There is no GDU-only upgrade STC as can be found for Cessnas, for example. The "NXI upgrade program" this topic intended to address is the NXI Phase 1-Phase 2 upgrade that frees up GIA63Ws for Legacy WAAS upgrades.

Paul
Thanks for the explanation of VNAV. I also misunderstood what it meant.

I have not had much opportunity to truly test the autopilot and LPV approaches after the installation. When tried one or two times, the autopilot did not couple to the glide slope so I assumed the KAP-140 did not follow the GS. Not sure what I did wrong. So the jury is still out.

More excuses to go flying!

TomO wrote: ↑Mon Jan 25, 2021 4:58 am When tried one or two times, the autopilot did not couple to the glide slope so I assumed the KAP-140 did not follow the GS.

What would be the point of upgrading to WAAS if not the ability to fly coupled LPV approaches?

ememic99 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 25, 2021 7:43 am

TomO wrote: ↑Mon Jan 25, 2021 4:58 am When tried one or two times, the autopilot did not couple to the glide slope so I assumed the KAP-140 did not follow the GS.

What would be the point of upgrading to WAAS if not the ability to fly coupled LPV approaches?

Too fly them by hand.

Tim

TimS wrote: ↑Mon Jan 25, 2021 2:00 pm

ememic99 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 25, 2021 7:43 am

TomO wrote: ↑Mon Jan 25, 2021 4:58 am When tried one or two times, the autopilot did not couple to the glide slope so I assumed the KAP-140 did not follow the GS.

What would be the point of upgrading to WAAS if not the ability to fly coupled LPV approaches?

Too fly them by hand.

Tim

Nice one I’ve hand flown ILS approaches to minima several times in real IMC and OVC002 and I must admit it’s not easy. I guess LPV is the same with usually bit higher minima so psychologically it should be easier