Pireps on Avionics

They probably meant dealers do have specials, but nobody installs anything.

Robbie S. wrote:
I am planning to put some avionics in a C182 I bought (Garmin GNS430,
GMA340, 106A etc.). Someone made a remark that if I go to Oshkosh this
year, I could probably get it done quite inexpensively while I am there.

Please let me know if anyone has had any good/bad experience with this ?

...Robbie.

They probably meant dealers do have specials, but nobody installs
anything.

Which, IMHO, is a huge opportunity at OSH.

For example, most large motorcycle rallies (like Americade in New York -- a
rough parallel to OSH for aircraft) offer similar savings on accessories
(they even have GPS, just like we do) -- but, most importantly, they offer
to install the stuff ON THE SPOT.

I've often wondered why some enterprising young avionics tech doesn't take
this to heart, and offer a "mobile installation" option. They could drive
their van out to your plane in the North 40, and install your new toys, for
a fee.

I'll bet they would clean up.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Jay Honeck wrote:
I've often wondered why some enterprising young avionics tech doesn't take
this to heart, and offer a "mobile installation" option. They could drive
their van out to your plane in the North 40, and install your new toys, for
a fee.

I'd be surprised if someone isn't doing just that, but I have to admit that I've
never actually seen it done there.

As a potential buyer of the service, I'd be skeptical of the warranty issues.

Dave

As a potential buyer of the service, I'd be skeptical of the warranty
issues.

True enough. To combat this, the service would have to be offered
under the auspices of one of the big avionics houses, like Pacific
Coast Avionics. That way any warranty problems could be addressed.

The service would obviously have to be limited to relatively simple
jobs, like replacing an existing com, or adding back seat jacks to an
existing intercom -- that sort of minor alteration. You obviously
wouldn't want to be adding radar or a GNS-530 while camped out in the
North 40.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Until EAA got wind of it.
You know as well as I do they would want THEIR cut of any payment for
services.
Then of course there are the other aviation businesses based on the
field that would complain about the gypsy mechanics/techs taking THEIR
business.

They probably meant dealers do have specials, but nobody installs
anything.

Jay Honeck wrote:
Which, IMHO, is a huge opportunity at OSH
For example, most large motorcycle rallies (like Americade in New York -- a
rough parallel to OSH for aircraft) offer similar savings on accessories
(they even have GPS, just like we do) -- but, most importantly, they offer
to install the stuff ON THE SPOT.
I've often wondered why some enterprising young avionics tech doesn't take
this to heart, and offer a "mobile installation" option. They could drive
their van out to your plane in the North 40, and install your new toys, for
a fee.
I'll bet they would clean up.

Jay Honeck wrote:

I've often wondered why some enterprising young avionics tech doesn't take
this to heart, and offer a "mobile installation" option. They could drive
their van out to your plane in the North 40, and install your new toys, for
a fee.

For one thing, the EAA would almost certainly want a cut, which would increase
the price right there. For another thing, if a tech goes into the field to
install something, the job usually becomes more difficult, and the tech
naturally charges more. There are great benefits to being able to walk into your
storeroom for something or do some of the work at your bench that you can't hope
to obtain working out of a van. Of course, if your "van" is something the size
of a large U-haul, maybe it would work out, but even then, you have gas
expenses.

Logically, equipment installation at Oshkosh would cost you more than getting it
done when you get home, not less.

George Patterson
I prefer Heaven for climate but Hell for company.

Logically, equipment installation at Oshkosh would cost you more than
getting it
done when you get home, not less.

Well, in theory anyway, one could keep the price low because of the
expected volume -- despite the valid problems you mention.

You would think that the avionics tech in question might install more
nav/coms in one week at OSH than they would in 6 months of sitting
around their shop.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Jay Honeck wrote:

You would think that the avionics tech in question might install more
nav/coms in one week at OSH than they would in 6 months of sitting
around their shop.

Maybe yours sits around -- mine doesn't. He has all the business he can handle.

Come to think of it, I'm not sure I want something installed by a tech who has
to go to Oshkosh to drum up business.

George Patterson
I prefer Heaven for climate but Hell for company.

You would think that the avionics tech in question might install more
nav/coms in one week at OSH than they would in 6 months of sitting
around their shop.

Maybe yours sits around -- mine doesn't. He has all the business he can
handle.

Come to think of it, I'm not sure I want something installed by a tech who
has
to go to Oshkosh to drum up business.

Hmmm...good point. I guess they really do have all the work they need.

Which points out another problem -- *why* is there a shortage of avionics
techs? The two shops near Iowa City are always backed up.

Of course, after spending a few hours under the panel of my (or any) plane,
I'd go running into the night -- so I guess I know the answer...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Jay Honeck" wrote:
Which points out another problem -- *why* is there a shortage of
avionics techs? The two shops near Iowa City are always backed up.

An avionics shop that is not "backed up" at least 2-4 weeks has a
serious backlog problem and needs to lay people off.

In that kind of business there are only two backlog situations: too much
and not enough. Not enough is a disaster; a well run shop always has
too much. By that I mean it is never in danger of having to lay off
employees due to a couple of cancellations. Layoffs are hell on a
highly trained staff; costly and damaging to morale. The worst thing a
shop installation manager can see is the light at the end of the backlog
tunnel.
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM