The Mentone Flying Club, Inc

The Mentone Flying Club, Inc. GPS Purchases Assessment

Presented to the Owner members present during the November 16, 2001 Monthly club meeting held at the Fulton County Airport, Rochester, Indiana.

Research performed and presented by Dan Christman GPS Purchases Assessment Table Of Contents

MFC need for IFR GPS Installation  Current Aircraft Capability  Now opposed to later (Cost)

GPS Units  Bendix/King (Honeywell)  Garmin  Apollo  Northstar

Price Quotations  Muncie Aviation Company  Aero Communications Company  Avionics Technologies Inc.

Affordability and how to do it  Sell a Cessna 150  Tap an engine fund  Donations  Fundraisers MFC need for IFR GPS Installation

Current Aircraft Capability

As of now the Mentone Flying Club has only one IFR certified plane capable of flying back into the home base airport of Rochester. This aircraft being the Cherokee 180 (N4269T). The other IFR certified aircraft N12874 a Cessna 172 Skyhawk is no longer able to return to Rochester under instrument conditions. The current status of this Skyhawk’s ADF is insufficient to perform the NDB instrument approach in to Rochester. Although the plane is still able to track airways and complete VOR and ILS approaches, a plane that is unable to return to its home airport has little value.

The Second Mentone Flying Club Cessna 172 Skyhawk, N4378Q, is currently a VFR only aircraft. Many members in the club have expressed an interest into converting it to an IFR approved aircraft.

The dilemma facing the club is whether or not to spend the money to fix the ADF in N12874, install a ADF in N4378Q, or install approach certified GPS units.

Future Of Current Approaches

The current life expectancy of VOR, and NDB approaches is now very short. The government has mandated that all NDB stations be deactivated by the year 2005. The phase out of NDB stations has already begun and is expected to be complete by the 2005 date. VOR and ILS stations will start being phased out in mid 2002 with all VOR/ILS stations being deactivated by 2010.

With the phase out of the current navaid facilities, is it in the club’s best interest to continue putting money into equipment that will be deactivated in the very near future? In a short answer, No. The phase out of NDB approaches will take away the capability of all of the current club aircraft from returning home when the weather is less than VFR. This could become a reality within the next year, if steps are not taken to prevent it.

Solution to the Problem

The solution is in the technology that is to take its place, GPS. GPS approaches have already been published for the Rochester Airport, and currently have lower minimum altitudes for the instrument pilot to fly to be able to return. Why should the club invest in GPS units now? The obvious reason behind this question is cost. The GPS units are not cheap. But when every one has to have one to fly IFR or VFR the price will increase. In researching for this presentation it was noted that the price on GPS units have already gone up in the last few months. A GPS that would have cost the club $675.00 two months ago has now increased to the price of $1950.00. This price has nearly doubled in two months. What would happen if the avionics industry suddenly found themselves with products, which were in high demand?

The addition of IFR GPS units into the club’s three four-place cross country aircraft would not only benefit the IFR pilots but also the VFR pilots. The GPS’s can and will give better situational awareness, which is a great concern with the new restricted area’s placed around our nation’s power plants and places of national security, that are being imposed in the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attack. The IFR GPS’s will give more current information to both the VFR and IFR pilot. (To be IFR certified the units must be updated every 28 days.) In the event of an emergency the improved reliability and better accuracy of the IFR GPS’s may allow pilots to safely get on the ground.

The idea is not for the club to go crazy and go on a spending spree, but rather take the time and look at the available units in the market and then make an educated purchase.

GPS Units

Bendix/King KLN89B KLN94

Garmin 155XL GPS 400 GPS 430

II Marrow (Apollo) GX 50 GX 60

Northstar M-3 Bendix/King KLN 89B IFR GPS Receiver Suggested Retail: $2,295.00 Factory Refurbished: $1,950.00

For years Bendix/King has been a leader in high- performance panel-mounted GPS navigation. With the introduction of the new Bendix/King KLN 89B Navigation System, they are adding a new area of leadership: Value.

Certifiable to the standards for non-precision instrument GPS approaches specified in TSP C129 A1, the KLN 89B also offers en route and terminal navigation under instrument flight rules (IFR).

Its built-in moving map display provides the ultimate in user friendliness and pilot situational awareness and, with its built-in Jeppesen database and pilot-friendly controls, the KLN 89B gives you the performance and features you'd expect in a high-performance GPS-at a much lower price. Bendix/King KLN 94 Color GPS Receiver Suggested Retail: $4,540.00

Bendix/King KLN 94 color GPS navigator/moving map display is a panel mounted IFR (C-129A) certified unit. Designed to be a direct replacement for the KLN 89B, the KLN 94 will let you upgrade to color while maintaining your panel's integrity.

The KLN 94 features an enhanced version of the easy-to-use operating system found in the KLN 89B. The comprehensive aeronautical database includes airports, VOR's, NDB's, intersections and special use airspace. The supplemental cartographic database includes rivers, roads, lakes, cities, railroad tracks, boundaries and towers to enhance situational awareness.

Other KLN 94 features include "vector to final" approach capability, a dedicated "Range" and "Map" menu button for map access and tailoring. The dedicated "Procedures" button simplifies loading of approaches (including ILS approaches). The Quick-Tune feature automatically loads frequencies into the KX 155A NAV/COMM. Self-contained annunciators reduce the installation cost of the KLN 94 Garmin 155XL Suggested Retail: $3,995.00

This unit is IFR approach certified under TSO C129a A1 and offers a very high definition moving map. This development marries two of GARMIN's product development strengths: crisp, high-detail moving map technology and GARMIN's legacy of proven, approach-certified IFR GPS receivers.

The moving map on the GPS 155XL TSO is exceptionally sharp. The DSTN (double super twist nematic) LCD is the familiar yellow-on-black display that found success in the VFR-only GPS 150XL and GNC 250XL.

Individual pixels in these displays are transparent to the viewer, and SUAs actually appear as curved rings and alphanumeric characters are easily distinguishable.

The high-resolution display is readable from every angle in all lighting conditions. A photocell in the display automatically controls the intensity of the backlight and will reverse the display from black-on-yellow to yellow-on-black for maximum contrast in daylight or nighttime viewing. Garmin GPS 400 Suggested Retail: $6,795.00

The GPS 400 takes the best in GARMIN GPS design and combines it with a full-color moving map for the best in situational awareness in this GPS only unit. The map features a built-in all-land database that shows cities, highways, railroads, rivers, lakes and coastlines, in addition to a Jeppesen database in bright colors.

Thanks to a high-contrast color display, the information can be easily read from wide viewing angles even in direct sunlight. The GPS 400 is also TSO C129a certified for a non- precision approach. Garmin GPS 430 Suggested Retail: $9,250.00 (Installed)

The GNS 430 is the most versatile panel-mounted product GARMIN has produced to date. It combines GPS navigation, VHF communication, and moving map graphics on a big color display.

This "all in one box" 12-channel unit offers IFR GPS, ILS, VOR, LOC and glideslope capability in a single, space- saving package. Many boxes offer some of the same features as the GNS 430, but it's the integration of so many functions that sets this latest aviation product apart.

The GNS 430, which is designed as the first in a line of new aviation products, has plenty of growth potential as it is designed for WAAS compatibility. The GNS 430: combining all the navigation capabilities necessary today with all known and defined technologies of the future. II Morrow GX50 Suggested Retail: $3,995.00

The Apollo GX50 is an approach certified GPS receiver loaded with features, including a high definition moving map display on a large sun light viewable screen. The aircraft's position relative to airports, runways, VORs, NDBs, intersections, and SUAs can be easily viewed on the large moving map display.

Operation is streamlined and pilot workload reduced through the use of Smart Keys. Airspace's and navaids can be added or deleted from the map with a single press of the button.

The GX50 is TSO-C129a Class A1 and is approved for IFR non-precision approach operation. II Morrow GX60 Suggested Retail: $6,147.00

The GX60 is an advanced navigation and communication solution in a single two inch package. No other GPS/Comm can deliver the transmit power, the high definition moving map display, the TSO certified navigation and the communication performance of the GX60.

The Apollo GX60 is an approach certified GPS receiver loaded with features including a high definition moving map display on a large sun light viewable screen. The aircraft's position relative to airports, runways, VOR's, NDB's, intersections, and SUA's can be easily viewed on the large moving map display.

Operation is streamlined and pilot workload reduced through the use of Smart Keys. Airspace's and navaids can be added or deleted from the map with a single press of a button. The GX60 is TSO-C129a Class A1 approved for IFR non- precision approach operation. Northstar M-3 Suggested Retail: $5,436.00

The Northstar M3 Approach offers 12-channel, parallel-tracking, "all- in-view" GPS for superior accuracy and integrity. With the Northstar M3, flying GPS approaches is a simple, hands-off, 1-2-3 operation:

1.Designate the airport 2.Designate the approach 3.Fly the approach

That’s it. Watch the CDI and fly the aircraft. With GPS approaches, CDI needle sensitivity is pre-programmed, and always the same from one approach to the next (no scalloping or wavering of the needle). And NDB overlay approaches flown with Northstar’s GPS are easy— the indicator is heading-independent.

Since the M3 doesn’t distract you with unnecessary manual steps, your approach is safer, easier, and more fun. The entire approach is stored in the Jeppesen™ database, complete with procedure turns, holds, and missed approach procedures. Even flying DME arcs is a simple matter of keeping the CDI needle centered while the M3 calculates the curved flight path. The M3 automatically takes you through each part of these operations. It knows where you are, and tells you what’s coming next. During holds and procedure turns, the M3 times inbound and outbound legs, and sequences each leg automatically.

The M3 comes SmartComm-ready, instantly identifying the closest 40 frequencies based on your position, including over 3,000 RCOs. Price Quotations

Muncie Aviation Install Honeywell KLN-89B IFR approved GPS. Install MD40-32L CDI With annunciators for IFR approval. Install single port cooling fan to 89B.

Installation $ 4,995.00

If all three aircraft done $ 14,100.00 (save $885.00)

Aero Communications Install Honeywell KLN-89B IFR approved GPS. Install KN 209A CDI head Switching unit and indicator.

Installation $ 5,175.00

If two done at once save $ 300.00 in labor per plane

Avionics Technologies Inc. Must see each aircraft to give quote. Price Quotations

Fundraisers Hog roast Two pancake breakfasts

Donations Club member donations

Tap an engine Fund N12874 flew 471.20 hours in 2001 Has 336.3 hours till TBO

N4269T flew 508.4 hours in 2001 Has 562.51 hours till TBO

 Non-Critical engines

N9442U flew 252.2 hours in 2001 Has 1408.2 hours till TBO

N3607V flew 189.7 hours in 2001 Has 1057 hours till TBO

N4378Q flew 101.3 hours in 2001 Has 1753 hours till TBO

Sell a Cessna 150 Cessna 150’s are being flown over weight due to the increase in weight of current students. Therefore more are training in the Skyhawk, and not in the 150’s. Because of the decrease in flight time of the Cessna 150’s it may be in the clubs best interest to sell a 150 in order to pay for the GPS’s.