40 Year Old Airplane Converted To Glass Cockpit | Our Avionics Journey | The Fire Pilot
Over 40 years after @TextronAviationInc (Cessna) built our plane, we invest to convert all of the old steam gauges to a glass panel cockpit. See how we chose the avionics and the end result.
We are showing you how we decided who we are doing business with. The avionics selection and installation process is time consuming. You don't want to go into that process blindly. Going with the big Guys is fine, but if you want a company to walk with you through this process and have amazing capability in the cockpit of your airplane as well as family like service after the sale, then I would encourage you to give these avionics companies a look.
We are completely transforming this airplane. We replaced the directional gyro, attitude indicator, turn coordinator, altimeter, air speed indicator, and vertical speed indicator with electronic versions. These airplane instruments more commonly known together as the "standard six pack". Now all of that can fit on one screen. The Aspen Avionics Evolution 200 Pro Max is the answer.
We also replaced our old engine gauges. Cylinder head temperature, exhaust gas temperature, oil pressure, oil temperature, fuel flow, volt/ammeters, manifold pressure, RPM gauge all replaced by 3 electronic gauges that combine and consolidate for a seamless installation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
00:00 Our Avionics Journey
00:34 Steam Gauges
01:30 The Search For Screens
02:05 Aspen Avionics
03:44 Engine Monitor
05:00 The Search For Installers
07:00 The Installation
09:50 Test Flight
17:39 The Wrap Up
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leave a comment to let us know what you think.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like our videos, please support us:
www.TheFirePilot.me/
teespring.com/stores/thefirep...
/
/
/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As an Onsite Avionics troubleshooter, I couldn't say it better myself. We all know how the BIG GUYS you are talking about.
Maaannnnn SUPER NICE PANEL. GREAT JOB. WOW. Fukin Blessed you are brother. Thank you for your service, hero. You deserve every bit of it man.
That autopilot ain't no match against a firefighter we know that 🤷😆 I love these videos and yes thank you for sharing all of them with us. I look forward to the next one.
That’s pretty funny Kevin. I will say I have broken it before. Muncie got us all repaired and fixed back Up. So far she’s working like a charm. Hope to keep it that way. Thanks for the comments and support.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve done that when I don’t like what the ap is doing.
@@jorosz7788 I totally get it. That would be most people's instinct to fight it if it's doing weird stuff.
I flew behind an Aspen for the last few years, loved it. Great support from the company!
They are awesome aren't they? Flying behind them gives you as much if not more than the heavy metal that the airlines have.
Another good one.
Yes, Ken Talhelm is the best... I am not biased but he is my brother. He taught me a lot around the pulse bench when I worked there in the mid 80s when LORAN was getting popular. Those new glass look really cool, and all the digital gages are very nice looking.
Thanks so much! Yea Ken is a cool dude. He has forgotten more knowledge than most will ever know. Thanks for the watch. Tell Ken I said thanks!
Been thinking about getting some glass since riding in 38Y... just need to get that Fire Pilot discount on my future Aspen installation! Lol!! I will also agree that my favorite thing about Muncie is how communicative they were. Chuck was on the phone with me multiple times over the week, I haven't ever had as thorough communication from a shop. Couldn't have been happier.
I am sure Andy will take care of you! Just tell him I sent you :-) lol Yea it's different than anything around here. Which is really sad. It would be a perfect time to open up an avionics shop. hmmmmm -Sean
What a GREAT video! The few moments with the autopilot was very eye opening, I think I saw your heart rate through your shirt! LOL!
Hahah! You never know what will happen. - Sean
ATP Helicopter, EC135 SPIFR MEDEVAC. Those who haven't flown with an automatic flight control system (AFCS), often assume that the 'autopilot' flies FOR YOU. Nothing is further from the truth. YOU are still flying the aircraft.. That autopilot is a tool- and only as good as what you tell it to do. The purpose of the AFCS is to lighten up the pilot's workload so you can manage where you're going, monitor the aircraft, and talk on the radio. If you give it the wrong instructions you may end up in the crapper.. You better be ready to take the controls, and figure out what's going on when your automatic co-pilot decides to take a coffee break when you're in IMC!
Timing could not have been better, thanks for this!
Are you upgrading? What do you have in mind? Glad I can help.
@@TheFirePilot looking to replace at a minimum the AI, DG, & AP (all orig) in our Warrior. I've been eyeing the Aspen panels...need to get pricing on those instead of something like G5 or GI275 duals.
@@MarkHeckler I have had both the g5 and the aspens. The G5’s are like a toy compared to the aspens. Pricing should be pretty close. My G5’s had issue after issue. The aspens just do so much more.
@@TheFirePilot Muncie isn't that far from me either, really...so that helps too. Need to determine what autopilots work with the Aspens and a Garmin GNX375... Thanks!
What auto pilot do you currently have if any and what kind of plane are you flying?
Damn. Thank Goodness they found the fuel line leak. Looks like an AD waiting to happen. And rightfuly so. I installed an Aspen in my Archer II, but recently sold it and bought a Saratoga instead. It has a Garmin 275 attitude indicator, but I just can't. I miss my Aspen. So I just ordered an Evolution 2000 Max. Once you have Aspen, you can't go to a Garmin PFD.
You are correct! Glad you were able to get an Apsen. It really does make a huge difference.
You have an MCAS on that :D congrat on your editing, very professional. Nice R you got there
Thank you very much!
No MCAS.... Yet!
@@TheFirePilot Pilot induce MCAS ;)
You never know! :-)
Nice upgrade!
Thanks Eric! It was quite the endeavor. I appreciate the support! -Sean
I am a huge Aspen fan. Put one in my first plane (C182) and then in my 310Q. Unfortunately the price tag goes up when you get above 6,000 lbs and we are planning the 60o txi in the 421.
The 421 is a really awesome aircraft. It’s a shame the costs are more than the TXI. I haven’t flown a full G suite but the limited experience I have makes me an Aspen guy 10:1. Would love to see your 421! -Sean
Close to my hometown, thanks for sharing.
Which one Angie? Muncie or here in Richmond? Thanks for watching!!!
@@TheFirePilot It’s Tony Angie is my wife l just use her account I probably should change that someday. We just live south east of Indianapolis in Shelbyville.
@@angiewells9589 really cool. Great people there. You should create your own account and then subscribe! Gotta get those numbers up!!! Lol
I don't own but that was still one of the best discussions on choosing not just avionics, but installation and service. I am passing this on to a couple of my friends that do own.
Thanks Larry. Relationships are important to me and when a company isn't interested in doing business with me, I am not interested in doing business with them. -Sean
Sometimes it’s tough to make that transition from steam gauges to glass. Having an autopilot is a game changer, but you really have to know how it works. I really miss autopilots in GA flying. It makes flying instruments so much easier.
Well, just watched this and I think you just cost me a lot of money!! Haha! great video. My (new to me) 310P is going to be getting some new love! Would like to chat with you about some of the things you did.
I love a 310. And this is the best setup I have ever seen. I love it. Let me know if I can help.
Good vid. Thx
Thanks for watching. I appreciate it.
For a channel with so few subscribers you are doing a great job of the presentation and video editing. I expect you will go far if you remain interested. Great conversion to modern glass cockpit. Are the systems completely independent? I do military electronics for a living, on the one hand I know how reliable and dependable they are, on the other they do go wrong. And a common mode failure in IMC would suck. While the aircraft still has magnetos and carburetors it still doesn't have decent technology for 1981. The certified aircraft system, and the manufacturer's greed means there's no easy way out of that. The FAA won't let you stick a reasonably priced FADEC engine on a certified aircraft, and the engine manufacturers love charging ten times the actual value for the fuel injection systems. The first fuel injected aircraft engine was in 1916, the first gas direct injection was 1925. VW put Bosch fuel injection on their 1600 engine in 1967. Modern fuel injection systems are cheap and extremely reliable, as are modern ignition systems. Magnetos and carburetors belong with oil lamps and tube radios, confined to history and museums.
Cageordie, thanks for the comments. 2K subs are relatively small youtube channel for sure. We have worked our @$s off for them that is for sure though! To answer your questions - Yes - each of them depend on each other. The MFD/PFD get's it's GPS and route data from the Avidyne GPS. However if they fail, they have around 2 hours of backup batter that remains. I can still maintain straight and level flight. They will provide heading airspeed and attitude. This would allow me to get to the ground safely at the nearest airport. When it comes to an FADEC - I haven't done much research and don't know much about them. It appears in an FADEC engine that the engine would fail if you had an electrical failure? Is that correct? Thanks for the history. I love to random facts like that. -Sean
Great video! Just curious what the cost was of your avionics upgrade + Install?
A lot. Probably 50K. I try not to look at the invoices. Or our bank accounts.
Great video! I’m thinking of putting an Aspen Evolution 1500H (1000H PFD + 500H MFD) into my R44. I’m seeing a lot of good things said about the Aspen hardware. What are your thoughts after 6 months or so? Thanks!
So far - the products have been amazing. Working the screens into the workflow of IFR flying has really spoiled me. Anytime I have needed any support the sales reps, the warranty guys etc all have been outstanding. The amount of information they provide can really change the way you fly. The situational awareness rivals that of a commercial carrier. I really could not be happier. If you have any specific questions just let me know.
Hi Sean. Haven't seen you at BRY all summer. We need to get together and compare notes. I missed this video when it came out. I think I told you about my panel. Aspen Max 2000, IFD540, STEC 55X, Lynx 9000+ /w TCAS, JPI EDM900, PMA450, GNC255a. We just finished the upgrade to my daughter's Cherokee 235 to almost the same thing. We need a reason to fly east out to your territory. Got any good places to eat around there?
Randy - we have plenty! Come see me and we will talk. Take care my friend!
Yo Sean, this was an ok-ish video.. I would love to see actual interaction with the new avionics and maybe even model numbers in the description. I am looking for a stack of gear for the '62 skylark I am flying as all the 6pak stuff is crusty as hell and increases workload.
Thanks. After I published this video you are right I didn't do it justice to actually show off the goods. But great excuse for another video!
@@TheFirePilot Yea maybe set up a dash shot cam on your next flight so we see how much you have to do from takeoff til landing.
@@WolfPilot I like it. This is my next camera angle I think.
If you pull against the AP should it not disengage?
I see a lot of older planes getting converted to glass.
It makes sense.
How much it cost in total? For all the restoration?
Less than if I purchased the aircraft out the gate in the same condition. And I have it customized to me.
@@TheFirePilot how old is this lady?
@@siddique5097 1979 with about 10,000 hours.
Ah! The KFC 200 autopilot.
Trusty ole KFC200!
Cezzna
Cezzzzzzzzna... Yea I have a southern accent.
@@TheFirePilot well done video, updating my steam gauges in the near future and enjoyed watching.
@@hayden6743 awesome. Picking the right shop is critical. We learned the hard way.
Excuse the user name please. I do not understand why you went through the process of evaluating avionics systems for your aircraft yourself instead of going direct to Muncie in the first place and saying words to the effect of "This is my aircraft type and these are the typical missions that I fly, please tell me what my options are". I am always of the view that people in their fields are generally experts just as I am in my field. I am a good pilot but I am not an Avionics expert or an turbine expert.
Hey no worries on the name we are all family here. This is a fair question and let me explain. First - What I knew was that I couldn't and wouldn't use any local shops. I had not had the greatest experience and the level of service that I had seen other places. Secondly - That led me to find another shop. But before a shop - I also knew that I did not want to work with certain companies. I am a man of principles. So I didn't just focus on a "system" or a "box" but more of a company. With that being more important - I couldn't go to an installer first. This was way more than just a GPS box install or a piece of equipment. This was - who did I want to spend my hard earned money, be part of the family of customers and also who did I want to fly behind. Because of all that - I didn't go to a shop first because I wanted to do the research and take my findings to someone I trusted for a complete educated consultation. That's how I got to where I am. Thanks for the question. -Sean
@@TheFirePilot Hi Sean, thank you for taking the time for a detailed response. I appreciate how important it is to act with honor and will only work for and purchase from organizations that are themselves honorable.