Message-ID: <3AAEC699.B5D6F3AA@qwest.net>
Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2001 17:17:13 -0800
From: Curtis Krouse <kc16@qwest.net>
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Subject: Re: Re Garmin 530 boycott
References: <3AAD853B.8C6560B9@optonline.net> <3AADB239.4655EA16@regandesigns.com> <3AADB95F.E2FE788E@qwest.net> <3AADE52D.E41C6BC3@regandesigns.com>
Reply-To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Mime-Version: 1.0

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Hamid,

This will be the last time I respond to your thread that obviously
reveals to me that you have a problem with people designing and
installing their own avionics or whatever type of systems that you
believe are too high tech for the average builder.

First of all:

I did not say the following quote...you did...I was iterating it back to
you to make a point.  That quote from your first email was:
> > Will you be willing to sign and abide by an agreement that bars you from
> > making any negative comments about Garmin in case the system does not
> > work as expected or if the whole installation turns out to be
> > nightmare?  

> NOT IN YOUR LIFETIME OR MINE!

Your quote is in upper and lower case....my response is the last
sentence all in caps.

Your line of thinking obviously differs greatly from mine.  I believe
that there are no aircraft systems that have been invented that I can't
understand with a little time and a lot of reading and asking other
experts like the people on this list.  You obviously think differently. 
Maybe because of your past experiences, maybe because of a cultural
difference....I don't really know.  What I do know is that you feel
passionately about the subject.  I respect that, but totally disagree
with your viewpoint.

As an aircraft manufacturer...which I am because that is what the FAA
classifies me as... I believe that I should be able to buy equipment
from any distributorship for installation.  If I'm willing to pay for
support, then they should provide it.  If I'm willing to take the risk
and try non-standard installations, then that is my risk and I fully
realize that and am willing to accept the consequences.

This all really is a mute point since Adam Molny was gracious enough to
include the following in the thread

"I copied the following from Southeast Aerospace's FAQ page:

Q. What is Garmin's installation policy for their TSO'd and IFR
products?
A. In order to ensure proper installation and certification of specific
Garmin panel-mounted products, Garmin requires Garmin distributors to
personally install every new listed product they sell. These products
include the GNS-430, GNS-530, GNC-420, GPS-400, GNC-300XL, GPS-155XL,
GPS-165, GMA-340, and GTX-327. There are only two exceptions to this
distributor installation only policy. First, a distributor may sell the
aforementioned equipment for amateur built/kitplane customers provided
that this equipment is sold as part of an entire panel, with all
interfacing between systems and bench testing completed by the Garmin
distributor. Second, a distributor may sell the aforementioned equipment
direct to another Garmin distributor.

http://www.seaerospace.com/faq.htm#18g

Oddly enough, Garmin has posted the installation manual for the GNS 430
on their web site.

Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that the point of building your own
airplane is to BUILD YOUR OWN AIRPLANE. If a builder feels confident in
attempting a particular task, he should be free to proceed (at his own
risk, of course)."

Adam, thank you very much for doing this research.  It answers my
questions about whether or not I can purchase a Garmin whatever and have
it TSO'd or IFR approved.  Looks like I can't do it myself unless I find
a distributor willing to sell and sign off my installation.  So, I'll
probably be looking for another system to put on my panel.  It's too bad
too because the Garmin 430 would be perfect in a limited space panel.

Hamid.....you and I need to agree to disagree.....  I will answer one of
your questions though.  That question is: "You seem to be pretty well
set in your opinion that as a builder you should be
designing and building your own avionics installation.  Where do you
draw the line?"  My answer is:  As long as I am considered the
manufacturer of an airplane, I won't draw the line for myself or anyone
else on what systems can or can't be designed and installed in an
aircraft.  The whole spirit of the experimental class is to inovate and
design new technologies.  This is a freedom that should not be
discouraged.  True inovation comes out of that freedom.  Take a look at
the plane that we are building today.....20 years ago none of this
technology was available commercially.  Only because of the courage and
risk that others have taken before us with the freedom which the
experimental class endows us with, do we enjoy the fruits of that
freedom.  There is nothing that should take that away.  Especially a
company that makes aviation products.  I won't entertain any other
opinions on this thread from this point on.  I've said my piece.

Curtis Krouse N753K
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