Garmin 430/530 package in a Westwind?

[cptsesso]

Looking for any information from people who have had a Garmin package installed in your Westwind or other jet.

We operate a Westwind 1, which still has the NCS-31 installed, and a UNS-1M as the primary nav. The boss wants to upgrade the panel using two Garmin 430's for com's and nav's (one on upper pilots side and one on upper co-pilots side) and a 530 or 500 (no com/nav) in the center panel as a MFD or use some other MFD in the center.

This would allow us to shed the boat anchor NCS-31, the UNS-1M and give us a MFD display for things such as TAWS, etc.

Has anyone had this done? Who performed the work? Rough idea of cost? Your likes/dislikes, etc....

Thanks.

 

[Rick1128]

I looked at putting a 430 in a Lear to comply with TAWS. But the cost of doing it was way more than other TAWS compliance alternatives. There was not enough benefit in doing it. The 2 LRNs you have are boat anchors. The UNS-1M is close to useless. No approaches, SIDs or STARs. Universal does have a program to exchange a M for a K. The K has been replaced by the L. But Universal does have an upgrade to the K making it a K+. But I would go with the L. Having rack mounted avionics can be limiting at times.

 

[SabreFlyR]

I can't remember if the WW has the panel space to do this or not, but might be worth a look.

The Sabre 65 I am flying has a 530A,430A and the Honeywell MFD 850 with the IHAS 8000 system, center stacked. The transonder and adf control heads are in the pedestal. Works great this way with no heads down while using the gps's. Ours was installed by Kings Avionics in Olathe, ks.

 

[Gatorman]

check my IM to you.

 

[Brett Hull]

I'm currently flying a Lear 35 with a pair of Garmin 430A's (17 watt, I think) and they SUCK! The reception is always weak, and every time I've asked ATC how my radio sounds, the reply is ALWAYS "it's weak but readable".

If it were up to me I'd yank them out in a New York second.

 

[SabreFlyR]

Had the same problem with the 530 on the 65. When I had it checked, they found a bad antenna. The 530A/430A put out 16 watts. By comp. the collins vhf 20's are 20 watts. I would almost bet money you have an antenna problem. Unless new ones have already been installed.

 

[Groundpounder]

Do you by any chance have digital photos of the panel? PM me if you do.

I can't remember if the WW has the panel space to do this or not, but might be worth a look.

The Sabre 65 I am flying has a 530A,430A and the Honeywell MFD 850 with the IHAS 8000 system, center stacked. The transonder and adf control heads are in the pedestal. Works great this way with no heads down while using the gps's. Ours was installed by Kings Avionics in Olathe, ks.

 

[kilroy]

Garmins in a Westwind

I have flown 3 westwinds with the 530/430 package not a bad combo if you get the upgrade reciever with higher power. I have used them going to Europe many times and had no problem with reception all the way across the pond and also down in South America were reception sucks. Alternative avionics in pontiac Mi. installed our radios and rvsm.