Ted
The pilot formerly known as Twin Engine Ted
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2007
- Messages
- 29,889
- Display Name
Display name:
iFlyNothing
When I bought my Aztec, I knew right off that I was going to be doing some upgrades of the audio panel. Here's how it came initially:
An HSI, a Garmin 150XL VFR GPS, Garmin 340, Garmin 327, and dual KX170Bs. The reality was this was part of what attracted me to the plane, as the parts that were good were exactly what I wanted, and the parts that needed upgrading were still functional, rather than some radios that I didn't like but couldn't justify any upgrading of. Also, both KX170Bs have glide slopes.
I managed to find a good deal on a KLN 94 IFR GPS (moving map and can do non-precision approaches) and KX155A that came out of a Skyhawk 172SP that received a 430W. While I would have preferred a 430W, of course, the significantly lower cost made this attractive. While in there, the avionics shop did some rewiring of the audio panel, added the proper music jacks, and a few other details that needed to be done. Pictures of the completed installation are below:
I've been very happy with the end result. The KX155A has the feature of allowing you to use the screen as a CDI, or else it will tell you your radial to or from the VOR you have entered. This is great as I like to cross check my position while flying with VORs, so now I can use both NAVs for this. The KLN 94 is an easy-to-use unit, the main two negatives of it are that I don't have WAAS and it won't crossfeed into a 496, but I don't figure on buying a 496 anyway, there are other options that I think I'm far more likely to buy.
I also made an exchange of the #2 KX170B for an MX170 digital rebuild, which is a radio I've had in every other airplane I've flown regularly. I'm leaving the ADF in the Aztec until such time as it actually breaks, and I do like having it. The one thing that I'd like for it (but can't see doing anytime soon) is adding a DME. For some reason, the one that was in this plane some years back was removed and never replaced. I've kept the #1 KX170B is a spare for the #2 NAV/COM, and the glide slope that came with it I've kept as a spare for that as well.
I was hoping to have this done in time for Gaston's, but timing didn't work out, so it was done afterwards. I've been flying this setup for close to a month and a half now, and it's been great.
An HSI, a Garmin 150XL VFR GPS, Garmin 340, Garmin 327, and dual KX170Bs. The reality was this was part of what attracted me to the plane, as the parts that were good were exactly what I wanted, and the parts that needed upgrading were still functional, rather than some radios that I didn't like but couldn't justify any upgrading of. Also, both KX170Bs have glide slopes.
I managed to find a good deal on a KLN 94 IFR GPS (moving map and can do non-precision approaches) and KX155A that came out of a Skyhawk 172SP that received a 430W. While I would have preferred a 430W, of course, the significantly lower cost made this attractive. While in there, the avionics shop did some rewiring of the audio panel, added the proper music jacks, and a few other details that needed to be done. Pictures of the completed installation are below:
I've been very happy with the end result. The KX155A has the feature of allowing you to use the screen as a CDI, or else it will tell you your radial to or from the VOR you have entered. This is great as I like to cross check my position while flying with VORs, so now I can use both NAVs for this. The KLN 94 is an easy-to-use unit, the main two negatives of it are that I don't have WAAS and it won't crossfeed into a 496, but I don't figure on buying a 496 anyway, there are other options that I think I'm far more likely to buy.
I also made an exchange of the #2 KX170B for an MX170 digital rebuild, which is a radio I've had in every other airplane I've flown regularly. I'm leaving the ADF in the Aztec until such time as it actually breaks, and I do like having it. The one thing that I'd like for it (but can't see doing anytime soon) is adding a DME. For some reason, the one that was in this plane some years back was removed and never replaced. I've kept the #1 KX170B is a spare for the #2 NAV/COM, and the glide slope that came with it I've kept as a spare for that as well.
I was hoping to have this done in time for Gaston's, but timing didn't work out, so it was done afterwards. I've been flying this setup for close to a month and a half now, and it's been great.
