Originally Posted by
Check Airman
Thanks for trying to explain, but my ignorance of the process makes it hard to understand why it’s difficult to certify. It’s not as if they’re reinventing the wheel.
It's not difficult, it's just a lot of (paper)work and, as such, expensive.
The same reason, why adding a USD 25 camera "to monitor XXXXX" explodes in costs before it even can be installed as a useful device.
The same reason, why adding a nice device for whatever function in a private GA airplane, costs a multitude of the device costs itself, just to pay somebody to give its blessings, there will not be any additional risk, when adding that device.
The same reason why flying an N-reg GA airplane in Europe is cheaper than a locally registered airplane.
Maybe, even the same reason, why 'mericans hate a government.
Note: During design, a lot of extra effort is spent, preparing for the certification, so the exact cost allocation is somewhat diffuse.