rc allen 2600-3 electronic attitude indicator

jbgood8

Filing Flight Plan
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jbgood
anyone have experience with this unit? like reliability, accuracy, time between overhauls?
repair history? not interested in glass.want to preserve my round gauge look in my experimental.
thank you for any and all replys larry
 
Have had one in my Mooney for 6-months. Very easy install, works just fine. As far as maintenance and long term reliability we shall see.
 
Just to mention two alternative products, in case you didn't already dismiss them. AV-30 for $750 less can be put in decluttered AI mode and look traditional. And for $750 more, GI 275 in AI mode only looks great too.
 
anyone have experience with this unit? like reliability, accuracy, time between overhauls?
repair history?
If you don't need the flexibility of the competitors models plus a few extra bucks, it's been a solid performer in several aircraft I installed them in. No issues in that 2-4 years. While a bit more to purchase the install is basically plug and play vs the other types which should equalize the investment cost. And no complaints on their support the few times I did call.
 
My Lance has one. Works fine. Wish it was auto dimming. I believe it was installed in 2012 or so. If its been out since then, it wasn't logged. It actually does a better job showing minute bank angles than the vacuum driven primary. Seems to be a good unit if you just need a basic ai.
 
I just bought one to replace my BF Goodrich mechanical unit which is 19 years old, and starting to develop "erectile dysfunction". Looks like a very easy install in my airplane. I'll report back after I use it for a while.
 
Here is a look at mine in situ.

Installation is dirt simple. Power, ground, and 4 screws. Self-levels for pitch. For roll, leave screws loose, level aircraft, level instrument, and tighten screws.

Seems very accurate and stable. Does seem to get momentarily out of calibration when I maneuver aggressively, but "aggressive" for me means 80 degree bank angle. No big deal, just leans about 10 degrees off, but levels itself within a minute or so.

I removed my TC, so I needed the slip ball. Works fine but I wish it were bigger. The RCA is the only electronic AHI with an analog ball. I don't trust the electronic slip indicators. Don't ask me why, no reason, just doesn't seem like something that should be electronic.

Overall, good piece of equipment. Like I said, if I had a do-over I would probably go with the AV-30, just so I could get an HSI in the same device. But that is not a knock on the RCA, and if you already get those inputs from other devices, then the RCA would be fine. I bought mine used for $1500. They are overpriced new, IMO.


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I put one in a few months ago so I could take my vacuum system out. I saved 24 lbs for anyone interested in doing the same.
 
Would this or a similar electric AI meet the legal requirements that a T/C or separate AI does in backing up a G5 setup?
 
I would think it backs up any certified AI HIS set up. Ask your avionics guy.
 
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