Gulf Coast Avionics recently completed a panel make-over of a 2004 Piper 6X for client David Linder. The list of Garmin-branded avionics is long and impressive. And there is little doubt David’s 6X panel is both a thing of beauty and a safety-packed, near future-proof system.
“He does 90% of his flying with his wife and three children on board,” said Matt Schloss, sales manager, Gulf Coast Avionics. “So taking full advantage of the available safety features offered by Garmin’s displays and the autopilot was our number one priority.”
When I looked at the before and after photos I noticed a lack of any traditional round gauges in the after photo. And that got me thinking, “How much weight did they save?”
Back in the last century I recall replacing the King radio stack in our Cessna 205 with the Apollo (now Garmin) slim-line series. The weight savings was impressive. More than 20 pounds if memory serves.
David’s new panel saves him 40 pounds, according to Gulf Coast Avionics. That’s an extra six-plus gallons of 100LL, another bag or two, or maybe just more margin under gross weight. All good things.
This Piper 6X’s panel now includes:
- Dual Garmin 10.6” G500 TXi touchscreen displays
- Single Garmin 7” G500 TXi display for Engine Information System
- Garmin GTN750 touchscreen GPS/COMM/NAV
- Garmin GFC500 Digital Autopilot with Electronic Stability Protection
- Garmin GI-260 Angle-Of-Attack (AOA) Indicator
- Garmin G5 Back-Up Display
- Garmin GTX 345R ADS-B Out/In Remote Transponder
- Garmin GMA 35c Remote Audio Panel
- Dual Garmin GSB 15 USB Power & Charging connectors
- All-new engine sensors for display on the G500 TXi
- Custom designed and manufactured metal instrument panel
That’s a weight reduction program the most enthusiastic fitness trainer would be proud of.
I didn’t ask how long it took or how much it cost. You know the saying, if you have to ask…
Congratulations to both David (and his family) and Gulf Coast Avionics. Now go enjoy that sweet 6X David.
I just read the may 21st edition of GA magazine. In case you didn’t notice, the two picture in page 12 showing Gulf Coasts avionics, someone is dyslexic. Note the registration number I. The first picture is N476RC, in the second it is N467RC. But as the saying goes “three out of every two people are dyslexic”
Details matter
Right you are Steven. Details do matter. But mistakes do happen. Thanks for reading.
Yes, some details do matter, but not that one.
I dunno…. I can jump into my aeroplane this afternoon and fly across the nation on my steam gauges (and Foreflight if feeling lazy) and save 60 grand…
I couldn’t agree more – a waste of time and money. So many people these days just can’t see past the obsession for “more tech”. I’d rather go flying and enjoy the view outside!
I say if you can afford it go for it, you only live once
Not only did it lighten up his plane, but his wallet, too.
Droolworthy panel . . . there are airliners not this well equipped.
But as has been mentioned, what did it cost? I’d like to see an itemized breakdown:
1) list price of all the goodies?
2) actual selling price for all the goodies (nobody pays list price, do they?)
3) how long was the airplane out of service?
4) how many hours of labor were involved at $XX per hour?
5) what was the salvage value of the removed avionics?
6) Also, was this sales tax exempt or did the Governor get a new Mercedes S600 to ride around in?
(We also know that even with the most skilled technicians and the best practices, no system this complex ever works perfectly right out of the box. That’s not to throw any shade at GC, they’re very good at what they do. How much troubleshooting/final adjustment time was needed?)
This would be useful information for anyone planning their own upgrades, even if they are less extensive than this.
(Note to self, envy is one of the seven deadly sins. Repeat as needed . . . )
Why not include the price? That would be very helpful to your readers.
Actually, it WOULD be useful to know how much it cost. The literary “if you have to ask” quip shorts us of information that would help us understand what is involved in putting this collection, or part of it, in to our planes at this time. What is wrong with information being made available?
The G500 10inchers are $16k each. The 7inchers are 12k each. The GTN 750 is $17k. The GFC 500 is $7k. The G5 is $7k. The GTS 345r is $5k. The GMS 35c is $2200. Th GSB 15 is $320 bucks. Worth it? You bet.
Thanks! But the cost of this total package, including installation charge, would be a service to readers.
Well, that’s $56K right there. Additional hardware, e.g. wiring harnesses, cylinder probes, new thermometer, etc probably another $12K. Labor $100-125/hr. Labor estimate I had for a single 275 and 375 was was 40 hrs or $5k. WAG of 200 hr is $32-$40K. Back in ’16 the price for a 6x with an “ok stack” was $340K. So we’re looking at almost 1/3 the cost of the airplane for the new avionics.