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:

• Economic constraints often make full, modern avionics upgrades unaffordable or economically unsound for aircraft owners, leading to neglected panels and compromised safety/utility.
• Instead of costly overhauls, the article advocates for targeted "trailing edge" retrofits that enhance reliability, safety, and utility within a budget, recommending starting with the audio system for improved communication and future expansion.
• Key upgrades also include targeted nav/comm or early-generation GPS replacements, and crucial pitot/static system rebuilds; while non-WAAS options exist, the long-term importance of WAAS for advanced approaches and ADS-B compliance is a critical consideration.

Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->

See a mistake? Contact us.