Removing G1000 from a Da40?
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2019 12:13 pm
Call me crazy, but here is the thinking.
> I have 1'000 hours behind a G1000 with GFC 700 and I believe that this combo is inadequate for the DA40, especially so if the DA40 is used primarily in VFR.
My thesis is that its capability is not exercised enough to make up for the poor user interface and related learning curve and the massive upgradability issues and costs that have developed over the years.
As they say in England: "they have you on a barrel". Between Garmin and DAI, pick who's gonna let you down or **** you...
> There are a few DA40s with non WAAS non ADSB G1000s for sale.
Just bringing their avionics back to an OK level is a 50 AMU job - IF you find the WAAS capable G1000 stuff.
Idea: keep the airframe, ditch the G1000!
> Buy a non WAAS G1000-equipped DA40, strip the avionics out and sell the parts as spares.
> Design a new panel around:
- 1 x GTN 750
- 1 x NAVCOM (no GPS)
- 2 x G5
- 1 GTX345 transponder with bluetooth (iPad interface)
- Remote audio mixer
- A simple engine monitor
- Whatever autopilot upgrade can be approved.
AAAAND... a panel mounted iPad, which when connected to the certified GPS, acts as a very inexpensive MFD, displaying landing charts, SynVis and the like with a superior user interface.
That same iPad can be used to file FPs online from the aircraft, update weather data in the climb phase of the flight using an integrated 4G card.
With a small outlay it can also have all sorts of traffic sensing added.
What do you think about this?
When we redid my Extra 400's panel, the IA used the STC of the various avionics to sign off the project.
In the case of the DA40, I believe the G1000 install is an STC and I suppose the basic type certificate would be a suitable foundation for the "steam gauge starting point", and the respective STCs can be applied on top.
It may need a form 337 for the physical panel itself, but providing the engineering data for that should not be an issue.
The end result would be
- a WAAS/ADS-B in-out equipped plane (that is WITH Traffic info!)
- A fixed CG range and improved useful load (avionics rack in the tail gone)
- Great ergonomics
- Fantastic flexibility and upgradability
- Much lower foreseeable maintenance costs
- 2 years warranty on all avionics
At a price not much higher than the WAAS/ADSB job on the G1000.
I am dead serious about this. My GF wants to get her PPL and I am looking at buying a DA40 again
Comments and suggestions are very eagerly awaited! Thank you
> I have 1'000 hours behind a G1000 with GFC 700 and I believe that this combo is inadequate for the DA40, especially so if the DA40 is used primarily in VFR.
My thesis is that its capability is not exercised enough to make up for the poor user interface and related learning curve and the massive upgradability issues and costs that have developed over the years.
As they say in England: "they have you on a barrel". Between Garmin and DAI, pick who's gonna let you down or **** you...
> There are a few DA40s with non WAAS non ADSB G1000s for sale.
Just bringing their avionics back to an OK level is a 50 AMU job - IF you find the WAAS capable G1000 stuff.
Idea: keep the airframe, ditch the G1000!
> Buy a non WAAS G1000-equipped DA40, strip the avionics out and sell the parts as spares.
> Design a new panel around:
- 1 x GTN 750
- 1 x NAVCOM (no GPS)
- 2 x G5
- 1 GTX345 transponder with bluetooth (iPad interface)
- Remote audio mixer
- A simple engine monitor
- Whatever autopilot upgrade can be approved.
AAAAND... a panel mounted iPad, which when connected to the certified GPS, acts as a very inexpensive MFD, displaying landing charts, SynVis and the like with a superior user interface.
That same iPad can be used to file FPs online from the aircraft, update weather data in the climb phase of the flight using an integrated 4G card.
With a small outlay it can also have all sorts of traffic sensing added.
What do you think about this?
When we redid my Extra 400's panel, the IA used the STC of the various avionics to sign off the project.
In the case of the DA40, I believe the G1000 install is an STC and I suppose the basic type certificate would be a suitable foundation for the "steam gauge starting point", and the respective STCs can be applied on top.
It may need a form 337 for the physical panel itself, but providing the engineering data for that should not be an issue.
The end result would be
- a WAAS/ADS-B in-out equipped plane (that is WITH Traffic info!)
- A fixed CG range and improved useful load (avionics rack in the tail gone)
- Great ergonomics
- Fantastic flexibility and upgradability
- Much lower foreseeable maintenance costs
- 2 years warranty on all avionics
At a price not much higher than the WAAS/ADSB job on the G1000.
I am dead serious about this. My GF wants to get her PPL and I am looking at buying a DA40 again
Comments and suggestions are very eagerly awaited! Thank you