HeliNomad Posted January 10, 2014 Posted January 10, 2014 As likely many of you already know, the GTN STC's came out for the EC-130 and other helicopter models. Sadly, the STC for the EC-130B4 did not include the GTN 750 even though it has been installed many times before in the center console of other EC-130s. The STC for the B4 only calls out for the GTN 650 in the panel and a second one in the center console. I have been waiting almost 9 months with a GTN 650 and 750 sitting on a shelf waiting for the STC. Why have others been able to install and not me? Well thats because others have been able to have it field approved. My local FISDO, due to a recent circular sent out late last year, has decided to stop doing field approvals on GTN's in helicopters until STC's come out. A couple days ago I was about to call Garmin to painfully exchange the 750 for a 650 when out of no where we get a call saying that they will do a follow on STC approval for the 750. Exciting news.... Ship is all apart now and in 2-3 short weeks I will have finally rid my self of that 430W and my glass panel will finally be complete (G500H, ESI-2000, GTN 650,750). If this were a fixed wing aircraft it would have taken 1 1/2 weeks and a phone call for approval...helicopters... Is anyone else dealing with GTN installations using the new STC? Have you had any trouble getting the power switch from Garmin that they call out for in the STC? Any other snags you have run into such as only being to have active traffic on the PFD and ADS-B on the 750? There seem to be a lot of strange little details about these STCs. I'm sure they all have a reason that is beyond my comprehension. I'll post a photo once she's done. Quote
HeliNomad Posted February 20, 2014 Author Posted February 20, 2014 At last she is done! I have never been more impressed with an avionics installation. The functionality is out of this world. The quality and attention to detail is perfection. Advanced Helicopter Services knocked it out of the park with this very complicated STC install. Here is a photo that does not do it justice. GTN's make you wonder how you ever used a 430W for anything. 1 Quote
apiaguy Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 like having all that glass in a supercub...no disrespect.. it looks great... I just don't understand it. Quote
wopilot Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 like having all that glass in a supercub...no disrespect.. it looks great... I just don't understand it. EC130 being compared to a Cub... I get it VFR only... but seriously.... Obviously you haven't flown glass, it's easier, cleaner, less maintenance, and adds aircraft value. I'm glad I didn't have steam gauges in my VFR only Apache. Quote
HeliNomad Posted February 20, 2014 Author Posted February 20, 2014 like having all that glass in a supercub...no disrespect.. it looks great... I just don't understand it. Better situational awareness with synthetic terrain, HTAWS, awesome TAS, aural warnings, automation, redundancy, system integration across all screens, etc. I've never flown a fixed wing aircraft but I can't imagine this not being useful in any aircraft. But maybe you know something I don't... ; ) 1 Quote
apiaguy Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 EC130 being compared to a Cub... I get it VFR only... but seriously.... Obviously you haven't flown glass, it's easier, cleaner, less maintenance, and adds aircraft value. I'm glad I didn't have steam gauges in my VFR only Apache.Helinomad...I get the situational awareness. That is nice. It just seems like overkill for an aircraft with no autopilot or IMC capabilities. I understand when dollars don't matter so much, all the toppings are nice. Wopilot, woah buddy. I have flown glass, easier in some regards, cleaner maybe cosmetically, less maintenance I'm not sure about that one, adds value I doubt that... at least not dollar for dollar spent.2nd... "your" apache... which model would that be... seems trace and light icing is authorized except in the D model and you have fully a coupled autopilot that makes flying it much more airplane like than VFR heli flight so PLEASE.Sure, supercub is a bit of a stretch in performance compared to the 130... maybe cessna 182, a very capable aircraft... I was just saying it doesn't make sence to me. Quote
wopilot Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 Helinomad...I get the situational awareness. That is nice. It just seems like overkill for an aircraft with no autopilot or IMC capabilities. I understand when dollars don't matter so much, all the toppings are nice. Wopilot, woah buddy. I have flown glass, easier in some regards, cleaner maybe cosmetically, less maintenance I'm not sure about that one, adds value I doubt that... at least not dollar for dollar spent.2nd... "your" apache... which model would that be... seems trace and light icing is authorized except in the D model and you have fully a coupled autopilot that makes flying it much more airplane like than VFR heli flight so PLEASE.Sure, supercub is a bit of a stretch in performance compared to the 130... maybe cessna 182, a very capable aircraft... I was just saying it doesn't make sence to me.D model, which is not IFR certified. I'm just jabbing at you man. Quote
helipilotm Posted February 21, 2014 Posted February 21, 2014 like having all that glass in a supercub...no disrespect.. it looks great... I just don't understand it.+1 I've flown with a few people in all glass cockpits. with TAWS and all the other blah blah blah. All I noticed was how much much time their heads were inside versus outside. Looks good but pointless in my mind. Quote
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