I am torn on this subject. No doubt technology is awesome and makes life easier and safer, but I grew up on steam gauges and paper charts. We bought a Cessna Caravan the was used by a skydiving company that went out of business. We’re having it upgraded from the legacy 650 shp Pratt & Whitney to the Honeywell TPE331 that brings it up to almost 1000 shp by a company called Texas Turbine. It currently is configured for skydiving with two seats on the front office and two rows of bench seats along each side of the cargo bay. Didn’t even have a cargo hatches. Just a 4’x4’ square hole in the sides. They’re also going to install a proper cabin with sound proofing. Should be starting soon and will take approximately 8 months to complete and certify.
We flew this airplane for 20 years on steam before we did the big upgrade. The bottom line is that the newer tech greatly increases the capability of the airplane, and is a huge improvement to both safety and situational awareness. My father is a great example. He flew this airplane on steam for 20 years, the 310R on steam for 16 years prior to that, and a bunch of steam gauge jets like the LR-JET series airplanes, the CL601, etc. His first major exposure to the capability of a fully Garmin integrated airplane was the Phenom 300. Now, our 414A has the same technology capabilities as that airplane does. Despite 40 years on steam, he flies our 414A with all the new stuff to the fullest of its potential, and he does it very, very capably. If anyone should be torn, it’s him. But once he really reached complete proficiency on the new stuff, there’s just no going back. Your caravan project sounds really neat. Always been partial to the TPE-331 over the Pratt. Thanks for reaching out!
Pretty much my dream panel, looking forward to see the radar in action especially compared with delayed NEXTRAD, that one i probably won’t afford and have to rely on internet radar. Do you have active traffic?
So, love this video and have personally been debating. I have been looking at doing this same setup in a 340A I have, or alternatively looking for a quality modernized 414A. What are your thoughts?
S4A , nice displays dude, I guess Garmin is #1 in avionics now, do you think? When are you guys going to retire those old flat sixes and hang a couple PT6s on there so atc does not send you on fuel wasting excursions waiting to get to altitude? About 1800 hp should perk it up a bit don't you think? Haha. Just a thought. Thx for the great commentary. BP
Great video, thanks for sharing. How do I contact you privately to get an idea of time to do the conversion, your satisfaction level with the upgraded avionics, cost and the experience with the shop doing the installation
I noticed neither your old panel or this one had engine monitors other than the basics. I like how you operate your engines and thinking with consistent operations an engine monitor isn’t really required in your view?
Interesting you should ask! Our engine monitor is going in next week! We decided not to do it with the rest of the panel because we wanted our mechanic up here in NY to do the work instead of the avionics shop.
Questions for you... with the addition of the G600 TXi and ESI 500, assuming they have independent magnetometers, does that remove the requirement for a standby compass? I'm going through the same upgrade on my 414A.
@@s4aviator804 Thanks so much for the reply! If you'd be willing, I have a few other questions that I'd like to ask offline. I'm also putting in a GFC 600 (it's in avionics as we speak), and have some operational questions I'd like to shoot to you. chris.arenz@foursticks.biz Thanks!
Michael Campbell Hey Michael. Yes! The GFC600’s CWS button will momentarily disengage the autopilot for as long as you’re holding it, and will then return to wherever you had it once you let go.
@@s4aviator804 Very cool feature. The A/C I fly have CWS and CWP functions. It works beautifully for dodging FL TRW's in the summer. Much smoother than twiddling the heading knob. Gorgeous panel upgrade BTW!
@@s4aviator804 Thanks for taking the time to respond to my question. Interesting, as I was thinking you would have picked up a little more than that. Hmmm, maybe will need to change the engines to turbines. ;)
@@dirkk4992 Believe it or not, we were expecting to pick up significantly less than that. Nevertheless, we were very pleased when we got the results of the scales weight after the project was finished!
From a fellow younger Cessna twin owner (340a) with a bunch of Garmin glass Im excited for you, it’s a great platform and glad to see you continuing to post videos. Reach out to us sometime would enjoy chatting to see if we can help out your channel! -Brendan, Co-Founder, CRAZEDpilot.com
I'll definitely reach out! I'm really not the owner of the airplane in that sense, the airplane is owned by our business, which is myself and my father. Chat soon!
Wow. Crazy to think about the cost there, but what else are you going to buy that’s comparable? Especially since it won’t be new and you know all the history with 2744x. Congrats - looking forward to more!
@@pilotgirl5953 Hey Brenda. It's time for you to upgrade! You wont miss that Baron for a second once you step into the 414A. And actually, the market for the airplane right now is the highest it's been in a long time. $500K gets you a nice one, and premium examples are pushing $600K.
![Here’s what a $250,000 avionics upgrade looks like! [Cessna 414A + Garmin] Low IFR to KBGR](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Q2gUzQiRxHo/mqdefault.jpg)
![Here’s what a $250,000 avionics upgrade looks like! [Cessna 414A + Garmin] Low IFR to KBGR](/img/tr.png)
It's a real personal airliner now. I can't wait to see the FSW version in P3D. :-)
Scott Major Thanks Scott!
Looks great, brother! Looking forward to more vids!
Really nice upgrade! Makes this twin cessna a very capable platform.
Thanks for sharing. Now you've given me a great strategy for upgrading mine.
Good overview of the LS3 all-in-one standby unit.
Future vids of this beauty much awaited! Congratulations for this awesome improvement.
Cheers
Thanks! Plenty more to come!
I am torn on this subject. No doubt technology is awesome and makes life easier and safer, but I grew up on steam gauges and paper charts. We bought a Cessna Caravan the was used by a skydiving company that went out of business. We’re having it upgraded from the legacy 650 shp Pratt & Whitney to the Honeywell TPE331 that brings it up to almost 1000 shp by a company called Texas Turbine. It currently is configured for skydiving with two seats on the front office and two rows of bench seats along each side of the cargo bay. Didn’t even have a cargo hatches. Just a 4’x4’ square hole in the sides. They’re also going to install a proper cabin with sound proofing. Should be starting soon and will take approximately 8 months to complete and certify.
We flew this airplane for 20 years on steam before we did the big upgrade. The bottom line is that the newer tech greatly increases the capability of the airplane, and is a huge improvement to both safety and situational awareness. My father is a great example. He flew this airplane on steam for 20 years, the 310R on steam for 16 years prior to that, and a bunch of steam gauge jets like the LR-JET series airplanes, the CL601, etc. His first major exposure to the capability of a fully Garmin integrated airplane was the Phenom 300. Now, our 414A has the same technology capabilities as that airplane does. Despite 40 years on steam, he flies our 414A with all the new stuff to the fullest of its potential, and he does it very, very capably. If anyone should be torn, it’s him. But once he really reached complete proficiency on the new stuff, there’s just no going back. Your caravan project sounds really neat. Always been partial to the TPE-331 over the Pratt. Thanks for reaching out!
I’m very happy for you guys. Y’all deserve it. That autopilot is sauce.
Thanks S4 Aviator, Looking forward to the new videos.
Scotty Thanks Scotty!
Beautiful machine! I fly a few 425's.
Very nice! Great job by MAC Avionics!
M C 👍🏻👍🏻
Very nice narration. FYI Phase array allows multiple simultaneous steerable transmit/receive pencil beams.
I was wondering when you were going to upgrade! Very very nice!
Nice tour, congratulations,, thanks for sharing
Great upgrade on the panel. What weight saving did the conversion bring to your BEW?
Well done. As a student pilot I have enjoyed your videos.
Thanks Tex! Best of luck in your training!
It almost looks like a TBM 940 in there now.
Very nice panel have a Happy New Year
That's bad ass!
i really loved it
Do you leave your aux fuel pumps on low all the time? Do you have to put them on high if the engine fuel pump fails?
Nice
We need some flight videos!
Hi, do you have video in pre flight inspection for Cessna 414? Thanks
Cha-CHING!!!!
Pretty much my dream panel, looking forward to see the radar in action especially compared with delayed NEXTRAD, that one i probably won’t afford and have to rely on internet radar. Do you have active traffic?
So, love this video and have personally been debating. I have been looking at doing this same setup in a 340A I have, or alternatively looking for a quality modernized 414A. What are your thoughts?
S4A , nice displays dude, I guess Garmin is #1 in avionics now, do you think? When are you guys going to retire those old flat sixes and hang a couple PT6s on there so atc does not send you on fuel wasting excursions waiting to get to altitude? About 1800 hp should perk it up a bit don't you think? Haha. Just a thought. Thx for the great commentary. BP
Nice upgrades who did the work and how much?
Very beautiful avionics and the airplane, sorry in Florida what avionics you used.
What outfit did your avionics upgrade in Florida.
Great video, thanks for sharing. How do I contact you privately to get an idea of time to do the conversion, your satisfaction level with the upgraded avionics, cost and the experience with the shop doing the installation
I noticed neither your old panel or this one had engine monitors other than the basics. I like how you operate your engines and thinking with consistent operations an engine monitor isn’t really required in your view?
Interesting you should ask! Our engine monitor is going in next week! We decided not to do it with the rest of the panel because we wanted our mechanic up here in NY to do the work instead of the avionics shop.
Need some new vids showing this off!
If you don’t mind me asking, what would a good budget cost amount be to perform this conversion?
That's $100k easy.
Questions for you... with the addition of the G600 TXi and ESI 500, assuming they have independent magnetometers, does that remove the requirement for a standby compass? I'm going through the same upgrade on my 414A.
Chris Arenz Hey Chris. I don’t believe it removes the requirement for a wet compass, but I could be wrong.
@@s4aviator804 Thanks so much for the reply! If you'd be willing, I have a few other questions that I'd like to ask offline. I'm also putting in a GFC 600 (it's in avionics as we speak), and have some operational questions I'd like to shoot to you. chris.arenz@foursticks.biz Thanks!
Where did you do the job ?
wonder why IAS is in right side and HDG is left. the speed selector should be above the speed tape.
Not sure what you mean. Can you elaborate?
Very nice how long to get adjusted to new panel
Cost of the upgrade please
Did you have to replace the servos for the new autopilot ???
Yes, the GFC 600 has its own smart servos, up to 4 of them.
Has an upgrade dual aft-underbody strake system been designed for the 414A yet ?
Yes! Aft strakes are available for the 414A for about $15,000
I noticed the CWS button, does the new AP let you fly control wheel steering?
Michael Campbell Hey Michael. Yes! The GFC600’s CWS button will momentarily disengage the autopilot for as long as you’re holding it, and will then return to wherever you had it once you let go.
@@s4aviator804 Very cool feature. The A/C I fly have CWS and CWP functions. It works beautifully for dodging FL TRW's in the summer. Much smoother than twiddling the heading knob. Gorgeous panel upgrade BTW!
with everything done to the plane , do you have a useful load number, thanks.
Hey Dirk. We picked up 197lbs of useful load in the process, bringing our current useful load to right around 2000lbs
@@s4aviator804 Thanks for taking the time to respond to my question. Interesting, as I was thinking you would have picked up a little more than that. Hmmm, maybe will need to change the engines to turbines. ;)
@@dirkk4992 Believe it or not, we were expecting to pick up significantly less than that. Nevertheless, we were very pleased when we got the results of the scales weight after the project was finished!
$’s cost...please
From a fellow younger Cessna twin owner (340a) with a bunch of Garmin glass Im excited for you, it’s a great platform and glad to see you continuing to post videos. Reach out to us sometime would enjoy chatting to see if we can help out your channel! -Brendan, Co-Founder, CRAZEDpilot.com
I'll definitely reach out! I'm really not the owner of the airplane in that sense, the airplane is owned by our business, which is myself and my father. Chat soon!
Wow. Crazy to think about the cost there, but what else are you going to buy that’s comparable? Especially since it won’t be new and you know all the history with 2744x. Congrats - looking forward to more!
ronnl001 The answer is and to your point; there’s really nothing that’s comparable at this price point. Thanks!
@@s4aviator804 Absolutely. I'd do the same thing (and am dreaming about the day...)
S4 Aviator 414A are very nicely priced due to several factors. Looking to upgrade my Baron 58 to a 414A.
@@pilotgirl5953 Hey Brenda. It's time for you to upgrade! You wont miss that Baron for a second once you step into the 414A. And actually, the market for the airplane right now is the highest it's been in a long time. $500K gets you a nice one, and premium examples are pushing $600K.
@@s4aviator804 Awe you might be correct. I'm looking at one for about $400k with spare done.Canadian regoistered.
ditch that crap music