I replaced the panel on my old Mirage in 2011 and went from steam to g500 and gtn750, tas800, transponder, jpi830, etc. $75k the first time and $45k to fix the botched job. $30k recouped from the first shop. Plane gone for 6+ months.

I would never, ever, ever do it again. I will happily allow someone else the pain of updating and purchase from them.

Just sayin'.

Jesus. That's awful.

Is there a thread on that? Sounds like it's worth one.

AVIONICS SHOPS

Jesus. That's awful.

Is there a thread on that? Sounds like it's worth one.

Well that answers the question about legacy vs glass panel...

That's where doing your homework ahead of time pays off. I renovated a Cessna 340 (and my 525) and went through numerous options before settling on the ones that did the work. Before even wasting time and money visiting them (and seeing their work in progress), I asked for a customer list to speak to customers. I also asked them to see examples of work of similar scope and breadth - it became evident that half of those interviewed were going to use my money to learn and experiment.

With the right airframe, there can be value in bringing new life and shine to an ugly duck with dated systems and avionics. It also depends on whether you plan to keep and use the airplane, or turn around and sell it. Do it incorrectly, and it will be the trip to hell that will burn a hole in your wallet.

On another forum, a user reports that on his TBM 700 overhauling the starter-generator was $50K. TSN was about 3,000 hours, add in annual inspections and brush replacement ($600) every 600-1000 hour, you're looking at $15-20/hour cost for just this one component. He further comments:

"With the proprietary concept that Socata/Daher took with respect to parts it has been very expensive but we can get them but it is always an "OVERHAUL" because the airframe manufacturer conrols the CMMs. Many CMMs today are available because the owner group banded together and made it happen but some are still private.

In the last years prices have risen regularly but that's part of the firm's source of revenue. I spoke to Auxilec to complain about my shop not having access to the CMM for the unit and he told me "for $25,000 we'll send your shop a copy". Socata/EADS did the same with Parker early on with and all the suppliers for virtually all the parts including Honeywell, Pratt, Zodiak and all the French sub-component suppliers in France. Generally speaking, you can't buy a part unless Daher gets a slice but the components are very reliable. The TBM I fly generally goes annual to annual with no problems (6 out of last 7 years). I will fly it up to Wisc next month for the annual then over to Europe again this summer! My job is to sit with the plane all week and babysit the work and squawk list. Typically, the list can be quite long so there is always some "editing" to accomplish. I've known many owners who have simply left the plane and come back to $50,000-$100,000 annuals. Our annual is flat rate $5000 plus parts and that includes a full week of cleaning and wax and boot maintenance. "

What does an annual really cost on a TBM?

I literally hear $10k - $15k (not flat rate, total)

or

$50k - $75k

And the ones I've been involved with were the $70k variety.

I've ran into the same thing with Pilatus, I keep hearing $30k a year for maintenance... but my personal experience is two to four times that!

Mine (700B) has never been $15,000 and never been $75,000. We've been nearly 300 hours a year consistently and I can only say great things about the dispatch rate.

These are high priced machines and cost, especially in aviation, always has a "relative" caveat. Sorry, you can't fly a TBM for 500 bucks an hour.

That said, there is some stupid cost stories on TBM's... the starter/generator being one of them along with the fan motor that will blow you away. Fortunately, I've had neither.

I just looked at three years worth of maintenance invoices on a TBM I'm considering. All in it was about 250K for 1000 hrs of use. That included replacing a windshield for 37K. All work was done at a factory authorized maintenance shop. The schedule inspections varied from about 14K up to about 40K. The plane now has about 3000 TT.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/CD2cnMJj4Jk[/youtube]

That doesn't sound right, he likely got hosed by a third party.

Daher has over 50 TBM CMMs freely available on their mysocata.com website, including the Starter Generator.

Here is their published pricing:

6000707221 8012F STARTER GENERATOR

Standard exchange $24,667.00 Performed by THALES EDISON
Core value $12,268.00 Performed by THALES EDISON
No fault found $1,316.00 Performed by THALES EDISON
600h brush change $2,033.00 Performed by THALES EDISON
1200h brush and bearing $3,198.00 Performed by THALES EDISON
2400h OVH (exclus major parts) $3,734.00 Performed by THALES EDISON

2 NEW in stock in FL, 5 Overhauled.

Yes, there are a lot of expensive parts. Air cycle machine is $24K exchange.

TBM drivers, please take a look at my cost estimator and shoot holes in it. So far it has held true but I probably am light on the reserve for breakage. I have included my old Mirage historical costs for comparison.

True the TBM starter Generator is a specific part # thats use only on the TBM PT6.
Maintain it at 600/1200/2400 hrs ovhl and it will treat you right. I have heard some horror stories and most were because they didnt follow the mx intervals.

Here was my invoice for 600/1200 hrs startGen inspection on my previous 700C2.

Paul those prices are a great deal. Can you disclose where I can get a 10k annual and prop overhaul on your c2 for 2400.00