Standby Attitude Indicator Replacement

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vontresc
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Standby Attitude Indicator Replacement

Post by vontresc »

Hi, our electric standby AI is starting to fail. I am wondering what option I might have instead of going with a like unit? Has anyone replace their standby with a digital gyro?

Thanks

Peter
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Rick
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Re: Standby Attitude Indicator Replacement

Post by Rick »

I replaced mine with a GI-275 a few years ago, and I love it.
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Colin
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Re: Standby Attitude Indicator Replacement

Post by Colin »

Is your DA40 a G1000? And that's allowed? (When the little round gauge replacements first showed up I think I recall a prohibition on using them with the G1000 since they shared some code, or something like that.)
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Tim H
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Re: Standby Attitude Indicator Replacement

Post by Tim H »

Consider the AV-30 by uAvionix.

https://uavionix.com/products/av-30/

The DA-40 is on the list of approved installations.
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Rick
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Re: Standby Attitude Indicator Replacement

Post by Rick »

Colin wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 6:39 pmIs your DA40 a G1000? And that's allowed? (When the little round gauge replacements first showed up I think I recall a prohibition on using them with the G1000 since they shared some code, or something like that.)
Yes, I'm G1000. I think the G5 might have been originally prohibited with the G1000, but I know DA40's that have those, too. My avionics shop had no problem replacing my AI with the GI-275 with just a 337.
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Re: Standby Attitude Indicator Replacement

Post by gyro3816 »

AV-30c has an STC - looks like a great option. My opinion is Garmin’s units is a boat anchor in comparison.
I am considering the upgrade this summer. There is also a bluetooth inline connector that will allow traffic overlay and nav points. Supposedly the wireless connector is undergoing cert testing now, not sure on timing.
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Steve
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Re: Standby Attitude Indicator Replacement

Post by Steve »

My primary attitude indicator was getting slower to erect after 20 years. I replaced it with an RC Allen 2610. I have been very satisfied with it.
Old AI, behind panel view
Old AI, behind panel view
Original BF Goodrich AI

RC Allen 2610
RC Allen 2610
New RC Allen AI

RC Allen 2610 with emergency battery, behind panel view
RC Allen 2610 with emergency battery, behind panel view
New RC Allen showing reduced behind-panel space requirement

I bought the version that has an inclinometer and T&B, giving redundancy for the electric T&B. Additionally, the fact that the new AI has its own battery backup removes it from the DA 40 emergency power battery, which gives more capacity to run the floodlight longer...

It also saved me about two pounds of empty weight...
Last edited by Steve on Fri Aug 05, 2022 9:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Standby Attitude Indicator Replacement

Post by vontresc »

So far i've been quite happy with the AV-20 we put in the club 182RG. I'll have to look into the AV-30 a bit more. I was also looking at the RC allen 2610. The 275 is nice and all, but I have had multiple friends pay upwards of 8k to install a 275.
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vontresc
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Re: Standby Attitude Indicator Replacement

Post by vontresc »

Ugh... just ran into this little footnote on the AV-30 AML...

https://uavionix.com/downloads/AV-30-C/ ... Signed.pdf

Limitations:  
[1] Excluding aircraft with Maximum Operating Altitude greater than 25,000ft  
[2] Cannot function as standby attitude indicator on EFIS‐equipped aircraft  
[3] Excluding aircraft configured for more than 6 passenger seats or greater than 6,000lbs MTOW

So much for that...
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Re: Standby Attitude Indicator Replacement

Post by haykinson »

The Mid-continent MD-302 (https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/ ... 302sam.php) is on the new aircraft price list, so it is likely approved for existing ones too as a standby module. Of course, it is also quite expensive and has to replace not just the AI but all the standby instruments.
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