Flying with outdated avionics is a thing of the past…literally. With the advent of smartphones, smartwatches, smart TVs, and smart cars, it only makes sense to upgrade your avionics to smarter technology. And right now is easier and more cost-effective than ever. In fact, retrofit avionics upgrades are skyrocketing.
According to the Aircraft Electronics Association, sales flew past $2.3 billion in 2021. As a new record high, 2021's sales numbers represented a 6% increase over 2020's numbers. And a whopping 55% of the record sales in 2021 were sourced from the retrofit market. If you've been considering upgrading your avionics, now is a perfect time. Let's look at why.
Now Is the Perfect Time to Upgrade Your Avionics
As we previously mentioned, the overall market for retrofit avionics has drastically improved over the last 10 years. During this time, exciting new technology was ushered in that could transform your outdated cockpit into the modern marvel it was always meant to be. While prices have continued to decrease over the last 10 years because of technological advancements, new regulations have made it all but necessary to upgrade your outdated avionics.
For instance, in 2019 the FAA approved non-TSO'd autopilots in Part 23 airplanes — aircraft that weigh 19,000 pounds or less and have 19 or fewer passenger seats. The FAA replaced prescriptive requirements with performance-based standards paired with consensus-based compliance methods for specific technologies and designs.
In other words, the FAA now allows older, aging piston airplanes, such as the Piper Archer or Cessna Skylane, to upgrade to newer, more modern avionics. This means that you can enjoy the benefits of a more cost-efficient plane that has been enhanced by state-of-the-art glass displays, touchscreens, and autopilot systems of newer, more expensive aircraft. It's a win-win for pilots, empowering you to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Upgrade Your Cockpit, Elevate Every Flight with Modern Avionics
When it comes to updating your airplane's avionics, the possibilities are endless, and the sky is truly the limit. While a stand-alone, touchscreen display will add an immediate pop of flair and capabilities to your plane, a complete panel retrofit is the best way to elevate your performance to the next level. And the team at Sparkchasers will guide you through the process and help you choose the best solution for your aircraft and budget.
Garmin G500 TXi & G600 TXi Retrofit
At Sparkchasers, two of our most popular avionics retrofits are the Garmin G500 TXI and G600 TXI.
- The G500 TXI is designed for Part 23 Class I or Class II airplanes that are under 6,000 pounds.
- The G600 TXi is engineered for Class III aircraft that weigh up to 12,500 pounds.
Both of these world-class Garmin avionics systems incorporate ultra-responsive, glass touchscreens. This allows you to perform many of the same functions you've become accustomed to on your smartphone:
- Pinch-and-zoom,
- Single-finger zoom,
- Panning,
- And more.
Bolstered by blazing-fast processors and internal components, the Garmin avionics system offers lightning-quick chart and map rendering. Because the one-size-fits-all approach rarely works, you can choose from three different displays based on your needs and budget:
- A more economical 7-inch portrait display
- A cost-efficient 7-inch landscape display
- A larger 10.6-inch, landscape display that operates as an MFD, PFD, or optional integrated engine indication display.
Contact Sparkchasers to Get the Modern Cockpit You Deserve
The days of flying with outdated avionics are over. Whether you need to replace or fix older electromechanical instruments, you can now purchase a brand new state-of-the-art avionics system for around the same price as a mechanical replacement ADI. And the team at Sparkchasers can help. With more than 125 years of collective aviation experience, we are your trusted advisor and will guide you through the process.
Contact us today to explore your options and new heights.
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