![]() ![]() On the other hand, prepare for surprises once the aircraft is disassembled. The same is true for any systems that needs rewiring. The bottom line is to make sure the shop makes an accurate assessment of existing and required accessories and include them in the proposal. It could also be a good time to remove abandoned antennas and inoperative ADF and Loran-C systems. New comm antenna systems could run as much as $2000, including labor and supplies, and modifications to the navigation antenna system to receive a glideslope signal could require sizable effort. Replacing communications antennas often means removing headliners and opening the aircraft floor, plus replacing old coaxial cabling. Youll need one for IFR flying.Īntenna work can snowball the job, too. Our advice is to have this inspection accomplished first, because it really is the first step in readying the aircraft for IFR flight.īasic models might not even have a heated pitot tube. Its not uncommon for an aging and neglected static system to have cracked lines and fittings. A static system rebuild and instrument overhaul for even basic vintage Cessna and Piper models could require a sizable teardown and extra costs. If the aircraft has been operated under VFR, its possible that it hasnt undergone a thorough pitot/static and altimeter system inspection required by FAR 91.411. For starters, this includes antennas, altitude encoders, avionics cooling system, circuit breakers and electrical bus wiring, flight instruments, pitot/static system and instrument panel lighting. The budget-busting gotcha with IFR upgrades (and VFR upgrades, too) is the accessories that might be required to support the installed equipment. ![]() Youll need to have the aircraft inspected by a trusted and experienced shop before the aircraft hits the installation floor because there is more to the upgrade than primary systems. In this article, well do what shops should do up front and present the realistic costs and worthy choices for basic IFR capability. Moreover, we think many good shops miss the mark when it comes to helping buyers make the right decisions for their mission and budget. Whether its an unsupported IFR GPS found on eBay or passing on a PFD that can save money in the long term, its imperative to price all options before pulling the trigger on the upgrade, including pricing flagship packages. Sadly, weve witnessed enough buyer remorse over the years when owners upgrade entry-level aircraft for IFR on the cheap. This wont buy an autopilot or primary flight display, so youre stuck with steam gauges unless you can spend around $35,000. The typical basic ground-up IFR avionics upgrade is going to approach, if not exceed, $20,000. ![]()
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January 2023
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