Avionic Upgrade on a FTB337G Reims 1974

[n86121]

My questions for you

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TRANSPONDER 340
Can you see the trafic on your I pad on forflight or skydemon ?

......ANSWER
As I understand it the 340 transponder is JUST a mode S ES ads-b OUT transponder
Skytrax 200 is what pulls everything IN together:
uat, mode s, mode S es, and active traffic, all into one coherent picture

And yes, using the wifi from the 550, everything is visible, both ON the 550 and foreflight

Avidyne also uses 'open' wifi protocols, so will work with anything.
At this point Garmin and Foreflight are limiting what hardware you can buy.

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ELIMINATE VACUUM
As I have a Garmin 430 I would like to add a IFD 550. Can I then eliminate the vacum pump ?

.........ANSWER
Not sure, but would seem to make sense.

BUT, vacuum pumps on twins don't work as hard as singles, and are also redundant.
I still like my vacuum gauges: No need for a MFD in front of me repeating the AHARS.
In the unlikely event the panel goes dark, I still have a 100% independent source of flight information.

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AUTOPILOT
I have An autopilote STEC 55 x , can I use it with avydine product ?

..........ANSWER -
I expect so.
The Avidyne stuff interfaces to most anything from this century.
I even have it driving my CDI, which drives Ye Olde Navomatic 400A autopilot just fine.
No vertical guidance, but that saves $35k for a new autopilot.
And frankly, on descent, I'd prefer to be 'in the loop.'

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FUEL TOTALIZER
Concerning the engines monitor, with you shadin , do you have gaz gauges also ?
Did you keep the old gauges ?

....ANSWER
I currently have the shadin twin with its own display.
Similar information is ALSO presented in the 440 or 540 utilities page

If I did not already have the shadin for fuel flow,
I might consider a JPI 790 engine analyzer instead, with fuel flow.
That can also feed the fuel data into the avidynes

BUT. so far in 25+ years I haven't felt the need for an engine analyzer.
The exhaust sensors are thermocouples in the path of a torch, so not perfect.
With two inline engines, there's not much that will take me down.

The only 'threat' from a 337 engine is that it provides a thermal target for a surface or air launched infra-red locking missile, ...which an engine analyzer cannot address..

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ANGLE OF ATTACK
I would like an Angle of attack instrument , do you know if the IFD 550 has this option ?

ANS -
Not that I am aware.
Now that you mention it, my old IM, MM and OM area could now hold one. Hmmmm.
I was a heli-chopter owner pilot first, which is all by seat of the pants.
But I DO have an RSTOL....
But I also have a good feel for it, so the gauge might be nice, but rarely critical.

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Any other advises ?

Think about what actually enhances your mission,
what coould change your operational decision making,
at what cost.

Recognize anything added beyond that,
that doesn't change your capability,
is just being indulgent,
.....which is just fine too!


Thanks

Alain
__________________
Alain
+41 79 266 2000