Dave Butler writes:

I think given the class of airplane, you really need to consider
trading up to a more capable airplane before installing some of the
items on the list.

Yes, I agree -- the point of the exercise was just to get away from
absolute arguments about autopilots, IFR GPS, etc., and see how people
actually prioritize safety equipment on airplanes.

In real life, I may have to move up to an Archer or even a Six in a
few years anyway as my family grows, so I'll probably look for most of
what I need already installed in that. I may install a few of the
things near the top of my own list, but I'm waiting to prove to myself
that they're necessary. The Stormscope (probably used) and
wing-leveller (new) are the most likely candidates; an IFR GPS would
slip in only if I had to start cancelling trips or diverting to
alternates because of a lack of non-GPS approaches.

Go with the dual-rotor vacuum pump from http://www.aeroadvantage.com
instead. There just isn't a quality electric AI on the market that's
in the price range of what you'd want in a piston single.

I planned to do that when my previous pump failed in September, but
AeroAdvantage was quoting a shipping date more a month away and
talking as if it could be much longer -- I didn't want my plane to end
up grounded for most of the fall.

Wing leveller (or other general single-axis AP)

Yes, useful. Consider getting one that's independent of vacuum.

If I do this, I'll put in a new STEC 20, unless something better comes
along in the low price range before then.


All the best,


David