Global Express Avionics Upgrade
 

Hi All, New to the forum.

My boss is interested in purchasing a 2010 Global Express XRS. While at this point we haven't made the decision to write the check, I'm wondering if it'd be possible to upgrade the entire cockpit avionics to match Global Vision. I'm sure it's ridiculously expensive, but humor me. Other potential aircraft we'd look at are a little bit smaller, the Legacy 500, Citation X+, or a Challenger 605. If anyone has any information on these aircraft regarding their reliability, performance, etc. please let me know.

I have not heard of anyone upgrading the entire suite to Global Vision. Likely not possible, but, for "classic" aircraft Honeywell is discontinuing support of the CRT screens and now offers LCD replacement units for a few hundred thousand $. This retrofit does not make a Global Vision cockpit but will get you out of the Stone Age.

By the way, GLEX Classic CRT unit repairs and service will be ongoing by an outside vendor.

upintheair,

You can not put the Vision cockpit in the XRS. You can up grade to DU885 and Batch 3, which is as close as you can get on the older Globals. We did it on one of our Globals a few years ago. Cost is around $850k, but you can get it for less if you negotiate it while doing larger mx. We did ours during the 8C and paid around $650K. This was at a Bombardier Service Center..

j

Kinda wide spectrum of airplanes your boss is looking at, and interesting that he is interested in the avionics which he will never sit in front of anyway ;)
What are you currently flying?

No, but the DU885 and Batch 3 will give you much of the Vision functionality--VGP, CPDLC/ FANS, Charts, etc. There's a huge range of capability in these planes--an XRS is a big jump from the 605, let alone a Citation.

GF

Honeywell has recently extended support for the old CRT displays as there have been issues with the DU885 replacements.

A batch 3.3 Global with CRT screens can do pretty much everything a Vision can do, the only exception I think is steep approaches, which the XRS is not (and will not be?) certified to do.

There are some "extras" in the Vision which I miss greatly when in an XRS - but it is mainly a Collins (Vision) vs Honeywell (XRS) thing.
Good Vision features:
- Flight plan amendments previewed and then EXECUTED
- Visual (on-screen) fixes for pilot selectable waypoints/ETPs/etc and range rings available (great for diverts/ETPs/circling areas)
- Off-track VNAV
Obviously, with the screen "real-estate" the Vision is a HELL of a lot nicer than the XRS, but there's not too many FMS differences. I am biased towards the Collins way of doing things, though I've met many who prefer the Honeywell way of doing things...

What are you trying to achieve by upgrading the avionics in the XRS? It's a late one so it will be Batch 3 so there's not a busting lot that it can't do that the Vision can. It's not as pretty but it's just as functional. There's a few extra VNav modes on the Vision but who cares - everybody climbs in VS or pitch anyway because it's like being on one of those comedy bulls in a bar otherwise. Get the late XRS, change your username to blahdeblah51k, and spend the million odd bucks you would have spent on the "upgrades" on hookers and beer