25 Feb 2026, 19:06 [ UTC - 5; DST ]
|
|
Username Protected
|
Post subject: Re: FS: Avidyne IFD550 X 2 Both are only a few months old. Posted: 22 Feb 2023, 00:51 |
|
 |

|


|
 |
Joined: 12/10/07 Posts: 36825 Post Likes: +14979 Location: Minneapolis, MN (KFCM)
Aircraft: 1970 Baron B55
|
|
Username Protected wrote: Not commenting on your choice, but the IFDs will work with the Garmin PFDs and the GFC500 autopilot with no issues. The VNAV mode on the GFC500 does not work, and won’t work with a GNS530 either, however, all other vertical modes work correctly including LPV, ILS glide slope/glide path.
I don’t really miss the VNAV function. Do these things work with a IFD-G500Txi setup? CDI switching from the G500. Flight plan display on the 500. Display of TOD, BOD on the G500 and IFD. Automatic switching from a Course to Altitude leg. Is a GAD43 or GAD43E required when interfacing a G500Txi to an IFD540? Can the TAWS image and alerts from an IFD show on a G500Txi?
_________________ -lance
It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.
|
|
| Top |
|
|
Username Protected
|
Post subject: Re: FS: Avidyne IFD550 X 2 Both are only a few months old. Posted: 22 Feb 2023, 06:10 |
|
 |

|


|
 |
Joined: 01/24/19 Posts: 1032 Post Likes: +257 Company: Bullard Aviation Services, Inc Location: Ormond Beach, FL (KOMN)
Aircraft: 1978 Bonanza A36
|
|
Username Protected wrote: Not commenting on your choice, but the IFDs will work with the Garmin PFDs and the GFC500 autopilot with no issues. The VNAV mode on the GFC500 does not work, and won’t work with a GNS530 either, however, all other vertical modes work correctly including LPV, ILS glide slope/glide path.
I don’t really miss the VNAV function. That was my original thought and my understanding. But even Avidyne says don’t do it that I may have issues that even they don’t know about . I am going to miss my IFD550’s. Thanks, Frank
_________________ Bullard Aviation Services, Inc. www.BullardAviation.com
|
|
| Top |
|
|
Username Protected
|
Post subject: Re: FS: Avidyne IFD550 X 2 Both are only a few months old. Posted: 22 Feb 2023, 17:10 |
|
 |

|
|
Joined: 12/16/13 Posts: 236 Post Likes: +97 Company: AAT Location: Hendersonville Tn KXNX
Aircraft: D55
|
|
Username Protected wrote: They still sell the 55X which might be similar. I love mine!
I'm going with Aspen for that very reason. It plays nice with everyting. But Garmin panels are nice for sure! The GFC600, Stec 3100, and AFaIK the DFC90 are in a different class than the 55X.
Well for sure that's the case! I understand that, we were just talking about playing nice with each other. Does the 55X do the job and do it well?
I like STEC, stolen technology......
_________________ John Wallace CFI, II, MEI
I'm making my own luck
|
|
| Top |
|
|
Username Protected
|
Post subject: Re: FS: Avidyne IFD550 X 2 Both are only a few months old. Posted: 23 Feb 2023, 06:26 |
|
 |

|


|
 |
Joined: 01/24/19 Posts: 1032 Post Likes: +257 Company: Bullard Aviation Services, Inc Location: Ormond Beach, FL (KOMN)
Aircraft: 1978 Bonanza A36
|
|
Username Protected wrote: Not commenting on your choice, but the IFDs will work with the Garmin PFDs and the GFC500 autopilot with no issues. The VNAV mode on the GFC500 does not work, and won’t work with a GNS530 either, however, all other vertical modes work correctly including LPV, ILS glide slope/glide path.
I don’t really miss the VNAV function. Do these things work with a IFD-G500Txi setup? CDI switching from the G500. Flight plan display on the 500. Display of TOD, BOD on the G500 and IFD. Automatic switching from a Course to Altitude leg. Is a GAD43 or GAD43E required when interfacing a G500Txi to an IFD540? Can the TAWS image and alerts from an IFD show on a G500Txi?
Hoping that Geoffrey will answer these questions for us. I would So LOVE to keep the IFD550’s !
Do these things work with a IFD-G500Txi setup? CDI switching from the G500. Flight plan display on the 500. Display of TOD, BOD on the G500 and IFD. Automatic switching from a Course to Altitude leg. Is a GAD43 or GAD43E required when interfacing a G500Txi to an IFD540? Can the TAWS image and alerts from an IFD show on a G500Txi?
Thanks, Frank
_________________ Bullard Aviation Services, Inc. www.BullardAviation.com
|
|
| Top |
|
|
Username Protected
|
Post subject: Re: FS: Avidyne IFD550 X 2 Both are only a few months old. Posted: 23 Feb 2023, 13:56 |
|
 |

|
|
Joined: 05/20/13 Posts: 8 Post Likes: +5
|
|
Username Protected wrote: They still sell the 55X which might be similar. I love mine!
I'm going with Aspen for that very reason. It plays nice with everyting. But Garmin panels are nice for sure! The GFC600, Stec 3100, and AFaIK the DFC90 are in a different class than the 55X.
IIRC the DFC90 is a replacement head-unit for the 55X system.
|
|
| Top |
|
|
Username Protected
|
Post subject: Re: FS: Avidyne IFD550 X 2 Both are only a few months old. Posted: 23 Feb 2023, 15:59 |
|
 |

|
|
Joined: 09/02/11 Posts: 2065 Post Likes: +2542 Location: N Alabama
Aircraft: 1968 B55
|
|
Username Protected wrote: IIRC the DFC90 is a replacement head-unit for the 55X system.
I believe that's correct. The story I heard was that the DFC90 AML is so small in part because there was a dispute between STec and Avidyne that ended their relationship before Avi could get the DFC90 certified for any additional aircraft. No idea if it's true or not, but it's plausible.
|
|
| Top |
|
|
Username Protected
|
Post subject: Re: FS: Avidyne IFD550 X 2 Both are only a few months old. Posted: 23 Feb 2023, 18:17 |
|
 |

|

|
 |
Joined: 10/05/11 Posts: 10490 Post Likes: +7564 Company: Hausch LLC, rep. Power/mation Location: Milwaukee, WI (KMKE)
Aircraft: 1963 Debonair B33
|
|
Username Protected wrote: IIRC the DFC90 is a replacement head-unit for the 55X system.
I believe that's correct. The story I heard was that the DFC90 AML is so small in part because there was a dispute between STec and Avidyne that ended their relationship before Avi could get the DFC90 certified for any additional aircraft. No idea if it's true or not, but it's plausible.
I know one BT'r with a DFC90 in a B33.
_________________ Be Nice
|
|
| Top |
|
|
Username Protected
|
Post subject: Re: FS: Avidyne IFD550 X 2 Both are only a few months old. Posted: 23 Feb 2023, 18:29 |
|
 |

|
|
Joined: 01/23/15 Posts: 289 Post Likes: +14 Location: KOCF Ocala,FL
Aircraft: 1964 S35
|
|
|
I have a DFC 90 in my S35, along with an IFD 540 and IFD 440 and Aspen Pro Max 2500. I have been flying that way for 4-5 years now. Works fine together. Old AP was Stec 50 converted to Stec 55-x then DFC 90 in one exchange.
Joe
|
|
| Top |
|
|
Username Protected
|
Post subject: Re: FS: Avidyne IFD550 X 2 Both are only a few months old. Posted: 23 Feb 2023, 21:08 |
|
 |

|


|
 |
Joined: 12/10/07 Posts: 36825 Post Likes: +14979 Location: Minneapolis, MN (KFCM)
Aircraft: 1970 Baron B55
|
|
Username Protected wrote: IIRC the DFC90 is a replacement head-unit for the 55X system. Does that mean anything beyond the fact that a DFC90 can use the same servos as a STec autopilot? IOW are there any other components from Stec required for a DFC90 installation besides the servos?
_________________ -lance
It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.
|
|
| Top |
|
|
Username Protected
|
Post subject: Re: FS: Avidyne IFD550 X 2 Both are only a few months old. Posted: 23 Feb 2023, 21:08 |
|
 |

|


|
 |
Joined: 12/10/07 Posts: 36825 Post Likes: +14979 Location: Minneapolis, MN (KFCM)
Aircraft: 1970 Baron B55
|
|
Username Protected wrote: IIRC the DFC90 is a replacement head-unit for the 55X system. Does that mean anything beyond the fact that a DFC90 can use the same servos as a STec autopilot? IOW are there any other components from Stec required for a DFC90 installation besides the servos?
_________________ -lance
It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.
|
|
| Top |
|
|
Username Protected
|
Post subject: Re: FS: Avidyne IFD550 X 2 Both are only a few months old. Posted: 23 Feb 2023, 21:12 |
|
 |

|
|
Joined: 01/23/15 Posts: 289 Post Likes: +14 Location: KOCF Ocala,FL
Aircraft: 1964 S35
|
|
|
Yes, the turn coordiantor must be retained
|
|
| Top |
|
|
Username Protected
|
Post subject: Re: FS: Avidyne IFD550 X 2 Both are only a few months old. Posted: 23 Feb 2023, 22:16 |
|
 |

|


|
 |
Joined: 12/10/07 Posts: 36825 Post Likes: +14979 Location: Minneapolis, MN (KFCM)
Aircraft: 1970 Baron B55
|
|
Username Protected wrote: Yes, the turn coordiantor must be retained That seems weird since Avidyne claims the DFC90 is attitude based. You don't need a turn coordinator for that. Edit: I read the DFC90 Pilot Guide for SR22 installations (i.e. 55X replacement) and it says the TC is used for a cross check on the attitude source. It also says the autopilot will continue to function normally if the TC quits working.
_________________ -lance
It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.
|
|
| Top |
|
|
Username Protected
|
Post subject: Re: FS: Avidyne IFD550 X 2 Both are only a few months old. Posted: 24 Feb 2023, 07:24 |
|
 |

|
|
Joined: 01/23/15 Posts: 289 Post Likes: +14 Location: KOCF Ocala,FL
Aircraft: 1964 S35
|
|
|
I believe it is part of the STC for the STEC 55-X system. So if you keep the components except the Control box, you must retain the TC; that is my understanding.
|
|
| Top |
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum
|
Terms of Service | Forum FAQ | Contact Us
BeechTalk, LLC is the quintessential Beechcraft Owners & Pilots Group providing a
forum for the discussion of technical, practical, and entertaining issues relating to all Beech aircraft. These include
the Bonanza (both V-tail and straight-tail models), Baron, Debonair, Duke, Twin Bonanza, King Air, Sierra, Skipper, Sport, Sundowner,
Musketeer, Travel Air, Starship, Queen Air, BeechJet, and Premier lines of airplanes, turboprops, and turbojets.
BeechTalk, LLC is not affiliated or endorsed by the Beechcraft Corporation, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.
Beechcraft™, King Air™, and Travel Air™ are the registered trademarks of the Beechcraft Corporation.
Copyright© BeechTalk, LLC 2007-2026
|
|
|
|