themistocles
New Member
Greetings from wintry Buenos Aires.
I own a Cessna 150M with a 115 HP Lycoming O235 and long range tanks. This airplane is a trainer at a flight school and, given its performance, it is often used for long trips. Right now, the instrument panel looks like the attached picture. As you can see, it has all steam gauges, a rather modern COM radio (compared to the plane), an outdated NAV/COM radio and a portable GPS (also outdated). The plane is not IFR certified nor I want it to.
I was considering installing a Skyview but, after looking at the specs and reviewing this forum, I have some questions.
I was thinking of installing a 10 inch screen on the left side and the backup D10 on the right of the radio stack. The analog altimeter, speedometer and variometer could also be moved to the right. I might do away with the portable GPS and place the transponder in its place. I was thinking of installing the engine monitoring module as well. One of the main golas is to ditch the vacuum pump, which has been problematic in the past.
I believe this setup would enhance the capabilities of the plane, because it would make long trips easier, bestow almost IFR capabilities (mostly for training, not for actual flying in weather) and pique the interest of the flying community at my airport, where it would be a truly unique airplane. Also, the possibility of displaying the traditional six-pack means that it could be used to train student pilots, if need be. Basically, the goal is to be able to walk up to the plane, upload a flightplan made with ForeFlight to the system and fly in visual conditions or simulated IFR conditions.
Now, regarding cost, I know you might say it's not worth to spend close to 10k on a 25k airplane, but you have to keep in mind that airplane ownership is much more expensive in Argentina, so a Cessna 150 in good condition can cost about 60 to 70k. At that price point, a 10k avionics upgrade does not soud so ridiculous. Also, fuel costs are much higher here, so everybody flies the absolute smallest airplane they can (about 90% of the trainer fleet is Cessna 150s and the rest is Pipistrels or Tecnams). In that context, having an engine monitor that can help with leaning the mixture is most welcome.
However, these are my questions.
1-I understand that the Skyview can provide its own GPS signal and a panel-mounted GPS is not required, at least for VFR flights. Is that right? Would I lose any functionality, other than IFR certification, which I don't want anyway? Would I still be able to load maps of South America, for example? Use elevation charts, etc?
2-Is it possible for the Skyview to interface with the existing NAV radio to display VOR information? Or does it need a specific radio? Or it doesn't do it at all?
3-Would there be a problem if the airplane shell is one model (Cessna 150M) but the engine is not standard (Lycomng O360)? The plane is certificated with the new engine and it can legally be used for training; it's not considered "experimental". But I'm not sure the Skyview system can be set up for that unusual combination. In any case, the plane is functionally identical to a Cessna 152, but legally it is still classified as a Cessna 150M.
Any input on these queries is most welcome.
I own a Cessna 150M with a 115 HP Lycoming O235 and long range tanks. This airplane is a trainer at a flight school and, given its performance, it is often used for long trips. Right now, the instrument panel looks like the attached picture. As you can see, it has all steam gauges, a rather modern COM radio (compared to the plane), an outdated NAV/COM radio and a portable GPS (also outdated). The plane is not IFR certified nor I want it to.
I was considering installing a Skyview but, after looking at the specs and reviewing this forum, I have some questions.
I was thinking of installing a 10 inch screen on the left side and the backup D10 on the right of the radio stack. The analog altimeter, speedometer and variometer could also be moved to the right. I might do away with the portable GPS and place the transponder in its place. I was thinking of installing the engine monitoring module as well. One of the main golas is to ditch the vacuum pump, which has been problematic in the past.
I believe this setup would enhance the capabilities of the plane, because it would make long trips easier, bestow almost IFR capabilities (mostly for training, not for actual flying in weather) and pique the interest of the flying community at my airport, where it would be a truly unique airplane. Also, the possibility of displaying the traditional six-pack means that it could be used to train student pilots, if need be. Basically, the goal is to be able to walk up to the plane, upload a flightplan made with ForeFlight to the system and fly in visual conditions or simulated IFR conditions.
Now, regarding cost, I know you might say it's not worth to spend close to 10k on a 25k airplane, but you have to keep in mind that airplane ownership is much more expensive in Argentina, so a Cessna 150 in good condition can cost about 60 to 70k. At that price point, a 10k avionics upgrade does not soud so ridiculous. Also, fuel costs are much higher here, so everybody flies the absolute smallest airplane they can (about 90% of the trainer fleet is Cessna 150s and the rest is Pipistrels or Tecnams). In that context, having an engine monitor that can help with leaning the mixture is most welcome.
However, these are my questions.
1-I understand that the Skyview can provide its own GPS signal and a panel-mounted GPS is not required, at least for VFR flights. Is that right? Would I lose any functionality, other than IFR certification, which I don't want anyway? Would I still be able to load maps of South America, for example? Use elevation charts, etc?
2-Is it possible for the Skyview to interface with the existing NAV radio to display VOR information? Or does it need a specific radio? Or it doesn't do it at all?
3-Would there be a problem if the airplane shell is one model (Cessna 150M) but the engine is not standard (Lycomng O360)? The plane is certificated with the new engine and it can legally be used for training; it's not considered "experimental". But I'm not sure the Skyview system can be set up for that unusual combination. In any case, the plane is functionally identical to a Cessna 152, but legally it is still classified as a Cessna 150M.
Any input on these queries is most welcome.
