Thread: Redundancy

Hi all,

I am liking everything that I am reading about the CT's and I have a question about the avionics. The planes that I have owned including my current plane have two radio's, dual GPS's, Twin VOR's, etc. In other words there is equipment to lean on if one piece goes bad. From looking at the panel pictures of the SW and the LS there seems to be one of what you need but no back-ups. My question is what do folks here do for some redundancy in their avionics? Did I miss something in the photos?

Even though I have the duals I still carry a hand held radio and GPS in case the electrical system takes a powder. The GPS works well, but even on its best day the radio has limited range and usefulness. I will set up a test flight for myself when the weather gets a little better and will likely own an SW or LS by summer based on my research and the education I am getting around here. The one thing that does concern me so far is the lack of a dual anything should it all hit the fan.

What are the kinds of things that you all do for that safety factor.

Thanks for the help,
RP

Since the plane is a "day VFR - LSA aircraft", I don't see a need for dual redundancy in the panel. You really don't want the weigt either. With that said, I carry an additional hand held NAVCOM radio (ICOM), a hand held GPS (Garmin) and an altimeter watch (Casio) that also has a compass. Those have pretty much everything needed for getting on the ground if needed. I understand your desire since I came from a 182 with dual G1000's. I felt intimidated at first also. The SL30 has a couple of great buttons on it that even the G1000 didn't- a simple flipflop, but with a "monitor" button that allows you to listen into the ATIS and stuff while never leaving your other channel. Pretty neat!

John

dual gps works well, panel mounted or handheld. a handheld radio, not so well but better then nothing.

the garmin com raido that monitors the standby is very reliable and functions about as well as 2 com radios.

Better to have a handheld com, and handheld GPS if you really want redundancy. The weight of a second com is not worth it now that the SL 40 an SL 30 can monitor a second frequency. These new radios are very reliable. The only thing that ever seems to fail them is low voltage on the avionics bus. In this case your only good backup would be a handheld.

John

John and all,

I guess it is more about the workflow that I am used to right now. I look up the frequencies I will need en route and have them ready. This really helps in the crowded airspace around Palo Alto with the SFO Bravo and San Jose Charlie + Military all around us. Being able to monitor another channel is helpful. Does anyone know of a CT that has installed something like a GNS430 or is that just too heavy a piece of equipment to even consider on one of these planes? It would take the place of the 496 et.al and give an additional com.

One other thing while I have you all, is there an option for GPSS steering on the A/P? And please excuse this pilot for the simple questions. I am looking to simplify my flying life, hence my interest in the CT's, but all I have ever flown or trained in are IFR capable aircraft stuffed with avionics.

Hi Redpenny, My CT has a Trutrac AP. 2 axis with altitude hold. I have the GPSS capibility through the 496. It will fly the whole route you have dialed in or even fly the GPS approach fixes. What it will not do is automatically decend, but you can input your fpm decend or climb manually and hit the whole approach. Very nice feature for very little cost. You would not be disappointed in the CT, trust me.

there are new avionics options these days.

my old panel has an integrated gps/ap/efis.

panel_2ct.jpg

Hi RP,

Yes there are CT's with GNS430's installed, the panel actually has quite a bit of room so its really a question of how much stuff you want. The new Dynon Skyviews have a seperate GPS module option I think that can be used seperatly from the Garmin so with that you would have 2 GPS receivers. The SL-40 and 30 have the monitor function so you have second VHF receiver built in. The Dynon and Garmin 396/496 have a battery backup system that is good for about 1-2 hours, so if you carry a small handheld VHF you would have pretty good redundancy even with a total elctrical failure, at least enough to get you around some airspace and to an airport. All gadgets add weight reducing your useful load, but depending on the type of flying and environment your flying in it may well be worth the sacrifice. The nice thing about the CT is even when you drop 6-10 gals of fuel to stay under the max gross, there is still plenty to get you 3-4hrs of flight time.

Regards
Eric Swisher
Copper City Aviation Services

I agree with Eric and the others, the battery backup on the Garmin and the 496 are comforting. I also carry a handheld radio.

Mike, Charlie and Eric

Thanks for the info. I really enjoy the GPSS steering I have now and it is good to know the 496 will do the job. Charlie, that is a really nice display you have on the left. I recall seeing this or another display very much like it at AOPA. Is it a Blue Mountain?
Eric, great info, the ability to have a second frequency monitored is so handy for ATIS, ground to tower, or just having the next NorCal approach freq ready to go. And there does look like there is plenty of room to do whatever with load trade-offs.
And I don't know about anyone else, but after 3-4 hours I am ready to get out of the plane, stretch, and find a bathroom!, so that much range is more than enough between hops.