Grand Rapids
Technologies, Inc.
AVIONICS
Autopilot included... GRT Avionics
someone who knows how to analyze it—
since very few mechanics have any
training or experience in engine monitor
data analysis. (This is something that
hopefully will change gradually as
mechanic training is dragged kicking and
screaming into the 21st century.)
THE OWNER AS TEST PILOT
The initial data required to diagnose most
engine problems has to be gathered while
the airplane is airborne. Only the grossest
and most obvious problems—like an oil
leak or a dead magneto—can be diagnosed
in the maintenance hangar or during
ground runs. Therefore, the responsibility
for gathering that data will most likely fall
upon you, not your mechanic. Like it or
not, you’re a test pilot.
Typically when one of my clients
reports an engine problem, the first thing
I ask him or her to do is to fly the airplane
and conduct one or more flight-test profiles, then dump the engine monitor data
for me to analyze. Eventually, I hope to
get the owner trained to conduct the
flight-test profiles without me having to
ask, eliminating the need for a separate
test flight.
The most useful of these flight-test
profiles include:
...for half the price of a stand-alone autopilot.
Roll Servo
$850*
Pitch Servo
$900*
Greater Value, Redundancy,
Functionality.
• Ignition stress test
• Mixture distribution test
• Induction leak test
Dual AHRS Upgrade $1500
Sport EFIS Systems -
Perfect for light sport, VFR and IFR. 4-5 Serial
ports - Includes moving map.
from $3000
Let’s look at each of these tests
in detail.
IGNITION STRESS TEST
Also known as the “in-flight LOP mag
check,” the ignition stress test is the best
way to evaluate the performance of your
engine’s ignition system. Every student
pilot is taught to perform a mag check
Adds auto cross-checking of
attitude data. Both AHRS
provide data for the EFIS.
HX EFIS Systems -
Ideal for serious IFR. 8 Serial ports, ARINC 429,
RS-422. Full functionality. Extensive A/P
coupling. The most advanced EFIS for
experimental aircraft available today.
from $7000
616 245-7700 GRTAVIONICS.COM
