In a 1+/2+/3 WAAS upgrade costs about $50K. The GPS-4000 box in the tail is replaced with a WAAS GPS box. And the FMS3000 is upgraded for WAAS approaches.

ADS-B costs range from $35K - $65K depending on the model transponder and who does it. Two transponders need to be sent to RC for upgrades, some new wiring is required to connect the WAAS GAS to the transponders, and the RTUs need to be upgraded.

I don't know where your friend spent the other $75K. He might have also upgraded his IFIS to realease 6.

Thanks Alan. I'll have to ask again. That sounds better.

Well that all together isn't a deal breaker. So long as you know this when settling on a price.
This is a whole lotta airplane. Still, I look at the panel and it seems broken. I have gotten too used to Synthetic vision and having a flight path vector.

And I too reliant on it? No, I think not, I have been instrument flying since 1983. So I am very much comfortable with raw data and no auto pilot. I do really like, (and who doesn't?) the latest capabilites.

Well that all together isn't a deal breaker. So long as you know this when settling on a price.
This is a whole lotta airplane. Still, I look at the panel and it seems broken. I have gotten too used to Synthetic vision and having a flight path vector.

And I too reliant on it? No, I think not, I have been instrument flying since 1983. So I am very much comfortable with raw data and no auto pilot. I do really like, (and who doesn't?) the latest capabilites.

That's the difference flying in the FL's brings. Over/around the weather. Ice protection, pressurization, smoother rides, less stress all around. Synvis nice but not necessary.

ProLine though is clunky to work in my limited experience with it and its heads down between the seats. I fly single pilot. I'm sure that PL comment will cause a stir but its my opinion only. I've been told it would get better as I learned it. Okay okay I've become the old codger I never wanted to be...

Show me I'm wrong. Lots of good used older equipment out there.

I fly SP also. In flight most of the PL21 stuff between the seats can be done by feel once you get the hang of it. You do need to get the FMS properly setup. I don't think it is any more heads down then all the knob twisting in the G1000 or using the GTC on the G3000.

Plan to put the Proline Fusion in a CJ3 for around $350K and it addresses your complaints and gives you syn vis.

I don't have SVT in my bird but the sim I was in last week had it..... What a difference! I loved it. Worse case scenario, you've got a clear view of the runway right there.

I used to have Synthetic Viz in my Bonanza but have lived without it for 4 years. It's $100K to unlock the software in the Pilatus to get it.

The CJ3 I was flying for a while we used Stratus and an iPad for a better moving map etc.

Jason how did the useful load and legs on the CJ3 compare to the Pilatus?

CJ3 is a good trade in that regard. We loaded it the same and had the same endurance as the PC12. The cabin however it much smaller than the PC12 and I'd lose my "whiz bang" avionics. But those aren't deal breakers.

The reason I haven't pulled the trigger is:

1. I still do so many short haul trips.

2. The SP jet market is getting flooded with SP jets and prices keep dropping.

It's hard for me to understand these prices.

$300K for new avionics in a CJ?? !! $100K to "unlock" software?? !!

I suppose that business model is just ---> "because we can!"

Yup. That's exactly what it is.

1. Can you blame them?

2. Is there anything you can do about it?

Answer to both..... NO.

Yup. That's exactly what it is.

1. Can you blame them?

2. Is there anything you can do about it?

Answer to both..... NO.

Yes, justifying not having these things can be done. Now having synthetic vision and nice moving maps with weather and traffic for a few years, I have gotten to like it. And I look at these other panels and they looks somewhat primitive.

With the prices dropping, someone will be buying these birds and yes, they are still very capable. Unless they are not 2020 compliant. That year is fast approaching. What I gather is that anybody holding the bag then will be spending 100k to become compliant? Not so bad as it will have been factored into the purchase price. A problem will occur with scheduling the work. The shops will get jammed up, business will be great for them!

Synth viz adds no capabilities to any aircraft per se. You can't do anything "new" with it, at least legally.

But it does add a lot of situational awareness in routine operations and it opens up emergency uses, for example, deliberate below minimums approaches should that be required. Having better awareness of the terrain and the runway depiction makes it far more likely a below minimums approach succeeds. Synth viz essentially turns any IMC situation into pseudo VMC with all the extra awareness that brings.

Mike C.

Synth viz adds no capabilities to any aircraft per se. You can't do anything "new" with it, at least legally.

But it does add a lot of situational awareness in routine operations and it opens up emergency uses, for example, deliberate below minimums approaches should that be required. Having better awareness of the terrain and the runway depiction makes it far more likely a below minimums approach succeeds. Synth viz essentially turns any IMC situation into pseudo VMC with all the extra awareness that brings.

Mike C.