Aspen 1500H and Garmin GTN 750 for UK use in an R44
Thread Starter
Aspen 1500H and Garmin GTN 750 for UK use in an R44
Hi Guys,
Just after some thoughts on how useful the Aspen PFD/MFD and the Garmin GTN 750 are for a UK based R44. I am UK based, fly VFR and it seems to me that much of the 'useful stuff' in the GTN and MFD such as weather, geo-referenced charts and such are only available in the US. In the context of an R44 used as a personal machine/personal business transport are they just toys for the sake of it? Are you better off sticking to steam and a properly mounted and powered iPad?
Are these items worth the money for a UK based machine?
Also what do people think about the usefulness/value of the SAS/Autopilot system now being offered for the R44; would you have it if you were specifying a new machine?
Happy flying!
Thanks,
CRAN
Just after some thoughts on how useful the Aspen PFD/MFD and the Garmin GTN 750 are for a UK based R44. I am UK based, fly VFR and it seems to me that much of the 'useful stuff' in the GTN and MFD such as weather, geo-referenced charts and such are only available in the US. In the context of an R44 used as a personal machine/personal business transport are they just toys for the sake of it? Are you better off sticking to steam and a properly mounted and powered iPad?
Are these items worth the money for a UK based machine?
Also what do people think about the usefulness/value of the SAS/Autopilot system now being offered for the R44; would you have it if you were specifying a new machine?
Happy flying!
Thanks,
CRAN
I have an Aspen pfd in a 500 here are my thoughts
1. Replaced the HSI and AH, bloody good at those things, but AH is easy to put beyond its limits i.e. doing quick stops ( I know you don't need one for that exercise)
2. Still have to keep ASI VSI and ALT
3. Linked to GNS430 which is nice if IFR machine
4. Wind aloft feature is not to to be relied on
5. The thing I really wanted that I was shown before purchase was synthetic vision, but not certified in EASA land and probably won't be I have been told
Would I buy one again, good question cost £ 12500 by time paperwork was done ( that took 6 months due to CAA not liking lithium ion battery !!!!!!)
If AH hadn't gone tits up and the HSI was starting to struggle and if I didn't spend the money then I would get an even bigger tax bill then No i wouldn't have got one.
Don't get me wrong a great bit of kit but like anything in aviation it does not justify the cost
1. Replaced the HSI and AH, bloody good at those things, but AH is easy to put beyond its limits i.e. doing quick stops ( I know you don't need one for that exercise)
2. Still have to keep ASI VSI and ALT
3. Linked to GNS430 which is nice if IFR machine
4. Wind aloft feature is not to to be relied on
5. The thing I really wanted that I was shown before purchase was synthetic vision, but not certified in EASA land and probably won't be I have been told
Would I buy one again, good question cost £ 12500 by time paperwork was done ( that took 6 months due to CAA not liking lithium ion battery !!!!!!)
If AH hadn't gone tits up and the HSI was starting to struggle and if I didn't spend the money then I would get an even bigger tax bill then No i wouldn't have got one.
Don't get me wrong a great bit of kit but like anything in aviation it does not justify the cost
Guest
Posts: n/a
Steam and an ipad, or maybe if you can live with the screen size, an iPhone 6+. Runway HD and Skydemon have got it nailed, and add all the other gizmos you can buy for these portable devices and there is no need for anything with an aviation label and a pricetag to match. IMHO of course ! I've no personal experience of SAS/Autopilot on R44 but when I used to fly for pure pleasure, holding the controls was part of the fun.
HTH
HTH
