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RV-Friendly Avionics Shop

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StuBob

Well Known Member
Patron
The avionics shop I use for the Skywagon has failed to reply when I sent them a query about RV panel work, so I’m casting a wider net. I’m looking for a shop with enough RV experience that I don’t have to worry about them, say, grabbing the canopy in the wrong place, to do a mild to moderate panel update. I have a G3X Touch, GTN750, GFC500, and some old stuff filling in other holes. I’d like to empty the holes and upgrade safety, meaning: standby AI/ADI, autopilot disconnect switch, heated pitot/AoA (already bought, not installed), and EIS to interface with the G3X. It’s possible that I might need to have a new panel cut, but I’d like to avoid that.

I’m in Indianapolis. The closer to home the better.

Thanks.
 
Steinair is about 400 miles from Indianapolis, in Fairbault, MN. Exceptionally reliable, super nice people, not just RV-knowledgeable but is RV-enthusiastic. I don't know about pricing, but I'm confident you wouldn't find anyone more knowledgeable or reliable.
 
Stu, you are making very minor panel modifications. Recommend you try doing them yourself. If need be find a local builder that has done this and have him look over your shoulder.

Cutting a new panel is little more than a new blank from Van’s, time cutting holes then paint.

Carl
 
Midwest Avionics in Lee's Summit Missouri (Kansas City Metro Area) is extremely RV friendly. They built my avionics bundles and the owner was always very responsive by phone whenever I had an installation or configuration question. Top notch customer support all the way around.

The owner's name is Levi Self. He teaches the homebuilders avionics course that AEA advertises on here a couple of times a year, owns an RV, and used to be a systems engineer for Garmin before he chucked the corporate life and opened up the avionics shop. Some of the oldest posts from G3Xpert on here were from him.

I would absolutely trust him to work on my airplane.
 
Carl Froehlich said:
Stu, you are making very minor panel modifications. Recommend you try doing them yourself. If need be find a local builder that has done this and have him look over your shoulder.

Cutting a new panel is little more than a new blank from Van’s, time cutting holes then paint.

Carl
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Maybe. I have to admit the autopilot servo swap (one down; one to go) has been a lot easier than I anticipated. And there’s good help within mere yards of my hangar. It’s just intimidating to consider getting everything torn apart and being unable to get it back together.
 
If you want close to home, you can’t get much closer than Lafayette. Josh sold me all of the Garmin stuff when I built my panel at a great price. Also flys an RV. Delivered a bunch of the stuff to me via his RV!

Brian
RV14A
Valparaiso, IN
 
I cannot recommend Midwest Panel Builders. I was all set to have them build a Garmin glass panel for me (for an RV-10). The business was theirs to lose, and they lost it. They had trouble returning phone calls, giving price quotes, and answering questions. In general, I would say that their support was very poor. Certainly their support is not worth the ~$8k (plus instruments, ~$55k total) that you are going to be paying them to build a panel for you. Since Midwest's support was so poor, I started looking into Dynon/AFS. So far, I have been much happier with Dynon/AFS. If money is no object, you might also consider SteinAir.
 
Call Jason at Aerotronics in Billings, MT. They do many experimental panels and have a large hangar for upgrades on both certified and exp aircraft.
 
StuBob said:
Maybe. I have to admit the autopilot servo swap (one down; one to go) has been a lot easier than I anticipated. And there’s good help within mere yards of my hangar. It’s just intimidating to consider getting everything torn apart and being unable to get it back together.
Click to expand...
Carl Froehlich said:
Stu, you are making very minor panel modifications. Recommend you try doing them yourself. If need be find a local builder that has done this and have him look over your shoulder.

Cutting a new panel is little more than a new blank from Van’s, time cutting holes then paint.

Carl
Click to expand...
+1 for doing it yourself. Tim Hass at Approach fast Stack will build you harnesses that are work of art. All you have to do is to physically mount your new avionics and do the configuration.
 
dforgerson said:
I cannot recommend Midwest Panel Builders. I was all set to have them build a Garmin glass panel for me (for an RV-10). The business was theirs to lose, and they lost it. They had trouble returning phone calls, giving price quotes, and answering questions. In general, I would say that their support was very poor. Certainly their support is not worth the ~$8k (plus instruments, ~$55k total) that you are going to be paying them to build a panel for you. Since Midwest's support was so poor, I started looking into Dynon/AFS. So far, I have been much happier with Dynon/AFS. If money is no object, you might also consider SteinAir.
Click to expand...
If I was looking into re-doing my panel, I would sure look hard at an Advanced Panel from Advanced Flight Systems (subsidiary of Dynon) using either AFS or Dynon instrumentation. They have great customer service and I think the Advanced Control Module concept is really clever. Rob Hickman has been one of the prime movers in Experimental avionics since the very beginning.

Advanced Flight Systems | Advanced Panel Systems

Each ADVANCEDPANEL includes a well-engineered instrument panel that is professionally wired, configured, tested and ready to install.
www.advancedflightsystems.com www.advancedflightsystems.com
 
MacCool said:
If I was looking into re-doing my panel, I would sure look hard at an Advanced Panel from Advanced Flight Systems (subsidiary of Dynon) using either AFS or Dynon instrumentation. They have great customer service and I think the Advanced Control Module concept is really clever. Rob Hickman has been one of the prime movers in Experimental avionics since the very beginning.

Advanced Flight Systems | Advanced Panel Systems

Each ADVANCEDPANEL includes a well-engineered instrument panel that is professionally wired, configured, tested and ready to install.
www.advancedflightsystems.com www.advancedflightsystems.com
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This is an old thread and perhaps Stu has got it done.
Still, Advance is great. Rob and Jenny were hangar neighbors when they started the business many moons ago.
Good people.
My new panel is designed and I’ll be dropping off the old one to them for match drilling mounting holes (not necessary for newer models but all 6’s were drillled by the builder.).

I can add a little observation for anyone considering a partial upgrade like the OP. My panel went through a couple “minor”’upgrades over the 20 or so years. An EFIS change out and a complete rework of the electrical distribution system due to a failed consolidated pizo piece of cra…
It is really challenging working under the panel as we all know. The biggest challenge is keeping things neat and organized, properly strain relieved, and labeled. Consistency and quality can suffer. Short cuts look good when you’re cramping up and on your back. Even a good Avionics shop may not perform their best work unless they remove the panel and that is a whole different animal in itself.
I got it done and as I was pulling out my old panel for my upgrade I noticed I didn’t do too bad of a job. However, it was still more like a rats nest than a fine work of art. It all worked and I never had a problem. Things were labeled ok, but still had some guess work. All in all, it was ok but I am super excited to start working on the new Advance ACU, interface components, and panel install. It will be sooo much easier and cleaner.
 
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Desert Rat said:
Midwest Avionics in Lee's Summit Missouri (Kansas City Metro Area) is extremely RV friendly. They built my avionics bundles and the owner was always very responsive by phone whenever I had an installation or configuration question. Top notch customer support all the way around.

The owner's name is Levi Self. He teaches the homebuilders avionics course that AEA advertises on here a couple of times a year, owns an RV, and used to be a systems engineer for Garmin before he chucked the corporate life and opened up the avionics shop. Some of the oldest posts from G3Xpert on here were from him.

I would absolutely trust him to work on my airplane.
Click to expand...
I second Midwest Avionics in Lees Summit. Top notch shop.
 
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