News: Avionics Upgrade for Cessna 616SF (C172RG)

Dec 07 2011

Everyone who has flown 616SF will be delighted to hear that we have started a comprehensive avionics upgrade.

The upgrade includes:
Garmin GTN 650 touch screen WAAS IFR GPS/NAV/COM/ILS
King KX155 digital flip flop NAV/COM
PS Engineering intercom
Trig TT21 Mode S transponder with TIS traffic
JPI EDM700 4 cylinder engine monitor
 

What is the GTN 650?

It is Garmin’s replacement for the GNS430W. No more twiddling knobs, everything is accessed from the touch screen! Full WAAS capability including LPV and GPS approaches as well as all the usual ILS/VOR and communications capabilities. So instrument students and instrument rated pilots will not be limited to airports that have an ILS or VOR approach, but virtually any local airport will be open to them.

For example, Salinas has a GPS approach to runway 13 with minimums of 455′ agl and an LPV approach to 31 with a DA of 200′ agl, Hollister has an LPV approach with minimums of just 323′ agl, Reid Hillview LPV 31R minimums are only 379′ AGL)

Of course, VFR pilots can use it too.

There will be a learning curve, so I suggest you start preparing now:

Here’s a link to the Garmin manuals download page.

Here’s a link to Garmin’s training center videos.

There’s also a simulator for your PC downloadable from Garmin.

As for the Trig transponder, check out the Trig Web Page

The JPI Instruments documentation download Web page is here.

We have added Garmin GTN 650 and Trig TT21 manual links to our Useful Documents web page.  Take a look.

So the good old plane is getting some great new avionics. I hope you’ll like what you see and fly her a lot!

Zdravko