Trailing Edge Avionics Upgrades

The dismal economy has been no help to the average aircraft upgrade budget. If you’ve recently solicited proposals for an ultra-modern avionics retrofit, you may have discovered the soup-to-nuts avionics upgrade you lust for probably isn’t affordable. Moreover, sinking half or more of the aircraft’s value into the panel pushes the boundaries of smart economics. Even the most modest of modern avionics upgrades could put the aircraft upside down financially. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t upgrade at all. In many cases, a budget that can’t afford the latest and greatest gear has the owner sitting on his hands. This leads to neglected panels while safety and utility hang in the balance.

Key Takeaways:

• Facing high costs for modern avionics, aircraft owners often neglect essential upgrades, compromising safety and utility.
• Instead of "soup-to-nuts" overhauls, "trailing edge" retrofits offer budget-friendly ways to enhance reliability and safety.
• Key areas for these cost-effective upgrades include prioritizing the audio system, considering older IFR GPS units (like an upgradable GNS430 or a portable GPS/iPad setup), and rebuilding the often-neglected pitot/static system.

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