Every aircraft owner of a Legacy Aircraft is usually on a budget, especially those who fly VFR for Fun. Frankly, these pilots have a strict budget for flying and often compromise on other things in their lives to make “room” for an aircraft. For example, they will drive an older car to make room in the household budget for an airplane. In 1974, in anticipation of getting married, I sold my 1947 Stinson 108-2 Voyager to get married. My flying friends advised me to keep the Stinson and get rid of the girl. I made the wrong decision. I should have kept the plane! I digress.
Avionics, next to the engine and prop, represent the biggest investment in the airplane although when aircraft owners were asked, if they had the funds, what part of their aircraft would they improve, 57% said they would upgrade the avionics (engine came in a distant 25%). Often, replacing or upgrading avionics in a legacy airplane means buying good, used equipment. Everyone wants a “deal” but … what is a good deal? If you think that a good deal is the lowest price, your heading in the wrong direction!
A good deal on used avionics is:
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A FAIR price on the right solution from a Reliable Source
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A clean, recently tested and certified unit
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A Warranty
Avionics are expensive and repairing them is too so looking for the lowest price is a dangerous approach to buying used avionics. There is almost always a compromise. Make sure that what you are buying is the right solution to your problem. A good price on the wrong unit gets you nowhere! Buying your avionics from a reliable source is key! Spending $8000 on a used piece of avionics from a private party with no warranty is risky. The avionics you are considering should have been tested and re-certified in the last 90 days. Equipment that sat on the shelf for extended periods of time can be troublesome. If it’s a new installation on a used piece of equipment, you’ll need the mounting rack and connectors, or even better, a new installation kit. Make sure these are included at the price. The standard industry warranty on SV (Serviceable) avionics is 90 days. Serviceable avionics is bench tested and confirmed to be operating at a certain standard. OH (overhauled) equipment is rebuilt per specific overhaul standards and while it costs a bit more, frequently comes with a 6 month warranty and likely to last longer in the field. Buying with No warranty on an $8000 piece of avionics is crazy!
I have contacts and access to the inventories of many reliable avionics vendors who will sell you the right unit (actually, I’ll determine that in advance). They will offer you a fair price and stand behind the unit with a minimum 90 day warranty.
In short, I can help you locate a good, reliable piece of avionics from a good source with a warranty. This can be done in a few emails in generally one hour or $75. In most cases, my advice will save you money and in all cases, keep you from making a mistake!
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Bob Hart www.AvionixHelp.com