That’s a couple of Garmin GI 275 electronic flight instruments retrofitted in a vintage Bonanza. To save the budget, they’re designed for incremental upgrades because they fit in existing three-and-one-quarter-inch instrument cutouts. [Courtesy: Garmin]
Key Takeaways:
Budget-friendly "small-screen" EFIS upgrades offer a simpler, less labor-intensive alternative to full glass cockpits, fitting existing instrument cutouts and reducing installation costs.
While initial equipment costs are lower (targeting $10K-$15K), the total project price often increases due to required system cleanups (e.g., pitot/static, wiring) and optional avionics additions.
Leading budget EFIS options include Garmin's G5 and more advanced GI 275, uAvionix's AV-30-C (now IFR capable with adapters), and Aspen Avionics' larger E5, each with distinct features and integration capabilities.
These upgrades provide additional benefits like the ability to remove the aircraft's vacuum system, saving weight and simplifying future maintenance.
After cutting a new instrument panel and all the other labor-intensive work that tags along with the retrofit, flagship big-screen Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) upgrades come with eye-watering invoices and lots of downtime.
While these big projects could make sense for some, we suspect the majority of buyers look for ways to keep the budget and complexity in check.
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Larry Anglisano is the former Editor in Chief of sister publication Aviation Consumer magazine. He's an active land, sea and glider pilot, and has over 30 years experience as an avionics tech.
