Dave Butler wrote:
Martin Kosina wrote:

Robert M. Gary wrote:

After having both a vac pump failure and an AI failure (not on the
same flight ) I decided its really time for a backup.



I had a similar revelation recently, after a challenging IPC at night
and a quiet reflection on a AI that did fail one me, albeit on a nice
day. Did lot of soul searching and decided to postpone a GPS upgrade
in favor of some attitude information backup first.

Dave Butler wrote:


FWIW, I have an electric AI in my Mooney and I wouldn't do it again.
It's expensive, failure prone, and too far out of my scan to be
useful as a backup.



Did you have a lot of problems with the electric AI ? I am also
considering one (the dual pumps sound promising, but still don't back
up the gyro...), so I am curious how they hold up (the RCA-26 series
or the non-TSO'd Falcon, the AIM / Midcontinet stuff is just too
expensive). I heard mixed reviews on the RC Allen, some people have
had them for years without any problems and some claim they they don't
hold up as well as quality vacuum gyros.


The electric gyro in my Mooney was installed before I bought into the
partnership, so I don't know all the details, but I think it's been in
there about 10 years or so, and has been overhauled twice. Each overhaul
cost about the same as the original purchase price.

Sorry, I don't know which brand it is. If I can find out, I'll post it.

Followup after talking to one of my partners: We're pretty sure it's an RC
Allen. It's been in a little longer than I thought, more like 12 years instead
of 10. It's been repaired twice in the 12 years. The first time was relatively
reasonable and cost a few hundred dollars. The second time was over a thousand
and was called an 'overhaul'. The overhaul was done by Kelly Instruments. My
partner's feeling is that the reliability and repair cost was no different from
any typical gyro. The net is that maybe it's not as bad as I thought.


The installation in my airplane is over on the copilot's side, so it's
way out of my scan and therefore pretty much worthless. I'd go partial
panel with the turn coordinator and mag compass before I'd try to use a
gauge so far out of my scan. If you install an electric, be sure to put
it where you can see it.

Dave
Remove SHIRT to reply directly.


Re Falcon, I strongly considered the possibility (337 or not), but
with a custom tilt they are over $1100 (Chief), not *that* cheap
considering a brand new RCA goes for $1650 at the discounters (like
Spruce), factory tilt included and less paperwork hassle. Still, $500
is money, so if they are OK, might be worth considering. There seems
to be very little info on them besides the manufacturer,
unfortunately....

Thanks,

Martin





--
Dave Butler, software engineer 919-392-4367