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I just got the GFC700 upgrade installed in my DA42. Diamond Quoted 350 hrs for the job. It took them longer.
There is a lot more to changing the autopilot than we imagine. Not a simple upgrade.
I have no regrets, no comparison to the KAP140
I believe that the resale value increased as much as I invested in the upgrade.

TJS wrote: ↑Sun Apr 19, 2020 12:43 am I just got the GFC700 upgrade installed in my DA42. Diamond Quoted 350 hrs for the job. It took them longer.
There is a lot more to changing the autopilot than we imagine. Not a simple upgrade.
I have no regrets, no comparison to the KAP140
I believe that the resale value increased as much as I invested in the upgrade.

Did you get other quotes? Was the factory quote the most competitive? If you didn't get other quotes, why not?

What did the invoice look like? Parts? Labor? Other?

TJS wrote: ↑Sun Apr 19, 2020 12:43 am I just got the GFC700 upgrade installed in my DA42. Diamond Quoted 350 hrs for the job. It took them longer.
There is a lot more to changing the autopilot than we imagine. Not a simple upgrade.
I have no regrets, no comparison to the KAP140
I believe that the resale value increased as much as I invested in the upgrade.

Thanks for the feedback and congrats on the upgrade !
Could further explain what was changed beside
the autopilot ? Do you have pictures of the modifications ? What makes it so complex and time consuming ?
Thank you!

Boatguy wrote: ↑Sun Apr 19, 2020 4:14 am

TJS wrote: ↑Sun Apr 19, 2020 12:43 am I just got the GFC700 upgrade installed in my DA42. Diamond Quoted 350 hrs for the job. It took them longer.
There is a lot more to changing the autopilot than we imagine. Not a simple upgrade.
I have no regrets, no comparison to the KAP140
I believe that the resale value increased as much as I invested in the upgrade.

Did you get other quotes? Was the factory quote the most competitive? If you didn't get other quotes, why not?

What did the invoice look like? Parts? Labor? Other?

There is no one else that is allowed to do the upgrade, only Diamond Factory. After seeing what is involved I know why. To get something like this done it needs to be documented and approved by the regulators and bureaucracy. This is a huge task in itself.
Before the work began we sat down and discussed all the work that was required in addition to the autopilot. ie, ADSB, tablet mounts, USB ports etc.
A quote was drawn up, 11 pages including a detailed parts list and labour required.
The invoice was as quoted with a few additional, approved extras.
The ADSB was quoted at a higher price that other quotes that I had. It was going to be in there for the autopilot, i wasn't going to send it away somewhere else for the ADSB. Besides everyone looks at the factory work as being more favorable in the logbook.
Overall good experience and good value.
I love my DA42 especially with the new autopilot.
cheers
Tim

salim wrote: ↑Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:07 am

TJS wrote: ↑Sun Apr 19, 2020 12:43 am I just got the GFC700 upgrade installed in my DA42. Diamond Quoted 350 hrs for the job. It took them longer.
There is a lot more to changing the autopilot than we imagine. Not a simple upgrade.
I have no regrets, no comparison to the KAP140
I believe that the resale value increased as much as I invested in the upgrade.

Thanks for the feedback and congrats on the upgrade !
Could further explain what was changed beside
the autopilot ? Do you have pictures of the modifications ? What makes it so complex and time consuming ?
Thank you!

Hi Salem
I think the biggest challenge with the installation is the HIRF box required(see photo)
The old avionics have to be removed and the box is glassed in and the avionics reinstalled.
Then there are the servos, old removed, mounts and all, and then new installed and wired in. I also now have a yaw damper
PFD has to removed and replaced with new integrated GFC700 controls.
It all has to be integrated into the G1000, tested and guaranteed not to kill you... which is the expensive part . that goes for all of it.
All of this is quoted assuming everything goes as planned(which it never does), probably priced in to some degree but.....
I now have a 2006 DA42 with a GFC700, WAAS enabled, ADSB compliant.
It doesn't get much better than that. Well a DA42 V1 with NXI but I cant afford that. Better still a DA62 with NXI.
They just keep getting better and better.

My favorite sign to hang on the wall..
"I spent 90% of my life's saving on aviation, I squandered the rest"

Thank you for the pictures and details Tim.

There is no HIRF box in a KAP140 equipped Da42?
What is the reason for installing one ?

Also what is the W&B impact of the upgrade ?

Thanks a lot

Salim

Apparently no HIRF box in the KAP 140 planes. others may more insight on the need for a HIRF box.
To my surprise she lost 10lbs.
Everyone like more useful load.

Forgive my ignorance. What is a "HIRF" box? High Intensity Radiated Field? Why would you need that in a DA-42? I can see it in an EA-6B...

Good question Steve

Btw in the first feedback from the DAN / DAI / Garmin discussions prepared by Diamond CEO, there is a quote for a HIRF box.

What is it for ? When is it required ?

TJS wrote: ↑Sun Apr 19, 2020 12:43 am I just got the GFC700 upgrade installed in my DA42. Diamond Quoted 350 hrs for the job. It took them longer.
There is a lot more to changing the autopilot than we imagine. Not a simple upgrade.
I have no regrets, no comparison to the KAP140
I believe that the resale value increased as much as I invested in the upgrade.

Congratulations! I have a 2007 DA 42 and have been planning to upgrade, but it looks like there is a long waiting list. How long did it take you overall? Other than the 60 hrs they charged you. I am sure you will enjoy the upgrade. Any pearls of wisdom for those of us who have that burning desire to upgrade?

Regards,

Veeru