Can’t wait to get back in my airplane. Just love that thing. It is going in for annual I hope any day now, and after that I will do the post maintenance test flight up to Wilmington’s New Castle County airport (KILG). That is where the bi-annual pitot static, altimeter, and transponder checks will be done. I’ll also get the software updated on the Garmin 530 WAAS, and the Aspen PFD. The Aspen needs it’s backup battery updated every two years to remain airworthy, so that will get done too.
I’ve been waiting for Foreflight and Garmin to get completely connected, and now they are. Since all GA airplanes need to be ADS-B compliant by 2020, I’ve been evaluating adding a Garmin GDL-88 and a Flightstream 210 to the airplane. What that should give me is:
- Wx and traffic on the Garmin 530WAAS
- Wx and traffic on two iPads
- Backup AHARS on two iPads
- Flight Planning with two way communication (change the 530waas flight plan and the iPads get it…. vice versa.)
Now that Foreflight announced it’s ready, I’m also ready to make the move. Makes no sense to wait and not have the advantage of traffic, weather, and the very cool ipad applications. Too bad there won’t be time to get it done before vacation, but this winter will be soon enough.