Today’s Top Pick is a 2005 Cirrus SR22 G2.

During the 1970s, when Queen drummer Roger Taylor sang about “the machine of a dream, such a clean machine,” he was referring to a car. Today a whole lot of pilots might hum the same tune while thinking about the Cirrus SR22.

A tour de force of design, performance, and innovation, the Cirrus is among the most popular general aviation aircraft of all time because it has what pilots want—cross-country speed, great looks, and a parachute that can save the day in an emergency.

Now that the SR22 has been on the market for more than 20 years, there are many used examples available for a wide range of prices depending on their age and equipment. The earliest first- and second-generation models often come up for sale at prices similar to those of other fast piston singles that often are decades older.

The 2005 G2 example for sale here is equipped with the Avidyne primary flight and multifunction displays typical for that generation of SR22. Later versions received more advanced and increasingly integrated Garmin avionics, however, a pilot would be fortunate to find anything close to this aircraft’s Avidyne panel in other used piston singles.

This aircraft represents a significant value for pilots who like the SR22’s modern design but are not ready to spend up to $1 million or more for a newer model. 

This 2005 SR22 has 3,136 hours on the airframe and 220 hours since overhaul on its 310 hp Continental IO-550 engine. The aircraft is equipped with a TKS deicing system, and its parachute was recently repacked, so the next owner will have about 10 years before the next repack is due.

The IFR panel features an Avidyne Entegra PFD and Avidyne EX5000 MFD, dual Garmin GNS 430 GPS/nav/comms, one with WAAS, PMA 8000 audio panel,  transponder with ADS-B Out, L-3 Skywatch Active Traffic system, WX 500 Stormscope, Emax engine monitor, Cmax electronic charts, and S-TEC 55 autopilot.

Pilots looking for the advanced design, efficiency, and performance of a Cirrus SR22 at a price point more in keeping with a Cessna 210 Centurion or an older Beechcraft Bonanza should consider this 2005 Cirrus SR22 G2, which is available for $349,000 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use its airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: We Fly: Cirrus SR22 G6
• FLYING Magazine: Hartzell Composite Prop Comes to Cirrus SR22
• FLYING Magazine: New Cirrus SR22s Introduced for 2014
• FLYING Magazine: A Cirrus SR22 Photo History
• Plane & Pilot: Latest Cirrus SR22 Is Faster? How Much Faster?
• Plane & Pilot: Learning to Fly in a Cirrus SR22
•  The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Cirrus SR22
• AVweb: Tornado Alley Turbos for Older Cirrus SR22s (Recorded Live at Sun ’n Fun 2008)

The post This 2005 Cirrus SR22 G2 Is a Value-Priced ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Of course, the airplane sported original round-gauge instruments mostly left over from when it was new, but the radio stack had been incrementally upgraded over the years. That meant retaining some of the existing gear in hopes of saving some work and money.

One option for budget glass is the Garmin G5—one for attitude functions and the other for electronic heading. Since the Cessna had the original plastic panel overlay, that would mean modifying (cutting it) to accommodate the G5’s square bezel. Not a big deal, but definitely some effort. That left Garmin’s GI 275 round-format electronic instruments, which are drop-in without having to modify anything. The other option was a couple of uAvionix AV-30 electronic flight instruments.

After running the numbers, the pair of AV-30 instruments saved over $2,000 compared to the Garmin option.

There is no need for the vacuum system any longer since the AV-30 (with battery backup) is electronic, and the STC gives the green light for removing the vacuum pump and the plumbing. That saves weight and clutter behind the panel. The club still needs to retain the airspeed, altimeter and vertical speed indicators in the Cessna, though pilots will be primarily focused on the supplementary ones on the AV-30s. The AV-30 plumbs into the existing pitot and static system for reference, although it has self-contained solid-state gyros for attitude and heading.

Hard-Working Stack

A new Garmin GPS 175 was the GPS navigator of choice and that was an easy decision because the club’s other airplanes are so equipped. While the GPS 175 doesn’t have a VHF nav receiver for shooting ILS approaches, the leftover KX155 radio does. Plus, most every practice approach would be an RNAV GPS—and the GPS 175 is equipped to do it.

If you’re wondering about that other digital nav/comm, it’s the TKM MX155 slide-in radio. The company went out of business, but the radio works well. Why not use it to save money and offer belt-and-suspender backup? For well under $20,000, this panel works well.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on Aviation Consumer.

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According to Garmin, the inReach Messenger Plus goes beyond cell service as the two-way satellite communicator has a lithium-ion battery that can last for 600 hours. The device can be used as a stand-alone tool or paired with a smartphone app, allowing the sharing of group texts, photos, and voice messages along with location information. 

The device has the ability to send an interactive SOS message to Garmin Response, an emergency assistance coordination center that is staffed 24/7. According to Garmin, inReach has contributed to more than 14,500 SOS activations.

“The new and enhanced messaging capabilities of the inReach Messenger Plus gives users a more personal and emotional way to communicate with friends and family when cell service isn’t available,” Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales of enhanced messaging and navigation, said in a statement. “Tell your family you’ll be home late, send a photo of the epic view to your friends, or simply exchange voice messages to hear the person on the other end of the line. Plus, with a rechargeable battery that can last for weeks, safety charging to help restore a depleted phone, and the ability to trigger an SOS message, the inReach Messenger Plus is an invaluable tool for any adventure.”

The Technology

In addition to the long-lasting battery, Garmin notes that when out of cell service range, the Messenger app will automatically switch to satellite technology. The device can send 30-second voice messages or texts with up to 1,600 characters, as well as emojis.

The inReach Messenger Plus can also be used to check weather and operate as a fully functional, stand-alone, palm-sized device. When paired with the Garmin Explore app on a compatible smartphone, inReach can be used to plan a trip, seek the route, and view a course showing the remaining distance to your destination.

The unit is temperature resistant and able to withstand incidental water exposure of up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes, according to Garmin.

The inReach Messenger Plus has a suggested retail price of $499.99. An active satellite subscription ($14.99 per month) is required to communicate using the device.

For more information be found here.

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According to Garmin, the G5000 integrated avionics suite allows owners to add additional capabilities to their aircraft that increases situational awareness for the flight crews and addresses concerns related to legacy avionics no longer manufactured or supported.   

“The successful certification of the G5000 for Cessna Citation XLS+ and XLS Gen 2 business jets is a significant achievement for Garmin and our customers,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “We are thrilled to expand our G5000 program, offering a cutting-edge avionics suite that provides safety-enhancing tools, situational awareness, and operational efficiency to now over 1,000 eligible aircraft.”

Wolf added that the certification is a means for Garmin to offer more advanced features and capabilities to the Citation series aircraft, keeping them technologically relevant “for years to come.” 

About the G5000

The G5000 integrated flight deck for the Citation XLS+ and XLS Gen2 has three landscaped-oriented flight displays with split-screen capability. The touchscreen controllers allow the pilots to move between pages to view flight plan information, maps, approach charts, weather, checklists, and safety items such as Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) and Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS).

According to the company, installation of the G5000 for the Citation XLS+ and XLS Gen2 includes a fully digital automatic flight control system (AFCS). The AFCS enables the flight crew to better manage aircraft speed and performance. The system includes emergency descent mode (EDM) that in the event of a loss of cabin pressure automatically initiates a descent to a preset altitude without pilot intervention, helping the crew avoid hypoxia and loss of consciousness.

• READ MORE: We Fly: Garmin Autoland for the Beechcraft King Air 200

Garmin said the G5000 is PBN/RNP 0.3 certified, enabling LPV/APV approach capability. In addition, terminal operations solutions synthetic vision technology (SVT) has been upgraded to include a 3D exocentric view of the airport environment to aid situational awareness while taxiing.

SVT displays 3D building footprints showing hangars, towers, taxiways, and aprons, helping pilots maintain situational awareness utilizing the SafeTaxi database. SVT has increased topographical clarity, including sharpened water and terrain boundaries, obstacle and powerline display, and enhanced runway and airport signage, according to the company.

The new taxiway routing feature gives flight crews the ability to use the touchscreen to enter taxi routes, which then provides guidance on the 2D navigational maps or 3D SVT depictions. 

Runway monitoring technology SurfaceWatch helps prevent pilots from taking off or landing on the wrong runway, or a runway that is too short or the wrong surface such as a taxiway. Remaining runway distance information appears on the PFD during the takeoff roll and landing rollout. 

The G5000 upgrade comes with a fully integrated automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) solution that’s DO-260B/TSO C166b compliant and utilizes antenna diversity, adhering to all current global mandates. 

• READ MORE: Garmin Launches Software to Warn of Potential Runway Incursions

ADS-B In traffic data is analyzed by Garmin’s recently announced Runway Occupancy Awareness (ROA) technology, which alerts the crew of potential runway incursions with nearby airborne aircraft, aircraft on the ground ,and ground vehicles. 

ADS-B In includes subscription-free Flight Information Service-Broadcast (FIS-B) weather and ADS-B In traffic, which offers exclusive features such as TargetTrend and GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar with auto mode, eliminating the need to manually adjust the radar and resulting in more expedient weather interpretation, including hail and lightning detection.

Using a 4G LTE cellular or Wi-Fi connection provided by the optional GDL 60 datalink, Garmin’s PlaneSync connected aircraft management system will automate database updates, provide real time remote aircraft status, and automatically transmit the flight log and engine data to the cloud after landing.

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The NAHF honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the betterment of aviation. 

Founded 35 years ago, Garmin was one of the first companies to develop a suite of avionics to provide better communication and navigation options. The company is known for its communication and navigation products found in everything from flight school training aircraft up through business jets.

“Gary Burrell and Min Kao founded Garmin with the strong belief that superior navigation and communications products could enrich and even save people’s lives,” Cliff Pemble, Garmin president and CEO, said in a statement. “To truly honor their pioneering work and the foundation they laid for Garmin’s acclaimed products, there is no greater tribute than seeing them inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.”

Kao serves Garmin as executive chairman of the board. Burrell, who died in 2019, was posthumously inducted.

Under their leadership, Garmin developed multiple technologies and applications designed to enhance aviation safety and aircraft capabilities.

A timeline of noteworthy products includes:

• 1991: Garmin’s first aviation product, the GPS 100AVD, is regarded by many as the first panel-mounted GPS navigator accessible to the GA community.
• 1994: The Garmin GPS 155 became the first certified GPS receiver to achieve FAA TSO-C129 Class A certification for instrument approaches. The unit enabled pilots to fly IFR without the use of ground-based navigation aids.
• 1998: The GNS 430 and GNS 530 product family was developed. The mounted GPS navigator, combined with a color moving map, VHF navigation and communication, became the industry standard.
• 2004: G1000-integrated flight deck introduced glass cockpit technology to single-engine piston aircraft widely used in the training market, while also serving the business jet fleet.
• 2010: Garmin introduced its Electronic Stability and Protection System (ESP), the first in a series designed to help pilots avoid loss-of-control accidents.
• 2020: Garmin received the Robert J. Collier Trophy for Garmin Autoland, the first certified autonomous system that when activated during an emergency—such as pilot incapacitation—controls and lands an aircraft without human intervention.

The post Garmin Founders Inducted Into National Aviation Hall of Fame appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1965 Beechcraft S35 Bonanza.

The Beechcraft Bonanza has been turning heads and setting performance standards since its debut in 1947. And while the market is crowded with sleek, speedy four-seaters today, the decades-old V-tail design still looks fresh and goes fast.

The model also maintains a healthy following that includes pilots who were not born yet when the production of the V-tails ceased in 1982. The distinctive design harks back to the GA boom of the 1960s and ’70s, and its vintage aesthetic is popular now across generations.

There are many Bonanzas on the market that seem like time capsules, beautifully preserved and looking much as they did decades ago. Sometimes the originality extends to instrumentation, which is not ideal for modern pilots accustomed to GPS navigation and other up-to-date digital avionics systems.

The aircraft for sale here maintains its period-perfect paint and upholstery while its panel houses newer Garmin and Aspen electronics that place it on par with much of the modern fleet. A new owner could plan on plenty of serious travel in this machine. 

This 1965 S35 Bonanza has 5,108 hours on the airframe, 1,370 hours on its 285 hp Continental IO-520-BB since overhaul, and 1,730 hours on the propeller since overhaul. The aircraft carries 74 gallons of fuel in the main tanks and a total of 104 gallons with tip tanks. Its useful load is 1,125 pounds.

The IFR panel features an Aspen Evolution 1000 PFD, Garmin GMA 35 audio panel, GTN 750 GPS/nav/comm, GNC 255A nav/comm, GTX 345 transponder with ADS-B In and Out, S-TEC autopilot with GPSS and yaw damper, and JPI EDM 700 engine monitor.

Additional equipment includes aftermarket engine baffles, tip tanks, windshield, side windows, oil separator from Beryl D’Shannon, and Brackett air filter. The aircraft was stripped and painted in 1994 and has an original interior.

Pilots looking for renowned Bonanza performance with the unmistakable and charismatic mid-century styling of the V-tail 35 series should consider this 1965 Beechcraft S35 Bonanza, which is available for $154,900 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use their airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: Air Compare: Beechcraft A36 Bonanza vs. Bonanza V-tails
• FLYING Magazine: Used Airplane Report: Bonanza vs. Baron
• FLYING Magazine: Pilot Proficiency: Fear of Flying
• Plane & Pilot: Beechcraft V-35 V-Tail Bonanza
• Plane & Pilot: Plane Facts: Beech Bonanzas
• Plane & Pilot: The Ultimate V-Tail
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Model 35 Bonanza

The post This 1965 Beechcraft S35 Bonanza Is a Well-Preserved ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 2020 Pipistrel Panthera.

More than a decade has passed since Pipistrel revealed the prototype of its Panthera high-performance four-ace retractable—and caused a sensation.

At the time everyone agreed that the airplane looked fast. Testing and production have since proved that it is, with cruising speeds north of 190 ktas.

The only downside for some prospective buyers has been the long wait for the Panthera to receive FAA certification. The machine currently flies under experimental rules.

The lack of certification has not been a showstopper for everyone, though, as many pilots, unwilling to wait, have purchased Pantheras. It is easy to understand why.

The airplane seems to represent what other piston singles might have become had they continued to evolve over the decades since they first came to market. The Panthera’s sleek composite airframe and elegant, racy interior contrast sharply with the 40- to 60-year-old riveted aluminum aircraft found on most GA airport ramps today.

What almost any pilot of a Piper Comanche, Rockwell Commander or other single with a 260 hp Lycoming IO-540 under the cowling is likely to notice is that the Panthera gets a lot more performance from the engine while burning less fuel and turning heads everywhere it goes. It could be an ideal fit for shoppers who are tired of considering the same old airplanes.

This 2020 Panthera has 801 hours on its airframe and its 260 hp Lycoming IO-540V-V4A5 engine. The aircraft’s panel features dual Garmin G3X 10-inch displays with synthetic vision for PFD and MFD, a Garmin GMC 307 autopilot, GTN 750 Xi GPS/nav/comm, GTN 650 GPS/nav/comm, GMA 35 audio panel, GTX 345R transponder with Mode C and ADS-B In and Out, Mid-Continent Instruments, SAM backup airspeed, backup altimeter, and backup artificial horizon.

Pilots looking for a thoroughly modern four-seat retractable that might be the most efficient aircraft in its category should take a detailed look at this 2020 Pipistrel Panthera, which is available for $760,000 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use their airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: Pipistrel Sees Path to EASA Certification of the Panthera
• FLYING Magazine: Pipistrel’s Four-Seat Panthera Completes First Flight in U.S. Airspace
• FLYING Magazine: Pipistrel Promotes Right Rudder Aviation as Its New U.S. Distributor
• FLYING Magazine: Pipistrel Panthera Debuts
• Plane & Pilot: Pipistrel Panthera
• Plane & Pilot: Ultra-Efficient Panthera Makes Its Grand Entrance
• The Aviation Consumer: Pipistrel Panthera: Sleek, Stylish, Fast

The post This 2020 Pipistrel Panthera Is a Modern, Fast, Efficient ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Dassault aircraft covered by the certification include:

• Falcon 7X/Falcon 8X, FAA, and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) validated
• Falcon 900EX EASy, FAA validated
• Falcon 2000EX EASy, FAA, and EASA validated

The GI 275 is Garmin’s most pixel-dense display to date and includes an intuitive touchscreen with synthetic vision and terrain overlay mirroring the EASy II Primary Display Unit (PDU).

• READ MORE: Avionics Upgrades Go a Long Way

According to Dassault, the GI 275 “seamlessly integrates” with existing aircraft systems, offering the same functionality as the previous stand-by system. 

“The EASy flight deck is designed to meet state-of-the-art redundancy requirement, however, for added safety they always have been complimented by a stand-by instrument of different architecture, hardware, power and sensor sources,” a Dassault spokesperson told FLYING.

The addition of a second GI 275 on the copilot’s side allows the pilot’s instrument to remain the dedicated stand-by for certification. The copilot’s GI 275 can be configured with additional pages to mirror the pilot’s flight display, including the feature of an HSI with a moving map that can be easily panned or zoomed and automatically accessing the active flight plan.

The unit features the SafeTaxi database that improves pilot situational awareness by displaying current airport diagrams in a “nose-up” orientation. The GI 275 also enables pilots to select airports and other points of interest to view airspace, frequencies, and airport hot spots.

The post Garmin GI 275 Added to Dassault Flight Deck Stand-By System appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Runway Occupancy Awareness (ROA) is a software solution that uses Surface Indications and Alert (SURF-IA) technology to warn a pilot about a potential conflict from either an aircraft or ground vehicle, giving the flight crew enough time to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

How It Works

According to Garmin, ROA analyzes aircraft GPS and ADS-B traffic information resulting in enhanced situational awareness. This helps avoid runway and taxiway incursions in the busy and confusing airport environment, especially during low-light situations or during inclement weather when visibility is compromised.

• READ MORE: We Fly: Garmin Autoland for the Beechcraft King Air 200

Crews are alerted of a possible event in time for them to take prompt and corrective action, according to the company.

“With the rate of runway incursions increasing, there is a real need for increased safety tools in the cockpit,” said Phil Straub, Garmin executive vice president and managing director of aviation ROA technology. “Equipping pilots with this technology can reduce the risk of runway incursions and help provide confidence for pilots navigating busy and complex airports.” 

Textron Aviation received the initial FAA certification for ROA on the G1000-equipped Cessna Caravan. Garmin expects to obtain FAA certification for ROA in its G5000 STC for Cessna Citation Excel, XLS, XLS+ and XLS Gen2 by next month. 

• READ MORE: Honeywell Demonstrates SURF-A Runway Incursion Avoidance Tech

Certification for more Garmin-equipped aircraft is expected to follow in the coming months, according to the company.

ROA is initially available on select Garmin-integrated flight decks, ranging from G1000 NXi- to G5000-equipped aircraft serving the broad general and business aviation markets.

“We think it is important for the entire aviation industry to know this technology exists and is available in Garmin-integrated flight decks,” a Garmin spokesperson said. “Our flight decks serve general aviation, business aviation, helicopters, defense, and advanced air mobility, and we feel the entire industry will benefit from more aircraft having this technology. For aircraft equipped with a Garmin integrated flight, which includes ADS-B, this is a software upgrade.”

• READ MORE: FAA Investing $100M in Bid to Curb Runway Incursions

Visual, Aural Warnings

Garmin ROA provides visual crew-alerting system (CAS) caution and warning annunciations to the pilot’s primary flight display (PFD) on Garmin’s Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT) in either yellow or red depending on the level of threat. Warning annunciations appear on the SafeTaxi map while simultaneously appearing on the multifunction window.

The flight crews get both visual and aural alerts, ranging from no immediate collision hazard to a warning level alert where a collision risk could occur within 15 seconds.

The crew will be warned when there is traffic landing, taking off, stopped, or taxiing on the aircraft’s runway. Warnings are also issued when traffic is on approach to the aircraft’s runway or a runway that crosses the aircraft’s runway, or on the runway where the aircraft is holding.

ROA is the next level of Garmin’s other Terminal Safety Solutions, such as Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System (ROAAS), Garmin SafeTaxi, and Garmin SurfaceWatch. This suite of software was created to improve and increase situational awareness during ground operations.

The post Garmin Launches Software to Warn of Potential Runway Incursions appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

• READ MORE: Cirrus Delivers 10,000th SR Series Aircraft

One well-regarded avionics shop—Nexair Avionics in Plymouth, Massachusetts—has been specializing in avionics retrofits for Cirrus models for years and brought one to EAA AirVenture this week. It’s a 2007 SR22T G3 model sporting a fresh panel of new Garmin avionics, and we take a look at the airplane with Nexair sales manager Brian Wolfe.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on The Aviation Consumer.

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