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Avionics

Budget IFR Upgrades: Used Garmin 430W Wins

Well cut to the chase. The typical basic ground-up IFR avionics upgrade is going to approach, if not exceed, $20,000. This wont buy an autopilot or primary flight display, so youre stuck with steam gauges unless you can spend around $35,000. Sadly, weve witnessed enough buyer remorse over the years when owners upgrade entry-level aircraft for IFR on the cheap. Whether its an unsupported IFR GPS found on eBay or passing on a PFD that can save money in the long term, its imperative to price all options before pulling the trigger on the upgrade, including pricing flagship packages.

Larry Anglisano
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Edited By:

Omar Filipovic

Well cut to the chase. The typical basic ground-up IFR avionics upgrade is going to approach, if not exceed, $20,000. This wont buy an autopilot or primary flight display, so youre stuck with steam gauges unless you can spend around $35,000.

Sadly, weve witnessed enough buyer remorse over the years when owners upgrade entry-level aircraft for IFR on the cheap. Whether its an unsupported IFR GPS found on eBay or passing on a PFD that can save money in the long term, its imperative to price all options before pulling the trigger on the upgrade, including pricing flagship packages.

Larry Anglisano

Editor in Chief Larry Anglisano has been a staple at Aviation Consumer since 1995. An active land, sea and glider pilot, Larry has over 30 years’ experience as an avionics repairman and flight test pilot. He’s the editorial director overseeing sister publications Aviation Safety magazine, IFR magazine and is a regular contributor to KITPLANES magazine with his Avionics Bootcamp column.