Potential upgrade path for Cessna 310

Tx_Flyboy

Tx_Flyboy

Pre-Flight
Joined
Sep 15, 2011
Messages
50
Location
Texas
Display Name
Localizer
Need some steer here, especially from anyone that’s done a recent avionics install.

Currently, my panel consists of the following;

- Dual G5s (plus remaining flight instruments)
- Chelton EFIS PFD/MFD (no longer functioning as of last week).
- GMA 350 audio panel
- GNS 530W (buttons are already getting tough to push)
- Garmin SL-30
- Garmin GTX-330ES
- Bendix KT-74
- STEC-55x
- JP-790 display
- Round gage engine instruments on co-pilot side.

Thinking about the Garmin Axis…specifically, just the base model (116B) and chill for a bit…maybe sell the 530 for a GNC 355 or 650xi…down the line?

Idk what something like this would cost…chtgpt says $50k…seems like a lot.
 
Tx_Flyboy said:
Thinking about the Garmin Axis…specifically, just the base model (116B) and chill for a bit…maybe sell the 530 for a GNC 355 or 650xi…down the line?
Click to expand...
Axis is not currently STCd for the Cessna 310. I asked Garmin at Oshkosh and they had no idea when it will be.
 
turbosuper said:
Axis is not currently STCd for the Cessna 310. I asked Garmin at Oshkosh and they had no idea when it will be.
Click to expand...

Really?

I thought they were arc’s?

I also just tried looking for the stc document and of course can’t find it.
 
turbosuper said:
Axis is not currently STCd for the Cessna 310. I asked Garmin at Oshkosh and they had no idea when it will be.
Click to expand...
Huh? I just looked on the Approved Model List, and the 310 *is* on it:


At least, the 310E (military) and 310F (1961) and later are, all the way up to the latest 310R and T310R models. The 310 "nothing" and the 310A through 310D are not.
 
Tx_Flyboy said:
Need some steer here, especially from anyone that’s done a recent avionics install.

Currently, my panel consists of the following;

- Dual G5s (plus remaining flight instruments)
- Chelton EFIS PFD/MFD (no longer functioning as of last week).
- GMA 350 audio panel
- GNS 530W (buttons are already getting tough to push)
- Garmin SL-30
- Garmin GTX-330ES
- Bendix KT-74
- STEC-55x
- JP-790 display
- Round gage engine instruments on co-pilot side.

Thinking about the Garmin Axis…specifically, just the base model (116B) and chill for a bit…maybe sell the 530 for a GNC 355 or 650xi…down the line?

Idk what something like this would cost…chtgpt says $50k…seems like a lot.
Click to expand...

With a GPS that's dying and unsupported, I'd at least go for the 116C, possibly the 116NC depending on whether you want to be down to one nav radio. With Axis, you're better off using the components that are built-in (IFR GPS, audio panel, nav, com) if you can, just to keep installation cheaper. With a good-sized twin like the 310, putting in a GNC355 or 650Xi is going to make it look like you were cheaping out when it comes time to sell, which may make it more difficult.

I'd keep one of your G5s for backup, maybe throw the other one on the right side, put in a 116C with EIS, keep the 350 (Axis audio panels are only 4 place for some inexplicable reason...), keep the SL-30, add a GTX345 to get ADS-B In that can be used with Axis, keep the S-TEC 55X at least for now. Ditch the Chelton, 530W, transponders, and JPI.

If you really want to go all out - two or three Axis displays, 345, G5, new autopilot. :D
 
flyingcheesehead said:
With a GPS that's dying and unsupported, I'd at least go for the 116C, possibly the 116NC depending on whether you want to be down to one nav radio. With Axis, you're better off using the components that are built-in (IFR GPS, audio panel, nav, com) if you can, just to keep installation cheaper. With a good-sized twin like the 310, putting in a GNC355 or 650Xi is going to make it look like you were cheaping out when it comes time to sell, which may make it more difficult.

I'd keep one of your G5s for backup, maybe throw the other one on the right side, put in a 116C with EIS, keep the 350 (Axis audio panels are only 4 place for some inexplicable reason...), keep the SL-30, add a GTX345 to get ADS-B In that can be used with Axis, keep the S-TEC 55X at least for now. Ditch the Chelton, 530W, transponders, and JPI.

If you really want to go all out - two or three Axis displays, 345, G5, new autopilot. :D
Click to expand...

If I won the lottery maybe…

Could the panel upgrade be done sequentially?


Was kinda thinking;

2 116B screens
Garmin 650xi
Garmin 375
Keep dual G5s, STEC-55x, and 330ES (backup to 375?)

Or
2 Axis 116B screens
Used Avidyne 540/550
Garmin 175
Keep 330ES

Would sell the 530W, JPI 790 screens and probes maybe i don’t need dual transponders so sell the 330ES?
 
Tx_Flyboy said:
If I won the lottery maybe…

Could the panel upgrade be done sequentially?
Click to expand...
It can, it just costs a lot more money to do it that way because the install cost is way higher with the separate components.

For example, your first piecemeal example:
2 116Bs: $9600 each ($19,200)
650Xi: $14,995
GNX375: $9395
Total equipment cost: $43,590 - Not including installation hardware and labor, which will be more with this setup than with the axis.

Getting the same capability with Axis:
116NC display/GPS/Nav/Com: $23,400
116B secondary display: $9,600
GTX345: $6595
Equipment cost not including installation hardware/labor: $39,595. So you're already ahead $4K on equipment, plus the installation will cost less - There's nothing to wire between the GPS/Nav/Com and the screen, for example, because they're in the same unit. Considering it costs around $5K just for installation on an IFR GPS alone (and frankly, that experience is from well before the pandemic so it'll be much more now) you'll be way ahead by getting the displays that have the stuff built in. The all-in-one nature of the Axis displays makes a pretty compelling case for an all-at-once (or at least more-at-once) upgrade.

If you're OK with only having one Nav radio, the 116C is $5,000 cheaper than the 116NC and the Nav radio is the only difference between the two. Keep the SL30 and you'll still have one.

BTW, regarding transponders - A lot of older cabin-class piston twins have two transponders because they were used for charter, older transponders were unreliable and they wanted to be sure they didn't get stuck away from home if one failed. They're required in class A, B, and C airspace and above 10,000 feet. With today's technology for a personal use airplane, a second transponder is *way* overkill IMO. I'd get a 345 if you want the ADS-B In, and be done with it. No reason to keep the 330ES IMO. However, that is a part of the upgrade you could do later if you wanted, as there's no transponder in the Axis. I'd just advise that you let the installer know that's your plan so that they can wire it up while they're in there. They might even be able to wire it in such a way that it's a slide-in upgrade later.

Tx_Flyboy said:
Was kinda thinking;

2 116B screens
Garmin 650xi
Garmin 375
Keep dual G5s, STEC-55x, and 330ES (backup to 375?)
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top