Return-Path: Sender: (Marvin Kaye) To: lml@lancaironline.net Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2003 15:26:37 -0400 Message-ID: X-Original-Return-Path: Received: from [66.126.157.183] (account kirk@direct2avionics.com) by logan.com (CommuniGate Pro IMAP 4.1.5) with XMIT id 2631860 for lml@lancaironline.net; Fri, 10 Oct 2003 14:57:43 -0400 Subject: Blue Mountain Avionics EFIS? X-Original-Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2003 11:57:31 -0700 Organization: Direct-To Avionics X-Original-Message-Id: MIME-Version: 1.0 Thread-Topic: Blue Mountain Avionics EFIS? Priority: Normal Importance: normal X-Priority: 3 Sensitivity: Normal Thread-Index: AcOPYFvA86ypKvt3Rr6ilypirSRAiA== From: "Kirk Hammersmith" X-Original-To: "lml@lancaironline.net" Reply-To: "kirk@direct2avionics.com" X-Mailer: CommuniGate Pro MAPI Connector 1.0.68 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----_=_NextPart_28145_00005705.00024464" ------_=_NextPart_28145_00005705.00024464 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Since I see my name in the papers again, I will make a comment on the BMA system. First of all, I am biased toward Chelton Flight Systems since I distribute that system, so my opinion is skewed (Chelton makes the finest synthetic EFIS system on the market, bar none! =96 proof that I really am biased.) However, not everyone can afford the higher price of the Chelton system. With that said, anyone considering any EFIS (Blue Mountain, Chelton, OP, Grand Rapids, etc) should verify the performance claims made on paper by contacting individuals that have first-hand experience with the system in an aircraft environment. Anybody can build a system that looks good on a tabletop (Microsoft builds an excellent flight simulator!!) Frank Romeo is doing the right thing by asking if anyone has experience with the system. None of the responses (so far) have been from individuals that have flown the system to my knowledge. The testing I did w/ BMA was specifically related to the dynamics of the AHRS and whether or not Blue Mountain would be able to remove the errors we saw. The errors were in fact removed in the Lancair installation by =93gps aiding=94 and other modifications to their algorithms. Malcom Thompson has told me that their system is not dependant on the gps to work properly; the fact is - without the gps aiding, we saw significant errors. Again, the only testing done was regarding AHRS dynamics. Nothing was tested regarding environmental or IFR capability, human factor, flight planning, re-routing, engine monitoring, autopilot, lightning or static discharge, vibration, temperature, etc. If an EFIS manufacturer is interested in demonstrating how well their system works, it seems reasonable enough to expect a demonstration of that system in the aircraft you are building. I=92ve flown the BMA EFIS, as well as the Dynon EFIS. I=92ve never seen the OP Tech system fly and Grand Rapids hasn=92t shipped anything yet. Finally, I=92ve learned that Lancair has removed the Blue Mountain system from their aircraft and permanently returned it to Blue Mountain. In my opinion, the BMA system is a wonderful VFR-only platform. However, I would never install the system as a primary flight instrument in my own aircraft, put my friends or family in it, and fly into IMC conditions. I am installing a dual screen Chelton system in my Lancair ES. If Chelton were not available or if I couldn=92t afford it, I would be installing steam-gauges and a Garmin 530 or UPS CNX-80/MX-20. If ANYONE flying a Lancair which includes the BMA or any other EFIS has any IFR experience to share, I think it would be a valuable contribution to this list. An interesting website to see how the Certified Chelton system is doing in Alaska (Capstone), go to http://www.alaska.faa.gov/capstone/phase2/aircraft.htm There you will see installations in some of the participating aircraft. One Cessna has logged over 400 hours in 3 months. That=92s a lot of flyin=92!! Anyone interested in more in-depth info regarding the Experimental or Certified Chelton EFIS, you are welcome to email me off the list. Kirk Hammersmith Direct-To Avionics kirk@direct2avionics.com ------_=_NextPart_28145_00005705.00024464 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Since I see my name in the papers again, I will make a comment on t= he BMA system.  First of all, I am biased toward Chelton Flight Systems s= ince I distribute that system, so my opinion is skewed (Chelton makes the finest synthetic EFIS system on the market, bar none! =96 proof that I really am biased.)  However, not everyone can afford the higher price of the Che= lton system.  With that said, anyone considering any EFIS (Blue Mountain, Chelton, OP, = Grand Rapids, etc= ) should verify the performance claims made on paper by contacting individuals that = have first-hand experience with the system in an aircraft environment.  Any= body can build a system that looks good on a tabletop (Microsoft builds an excel= lent flight simulator!!)  Frank Romeo is doing the right thing by asking if anyone has experience with the system.  None of the responses (so far) have been from individuals that have flown the system to my knowledge. = ; The testing I did w/ BMA was specifically related to the dynamics of the AH= RS and whether or not Blue Mountain would be able to remove the errors we saw. = ; The errors were in fact removed in the Lancair installation by =93gps aiding=94 and other modifications to their algorithms.  Malcom Thompson has told= me that their system is not dependant on the gps to work properly; the fact is= - without the gps aiding, we saw significant errors.  Again, the only testing do= ne was regarding AHRS dynamics.  Nothing was tested regarding environment= al or IFR capability, human factor, flight planning, re-routing, engine monitoring, autopilot, lightning or static discharge, vibration, temperatur= e, etc.    

 

If an EFIS manufacturer is interested in demonstrating how well the= ir system works, it seems reasonable enough to expect a demonstration of that system in the aircraft you are building.  I=92ve flown the BMA EFIS, as well as the Dynon EFIS.  I=92ve never seen the OP Tech system fly and Grand Rap= ids hasn=92t shipped anything yet.&n= bsp;

 

Finally, I=92ve learned that Lancair has removed the = Blue Mountain system from their aircraft and permanently returned it to Blue Mountain.    

 

In my opinion, the BMA system is a wonderful VFR-only platform.&nbs= p; However, I would never install the system as a primary flight instrument in my own aircraft, put my friends or family in it, and fly into IMC conditions. = ; I am installing a dual screen Chelton system in my Lancair ES.  If Chelt= on were not available or if I couldn=92t afford it, I would be installing steam-gauges and a Garmin 530 or UPS CNX-80/MX-20.  If ANYONE flying a= Lancair which includes the BMA or any other EFIS has any IFR experience to share, I think it would be a valuable contribution to this list.

 

An interesting website to see how the Certified Chelton system is d= oing in Alaska (Capstone), go to http://w= ww.alaska.faa.gov/capstone/phase2/aircraft.htm  There you will see installations in some of the participating aircraf= t.  One Cessna has logged over 400 hours in 3 months.  That=92s a lot of f= lyin=92!!

 

Anyone interested in more in-depth info regarding the Experimental = or Certified Chelton EFIS, you are welcome to email me off the list.

 

Kirk Hammersmith
Direct-To Avionics
kirk@direct2avionics.com=
 

 

------_=_NextPart_28145_00005705.00024464--