DeHavilland Beaver

[Chalenge]

I'm thinking about crossing over to powered flight. I really, really like the idea of owning one of the DHC-2's because of their solid reliability, but of course of I go that route I would have to upgrade it to modern electronics. I have not researched it yet, but from what I hear Harrison Ford had one upgraded to glass? I've been wanting to do this since high school! A floatplane with a G1000 setup?

Anyone have experience with that? Gawd, the hunting and fishing you could do with one of those! Anyone have anything in mind to be concerned about?

[avionix]

I work for an avionics company here in Central Florida. One of the largest in the country.

You won't be able to go with a G1000 system. They are really going to be found in new aircraft as they are built onto the Type Certificate of the aircraft. The aircraft where you can upgrade to a G1000 system are going to be the Beech King Air 200 and 300 series aircraft. Upgrade like that would be in the range of $250k and above.

The best option is going to be a G500 TXi EFIS system from Garmin. Great capability with this system and our shop has done quite a large number of upgrades. We are currently finishing a Piper 6X and rolling into a Partenavia P68 Observer and Twin Commander 500. You can add Synthetic Vision, engine monitoring and pair with GTN 650/750Xi GPS/Nav/Coms. Display of ADS-B traffic and weather is available as well.

Typical full panel installation is going to set you back $85k and above.





This recent Cessna 414 Upgrade was in the $165k ballpark.
Garmin G500 TXi EFIS
Garmin GTN750 GPS/Nav/Com (Dual)
Garmin GMA 35c Audio Panel
Garmin GTX 345 Remote Transponder
Garmin GTS 800 Active Traffic System
Garmin GFC 600 Autopilot
JP Instruments EDM-960 Engine Monitor
New pilot, center and co-pilot panels

If you ever get something and are interested in an upgrade, let me know.

[Chalenge]

Thanks for the reply! I have to get checked out on floats first.

How long does an upgrade like that take to complete?

[avionix]

Thanks for the reply! I have to get checked out on floats first.

How long does an upgrade like that take to complete?

Probably looking about 2 months. Pretty big upgrade and usually runs in the 3-400 hour range.

[Busher]

Thanks for the reply! I have to get checked out on floats first.

How long does an upgrade like that take to complete?

I haven't flown floats since I was a kid but the Beaver might be a bit much for a new float pilot. Do you have any radial engine time?

[Mister Fork]

Are you thinking of a Turbo DHC-2? I've flown in that. Nice upgraded bird.

[Mister Fork]

Also, I've flown in a Murphy Moose on floats too. That's a sweet birb.

[Chalenge]

I haven't flown floats since I was a kid but the Beaver might be a bit much for a new float pilot. Do you have any radial engine time?

No. I do like a challenge though! I think I'll have plenty of practice by the time I get it home. What would you recommend? Maybe a Goose, or Otter?

[TyFoo]

I'm thinking about crossing over to powered flight. I really, really like the idea of owning one of the DHC-2's because of their solid reliability, but of course of I go that route I would have to upgrade it to modern electronics. I have not researched it yet, but from what I hear Harrison Ford had one upgraded to glass? I've been wanting to do this since high school! A floatplane with a G1000 setup?

Anyone have experience with that? Gawd, the hunting and fishing you could do with one of those! Anyone have anything in mind to be concerned about?

When you say crossing over to Powered flight, do you mean getting your Private Pilot license?

[Shuffler]

When you say crossing over to Powered flight, do you mean getting your Private Pilot license?

I just took it as he is tired of falling off the roof.

[perdue3]

They're pricey.

[Chalenge]

When you say crossing over to Powered flight, do you mean getting your Private Pilot license?

Crossing over from soaring.

[Busher]

No. I do like a challenge though! I think I'll have plenty of practice by the time I get it home. What would you recommend? Maybe a Goose, or Otter?

For ease of flying and a hell of a lot lower maintenance cost, I would look at a Cessna 185.

[Mister Fork]

For ease of flying and a hell of a lot lower maintenance cost, I would look at a Cessna 185.

...or a well kept Cessna 152. As your first birb. Easy to fly and maintain. If you fly it enough and want to go further/longer, then look at bigger planes. If I decide to go back to flying, it's a progression - you don't hop into a Formula 1 car because you can buy a $10M car. You get a Mustang or a Corvette just to try them out.

ALSO - in my neighbourhood, pilots will co-share an aircraft to offset cost of ownership OR to just ensure the airplane is flown...they don't deal well sitting for long periods of time. I was offered a 3-way share on a Mooney from a bud at my legion, real cheap (like $1500). They're out there.

[Busher]

Crossing over from soaring.

Then it'll be quite some time before you're ready to handle a large taildragger like a C185 or a Beaver.

Nothing against the C152 suggested above, but I would recommend doing as much conversion as possible on a small taildragger like a C170 or a Citabria. Teaches you what a rudder is for and will make you a better pilot overall.