Frustrations

I had an inoperative transponder.  This was discovered when I completed the “Prebuy”.  It’s an inspection done to the aircraft.  As a new potential buyer, a prebuy is highly recommended and I agree.  After hours of research, I decided on a GTX 345, which has the transponder and the ADSB-Out requirement in addition to the ADSB-In feature.  I’m quite excited about the new equipment.  I’m looking forward to slowly updating the avionics in my old/new aircraft.

Here’s the frustrating part, I knew it was going to take time to buy and install the part.  The airplane market is like the housing market.  People are bidding wildly without getting a proper prebuy, let alone looking at the logbooks.  I was told it would take weeks for them to install the new transponder.  This was out in California, so I was expecting the same for Arizona shops.  It’s taken weeks, with gentle reminders.  I hate the delay and I feel like I pushing my one current student to leave.  Hopefully, Chandler Avionics get the job done by this coming week.  I don’t really have a choice.  They have my deposit and would charge a 15 percent restocking fee if I were to cancel.

Owning an aircraft can get pretty pricey, but don’t skip out on the prebuy.  It protects you as a new aircraft owner.  I can’t tell you the amount of time I’ve spent on spreadsheets, making phone calls, waiting on quotes, and asking help because it takes an army sometimes.

Updates on the transponder.  After several visits to Chandler Avionics, my transponder is at 90 percent operation.  It provides ADSB-In and Out; obeying the legal requirement of 91.255.  I’m fortunate to have traffic alerts and free weather updates pour into my Ipad.  I’ve joined the Cessna172club.  It’s all about reading and arming yourself with the information you need.

For example, a man who we will call Dave has called me out several times because of distorted radio communications on his end.  My avionics are old.  The A & P (Airframe & Powerplant) came into a couple of issues with the install.  Did you know you can install a filter for your alternator to drown out some of the noise?  I didn’t.  This is a simple attempt to maintain the relationship I have with Chandler ATC and give me time to save for a new communication panel.  I think Dave has super hearing because he can actually hear a light, maybe blaring hum over the speakers at Chandler tower.  Here’s a fun fact.  According to the avionic people, if I start to hear a light hum on my side of the headset, it’s an indication that my alternator is dying.  Why?  An answer for another day.

Constantly learning!