From: geoff@peck.com (Geoff Peck)
Subject: Re: Avionics (King) questions
Organization: Geoffrey G. Peck, Consultant, San Jose CA
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 19:32:08 GMT

In article <1992Aug26.161802.29628@nas.nasa.gov> blake@wk60.nas.nasa.gov
(Matthew W. Blake) about being one of the multiple victims of avionics
theft at PAO last weekend.  He asks what should replace the old avionics?
[I post this because some of the thinking on "how to decide" may be of
interest to other netters ... unfortunately, at least one other netter had
his avionics burgled at the same time as Matt's were removed.]

>So I have options! I have an Archer in excellent shape, it's in a flying
>club and sees lots of VFR and IFR work.  It's well equiped with an 
>autopilot, intercom, electric trim, etc.
>What was taken:  (2) KX170B Nav/coms
>                 (1) KR86 ADF
>                 (1) KN64 DME

[Matt describes some of his options.]

First, I agree with your sentiment to go with new King equipment.  The new
stuff isn't that much more expensive than used equivalent-model equipment,
and King stuff is really only about 10% more expensive than equivalent
Narco (Not A Radio Company) gear.  The King stuff will be more reliable,
will add to your airplane's resale value, and will not be seen as a big
minus by renters.

The key issue for avionics selection is >>how is the airplane used<<?  You
answer that admirably right up front -- VFR and IFR, in a flying club.  Given
that info, I'd suggest:

    1 x KMA24 audio panel with marker beacons
	(use your existing KMA20 if it's still there)
    2 x KX155 nav/comm, one with glideslope
    1 x KR87 ADF if you can afford it, KR86 otherwise
    1 x KT76A transponder (use your existing one if it's still there)

Next addition, if you have a bit of money:

    1 x KN64 DME

Next addition, if you have a bit more money:

    1 x LORAN or GPS of your choice

Why this set of gear and this order?

(1) KX155's are a better idea in a rental aircraft.  Renters know how
    to use them; renters are frequently confused by KNS80 RNAV's.  KNS80's,
    if they do break, and they do more frequently than KX155's, usually
    take a bit longer to fix.  Avionics shops frequently even have loaner
    KX155's available while yours is being fixed.

(2) The ADF is required for IFR training.  If your airplane is used for
    IFR training, which, BTW, is a good, non-abusive use of a rental
    airplane, you need to have one.  The KR87 is an absolutely wonderful
    ADF, and is worth the price.  But you may want to be sitting down when
    you ask "how much".

(3) DME is, again, easy for renter pilots to use and helpful for the
    instrument rating.  Much though people love LORANS and GPSes, when a
    renter pilot is confronted with a device he or she has never seen
    before vs. a known quantity, the known quantity frequently wins.

(4) Of course, an easy-to-use LORAN or GPS such as the Northstar might
    encourage pilots to take the airplane on even longer trips, but if one
    looks at the distribution of flights on a leaseback Archer, most of 'em
    will be short haul/training type flights, and it's probably better to
    try to encourage "better" short haul utilization (IFR training) than it
    is to encourage the occasional longer cross-country flight.

Last but not least.  Ensure that you're getting a _quality_ installation.
You might consider getting quotes from several shops, including Flightcraft
in Oakland/Hawyard.  Flightcraft could also quote you a panel with
completely overhauled used equipment equivalent to your old stuff.
Flightcraft's prices won't be cheap.  (Hint hint.)

I had my panel installed by Flightcraft in Eugene, Oregon, and they did an
excellent job.  Locally, I can highly recommend Advanced Avionics at San
Jose.  I can also strongly disrecommend any of the avionics places at PAO.

Good luck!

							Geoff
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