Avionics News May 2023 - 35

Are compact
digital displays
the right choice?
As you can see, these
new-generation small
displays deliver amazing
capabilities that can redefine
what you expect from an
aircraft's instruments. But
the question is, are they right
for the owner and their type
of flying?
" It's based a lot on the
EASY TO FLY;
EASIER TO BUY
After completing more than its share of panel upgrades, Mark Lee, chief
executive officer of Forge Flightworks, and his team have not only created a
" preset " panel package featuring a pair of Garmin GI 275s and a Garmin GFC
500 digital autopilot, but they have also enhanced it with offering to finance the
owner's budget, " Duncan
said. " They can spend a lot
of time and money replacing
their mechanical instruments
with large displays from
Dynon, Garmin and BendixKing.
Still, while the capabilities
are amazing, there's a
heavy price to be paid. These
new digital displays are
excellent options for many
owners. You get a lot of the
same capabilities (albeit on
smaller displays) with none
of the invasive panel work.
" Another thing to consider
is that most pilots are flying
with iPads now, and they
provide much of the same information
as the large panel
displays. Also, if you have an
Avidyne IFD or Garmin GTN
GPS navigator, you already
have a rather large display in
the panel, so you probably
don't need yet another big
screen.
" You get to the point of
information overload - too
much information on too
many displays can be distracting.
No doubt a panel
full of glass is tempting, but
you have to look at the real
benefits. Once you determine
that, the rest of your upgrade
decisions are easy. " q
equipment and installation.
" We've worked closely with several owners of singles and twins on what
equipment makes the most sense for their needs, " Lee said. " Time and time again,
this package presented itself as the best solution for the money. It typically comes
in at under $40,000 (including installation). We can remove the vacuum system
while installing a system that brings so much safety and reliability to so many
legacy aircraft. "
" There are tens of thousands of GA airplanes for which this upgrade makes sense, "
added Mike Harris, Forge Flightworks solutions manager. " Even airplanes that are
worth $100,000 are perfect for it. Look at all the capabilities you get, which will raise
the value so that you'll get some of the investment back when you sell. Everybody
wants a digital cockpit. "
Harris said that so far, Forge Flightworks has installed a digital solution into
everything ranging from Cherokees to Cessna 421s.
" Most of the fleet has a current GPS navigator, so integration is not usually a
problem, " he explained. " You can keep your King radios or Garmin 430 and totally
change the airplane's utility, safety and capabilities. "
The 'future' is yours for $800 a month
While the package is " affordably priced, " Lee readily admits that few aircraft owners
are going to write a $40,000 check for avionics or anything else for that matter.
" Offering a financing option just makes perfect sense, " he said. " It enables aircraft
owners to upgrade their aircraft now, without the hassles of splitting up the installation
over two or three years, which adds complexity and cost to the overall project.
" Yes, you're going to pay some interest with the financing, but it will wash out
in terms of savings from having to redo some of the installation work. Not to
mention any price increases that will come on new equipment over the years. For
example, the owner puts 10% down; the monthly payments can be around $800
at current rates. "
Lee stressed that while the dual GI 275 and GFC 500 package is extremely popular, it's
not the only one for which the company can arrange financing.
" Our financing providers - Madison Capital and NAFCO, will handle pretty much any
avionics upgrade the owner wants to do, " he said. " These two lenders know the general
aviation business, so loan approvals are typically completed within two days. "
Harris added that financing avionics upgrades are nothing new - Forge Flightworks
has been offering it for years, but they're recently starting to actively promote it.
" People always talk like any aircraft upgrade is a cash-only transaction, which
puts many owners off, " he continued. " Like anything else you buy, financing is a
great option that allows you to do the work you want now while keeping your
budget in check. " q
avionics news * may 2023
35

Avionics News May 2023

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