Do you really need all that?
Today’s newer aircraft offer full glass panels. Each screen offers more information than the entire panel of older aircraft. Since glass is becoming more and more common many pilots and potential owners assume they need all that digital technology to legally fly, but you don’t.
This assumption has led some first-time buyers to purchase aircraft that are over-equipped, and over budget, for their actual needs.
Stay focused on the mission you are buying your aircraft for. If you are looking for an aircraft for time building, or for a fun weekend joy ride, don’t get distracted by glass panels and fancy avionics.
While these are nice and I wouldn’t discourage you from buying a nicely upgraded aircraft, if you are on a budget, avionics is one of the easiest ways to blow past it.
Keep to what is required for your current mission, not what you “might” need years down the road.
Doing this will save you a lot of money both now and in the future because what is shiny and great today, may be obsolete by the time you actually need it.
VFR or IFR
Most buyers, especially first-timers usually do not need a twin with a full glass panel and Flight Into Know Icing (FIKI) capability, but you would be surprised how quickly some buyers start down this path.
Don’t let your eyes get bigger than your wallet!
The two most common requirements for first-time aircraft buyers are usually price… and price. If you are looking to build time, fly for fun, or get started in aircraft ownership you don’t need a fully loaded aircraft. Therefore, a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) capable aircraft is sufficient. But what is VFR?
VFR in short, means you fly while always maintaining visual contact with the ground. The weather conditions necessary to legally fly VFR are found in CAR 602.114, and the aircraft equipment requirements can be found in CAR 605.14. The minimum equipment for a single engine, fixed pitch propeller aircraft are:
· Altimeter
· Airspeed Indicator
· Magnetic Compass
· Tachometer (for each engine, constant speed prop, or rotor)
· Oil Pressure Indicator
· Coolant Temperature Indicator for liquid-cooled engines
· Oil Temperature Indicator
· Fuel Quantity Indicators
That’s it!
Not a lot of equipment when you look at it. So, what does this mean? It means you don’t need a brand-new Cirrus, Piper, or Cessna with a full glass panel to get into flying.
Looking at the list above, some small basic aircraft meet these requirements, such as this Piper J3 panel.
Notice how the list does not mention electronics. If you intend to fly around in good weather in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace, then you do not need avionics or even an electrical system.
This means no radio, transponder, or lights are necessary. The Piper cub panel fits this description. Some pilots consider this the ultimate freedom of flight, no other noise than the wind sailing past your cabin and the purr of your engine.
Other pilots are uneasy about this concept. They want to be able to contact other aircraft or ATC for spacing, safety, or emergency reasons. They also like their lights to increase their visibility to other aircraft.
Each owner is different and to each their own.
Now, for the pilots that need, or want, to fly in controlled airspace. To be legally able to do so they require two more pieces of equipment. A radio capable of two-way communication, and a Mode C Transponder.
Below is a picture of a Cessna 140 panel. It is similar to the cub in that it is very basic, but this aircraft has an electrical system, and this panel has a single radio and transponder (bottom left of panel). This aircraft can now be flown in controlled airspace
When choosing an aircraft for purchase, before you jump into the avionics package look at the major items.
· What is its overall condition
· How was it flow (commercially, privately) and how often
· How has it been maintained (what are the aircraft and component times)
· Are the logbooks in order
· How was the aircraft stored
Looking into these questions will usually find any major concerns. If the above items are in order, then it’s time to look at additional items such as avionics and other features you need for your mission or items you want and comfortably afford.
Now, if you are planning to fly in Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and bad weather, then you will need to consider more advanced avionics as a necessity. The same principle applies here, if a more basic GPS unit covers your need, you don’t need a full panel mount display unless, of course, you can comfortably afford one. It all comes down to your mission.
Aviation and aircraft ownership can be affordable. The key is to plan and understand the mission you will be using your aircraft for. If you keep your mission in sight, it will help you from straying off course, and off budget.
If you are considering purchasing an aircraft or have questions on aircraft requirements or the paperwork process, contact us, we are happy to help.
Below are the requirements for private aircraft flying in Day VFR in Canada.
Division II — Aircraft Equipment Requirements
Power-driven Aircraft — Day VFR
605.14 No person shall conduct a take-off in a power-driven aircraft for the purpose of day VFR flight unless it is equipped with
(a) where the aircraft is operated in uncontrolled airspace, an altimeter;
(b) where the aircraft is operated in controlled airspace, a sensitive altimeter adjustable for barometric pressure;
(c) an airspeed indicator;
(d) a magnetic compass or a magnetic direction indicator that operates independently of the aircraft electrical generating system;
(e) a tachometer for each engine and for each propeller or rotor that has limiting speeds established by the manufacturer;
(f) an oil pressure indicator for each engine employing an oil pressure system;
(g) a coolant temperature indicator for each liquid-cooled engine;
(h) an oil temperature indicator for each air-cooled engine having a separate oil system;
(i) a manifold pressure gauge for each
(i) reciprocating engine equipped with a variable-pitch propeller,
(ii) reciprocating engine used to power a helicopter,
(iii) supercharged engine, and
(iv) turbocharged engine
(j) a means for the flight crew, when seated at the flight controls to determine
o (i) the fuel quantity in each main fuel tank, and
o (ii) if the aircraft employs retractable landing gear, the position of the landing gear;
(k) subject to subsections 601.08(2) and 601.09(2), a radiocommunication system adequate to permit two-way communication on the appropriate frequency when the aircraft is operated within
o (i) Class B, Class C or Class D airspace,
o (ii) an MF area, unless the aircraft is operated pursuant to subsection 602.97(3), or
o (iii) the ADIZ;
