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I know a lot of builders out there are considering the Blue Mountain
EFIS-One because I continue to receive many questions and comments about
the system. In case you aren't aware, I committed to testing this
system over a year ago and report the results back to the list. Now OSH
2002 is upon us and I am sure many of you are wondering how the
"testing" is going, so I've decided to comment our reaction to the
inexpensive EFIS system, partly due to some of the comments we've read
on Greg Richters discussion board. He has led people to believe that
Lancair Avionics is currently flight testing the system and that we are
happy with it. We are not. We don't have a system. The (third) system
was returned to him some time ago. He also mentions that Aerotronics
has a complete system. I can't speak for them but I would be suprised
if they have had success with the Blue Mountain EFIS One and would be
suprised that a shop of Aerotronics' caliber would sell the system
without testing it completely as well.
First, let me state that we have NOT sucessfully tested the EFIS One.
As with any new product on the market, problems are to be expected. I
will not go into the details of various equipment/software problems but
will say that we will NOT be supportting the Blue Mountain EFIS System
until we see significant improvements, sucessfully flight test the
system, and develope a track record of reliable operation. I can't
think of one reputable shop out there that would recommend ANY new
product at any cost (especially EFIS) without first testing the
equipment or having some reasonable assurance that it is designed to
work properly in an aircraft environment (certified equipment for
instance).
Seeing this system "work" on the bench or in some sort of display is
one thing. Putting the system in a Lancair, installed as prescribed in
Blue Mountains installation instructions, testing functionality at slow,
cruise, and high speeds, at altitude, etc is another. For example,
right out of Blue Mountains "hard specs" (www.bluemountainavionics.com),
the thermal operating range is 0-60 degrees C. So then, what can you
expect at altitude in a IV when things get chilly at 24,000' ?? What
about HERF testing?? What effect does airframe vibration and harmonic
frequencies have on the computer-style dvd drive that you are supposed
to mount? The install instructions say "Mounting the DVD drive is a
matter of taste. Keep it within four (4) feet of the processor, and put
it wherever you like. On the panel looks good, or in a bulkhead nearby"
These are the types of things we test before selling to our customers.
Safety and reliability is paramount with any product we offer.
According to Greg Richter at Blue Mountain, Gulf Coast Avionics is
selling his system like hotcakes. Although I haven't talked with them,
I suspect they haven't fully tested the system. I don't think ANYONE
has or Greg would have put me in touch with the results. I haven't even
seen the system fly in a demo environment. Every EFIS manufacturer I've
dealt with has put me in an aircraft to show off their system except
Blue Mountain.
So here is where things are: Greg Richter promised to deliver a new
and improved unit on July 5th for me to install in our company aircraft
which I was to fly for evaluation to OSH. It didn't show up. Greg was
on the West Coast the following week and didn't bring it then either. I
spoke with him yesterday (7/16) and he admitted it wasn't ready to ship
on the 5th but promised he would hand-deliver the test unit to me at
OSH.
Since we are trying to evaluate this product as thouroughly as
possible, I've also been in conversation with Bob Nuckolls of Aero
Electric Connection (www.aeroelectric.com). Bob does failure analysis
and product evaluations for Ratheon and is a technical writer for
various magazines. He is interested in doing a technical evaluation
with Blue Mountain and will be contacting Greg after OSH. If any of you
are interested in contacting Bob, his email address is
nuckolls@aeroelectric.com He also does aircraft wiring/design
seminars for experimental aircraft builders which has been invaluable to
some of the builders out there.
If anyone has any positive or negative experience with the Blue
Mountain system, I would love to talk with you about it. I'm interested
in talking with those that have purchased, taken delivery and installed
the Blue Mountain system. Of course, we'll be at OSH under the Lancair
tent and displaying some new equipment we are currently testing as well
as the time proven, tested and rock-solid Chelton Flight Systems EFIS.
Fly Safe!
Kirk Hammersmith
Lancair Avionics, Inc.
www.lancairavionics.com
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