After years of renting I bought my first airplane, a 1947 Stinson 108-2, in 2021. It checked all the boxes for me, except one: the ability to build instrument proficiency.
I did some upgrades each year and last week I was pretty excited to fly the first approach in actual in a plane I owned. I figured I’d share the transition in case people here are interested.
How it stated:
First upgrade:
Second upgrade:
Third upgrade:
I did some upgrades each year and last week I was pretty excited to fly the first approach in actual in a plane I owned. I figured I’d share the transition in case people here are interested.
How it stated:
- Venturi-driven AI and DG, both a little suspect
- SL40 comm, doubling as an intercom for front seats
- King KT76 transponder, tailBeacon for ADS-B
- VFR-only GPS296
First upgrade:
- Add audio panel to get back seat intercom
- Add used SL30 to have a second radio (and future VOR/ILS)
Second upgrade:
- Replace KT76, venturi attitude indicator, and tailBeacon with AV-30 and tailBeaconX. This solved multiple problems - replaced sketchy venturi AI and opened up a spot for a GPS. Just removing the GPS296 wouldn’t have worked, there’s no depth in that location
- Add GPS-175
- Not entirely by coincidence, I started working for uAvionix while planning this upgrade. I ended up installing second AV-30 and AV-Mag
Third upgrade:
- Added AV-HSI accessory to get IFR lateral guidance and glideslope on the AV-30
- Replaced vertical speed indicator with third AV-30. Not at all required, but I got spoiled flying company planes with dedicated traffic displays.
