I agree that there are manufacturers that make glass cockpit installations
that are not "too expensive" However-

I am using the old steam gauges from my Viking 1 because I have them- 2
because they work- 3 because I didnt have the budget for an $8000 Dynon
panel. That being said-
I have flown for quite some time with a Windows tablet with Apic Pro as my
GPS and it works flawlessly. My Viking was IFR approved sans GPS. I
routinely practiced RNAV approaches to ILS with my tablet with its remote
GPS antenna and hit it every time.

The EFI system could easily port to an Android tablet that would run Garmin
Pilot (10.00 per month) and give you not only engine parameters but also
baro pressure, temp, etc. The newest 7 inch android tablets are around
$70.00 each. So, if you had the EFI, output to the Android you can see
everything that is pertinent to the flight, control the engine if you like,
have 2 duplicate units that can display the GPS etc. All for 140.00. Is it
IFR approved? No. Do we fly IFR a lot- probably not.

We are not trying to replace certified aircraft, we are making flying
affordable, safe and fun.

I take my tablet inside the house, plan my flights, stick it to the panel
and fly. My dual VORs give me ground based backup, the GPS acts as my DME,
and all works well. For a lot less than $8000.00.

The reason I bring this up is this- I have seen 2 Cessna 150s at my local
airport sold as not airworthy and left the airport for less than 4K each.
Sell the engine, keep the avionics, brakes, pulleys, etc. and sell the
rest. This has worked out well for me.  Not counting the Viking since I
flew her 120 hours a year for 2 years and have sold parts that equal more
than half what I gave for her, I will have less than 20K in my Wheeler when
I am done. Yes you read that right- less than 20K for a composite plane,
IFR capable, 170 knots, 1200 mile range for less than 20K. And did I
mention that I have a spare engine as well?

We can do it- we just have to think about it and do it wisely. Our value is
in our minds. Use them.

KA


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