caseyd
I am not sure what hawkerjet's quote means:
"however i would caution the installation of the 530's. i understand they will not help with the resale."
I have to disagree and say that no matter what the Westwind has in it, the resale value is not going to change by much. It is already the cheapest, best buy on the market for what it can do. I must add that a Westwind with the NCS-31 still installed in it is actually a hindrance. While in it's day the NCS-31 was top of the line, today most have issues and if it breaks, avionics shops won't even touch it.
I am the one who Gearmunky is refering to who had the Garmin package done. I would highly recommend it to you or anyone else who has or is thinking about getting a Westwind. It solves a lot of issues with the standard Westwind avionics, most notably the old NCS-31 system always acting up and makes things a heck of a lot nicer for the crew. Ex: moving maps, TIS traffic display, TAWS, weather (if you get the additional box), approaches automatically load set up freqs and slew the HSI needles, departures, arrivals, all of the airport info and freqs, nearest airports, fixes etc, fuel flows (with an add on). The only thing I wish Garmin would do is have airways installed. You still need to manually enter fixes along the route but that isn't too bad since most times we are only on an airway for a short time and then direct to a further fix.
Now if you do get one with the NCS-31 in it and an older GPS or FMS ( we had an old Universal UNS-1m), it is a no brainer.
To remove the NCS-31 and replace it with individual Collins control heads will run around $60k or so (as I was quoted).
Last fall, we had a Garmin 530A TAWS(16watt), 430(10watt), and dual GTX330 transponders installed. Total price was less than $70k but I believe it is a few thousand more now since we were the first one Red Eagle completed. Total downtime was 5 weeks, 20 working days were quoted (4 weeks) but they ran into some delays because we had some missing wiring diagrams.
For a few thousand more than just control heads, you have a much more usefull system, better radios and meet the TAWS B requirement. How could you go wrong.
As far as having both Garmins as 16 watt "A" models installed, our 10 watt 430 works very well. Never an issue with reception. In fact we are able to get ATIS from 150 to 200 miles out and most AWOS from 50 to 100 miles. Our old radios, about 100 miles was the limit for ATIS and most times 20 to 40 miles for AWOS. Transmitting has always been reported as 5 by 5. I know of a Falcon 10 with both Garmins as 10 watt and never has any issues, but just to be safe, we got the 530A.
Performance wise, the range on the Westwind is excellent for its size and price. If you fly at LRC, west to east coast non-stop is "usually" not a problem. I do it often at normal cruise and like to see at least a 50 kt avg tailwind, but that is just me. We do KVNY to KESN in about 4.5 to 4.7 hrs and land with 1700 to 2000 lbs with 50 kts on tail. If weather is iffy, I will make a fuel stop along the way.
Takeoff performance is all together another story. It is a "ground hugger". Loves to eat up pavement. High and hot performance is dismal. Can't carry anything or go very far, if you can even go at all.
One issue to remember is "all Westwinds leak fuel". It is a given, unless the tanks were just resealed. Then you may get a couple years or several hundred hours out of it then they will leak again.
Nosewheel steering is not the greatest system, but you get used to it. I never had any issues with slow refueling and have seen a few old, high time Westwinds with weird electrical gremlins, but most are very solid.
G100drivers quote "except for the time the tubing blew off the ECU" is mostly a mechanic issue. During inspections when they change the condenser sock, sometimes mechanics do not tighten the clamps up all the way. A clamp comes loose, a hose pops off and there goes the cabin pressure. It has happened to me and also and a few other Westwind guys I know. The best thing to do is stress this to your mechanic during inspections and be sure to take it up to altitude after an inspection.
Looks wise, you get used to it. It is not as bad as people say. You just have to become familiar with the various names for it, like "Jew Canoe", "Bagel bomber" or "Yom Kippur Clipper". No offense meant to anyone.
If I can give you any more info PM me and I will help.
