Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft

This course is targeted for the home builder or avionics technician who wants to learn about performing an avionics installation in an experimental aircraft. The class focuses on the Garmin G3X Touch system, and a simplified example harness is constructed as part of the hands-on portion of the class. While the G3X Touch system is the primary focus, the wiring principles and general guidance can be applied to any experimental avionics system. From the do-it-yourselfer to the avionics shop looking to carve out a niche, this class has something for everyone.

This class will start with an overview of wiring basics, but will quickly advance through the common practices involved in wiring. Students will spend a significant portion of this course learning, hands-on, how to wire a G3X Touch system. Attendees will also learn how to plan, install, interface and configure the G3X Touch system.

Presented by: 
Levi Self of Midwest Avionics

Course Goals

Avionics Overview for Experimental Aircraft

  • Regulations concerning experimental aircraft.
  • Planning your avionics installation.
  • Integration with IFR navigators.
  • Compatible 3rd party equipment.
  • ADS-B for experimental aircraft.
  • Differences between experimental and certified avionics.

Tools and Techniques

  • Tools required for avionics installation.
  • General wiring practices and techniques.
  • Shield termination and wire splicing practice.
  • Wiring practices to avoid.

Data Bus Overview

  • Overview of data buses used in experimental aircraft.
  • CAN Bus wire, layouts and terminations.
  • Common data bus wiring mistakes.

Mechanical Installation

  • General equipment installation guidelines.
  • General equipment location, and environmental considerations.
  • ADAHRS vibration considerations.
  • Magnetometer isolation from magnetic interference.
  • Potential problems from improper installations.

Electrical Installation

  • Overview of electrical systems.
  • System architecture.
  • Wiring diagrams.
  • Harness layouts.

Operational Checkout

  • Power and ground checkouts.
  • Initial power up.
  • Software loading.
  • Data bus configuration.
  • General configuration and calibration.
  • Avionics databases.

Planning a Test Flight

  • Flight planning and safety precautions.
  • On ground vs. in air system operational checks.
  • First flight autopilot engagement and tuning.

Troubleshooting

  • Basic troubleshooting tips.
  • Integrated troubleshooting tools.
  • Common mistakes.
  • Troubleshooting guide.

Donovan W.
5

Good course to get the foundations of the G3x system

Gordon M.
5

If you are doing your own avionics planning and harness, this class will save a lot of time/money. Much better to do it right the first time!

Grant B.
5

Great course, very nice people. A good setting to be in for learning.

Jerry L.
5

Highly recommended, couldn't imagine starting an install without taking the course. Very much a bargain.

Bruce E.
5

Must have course for anyone installing an Garmin suite in an experimental aircraft.

Paul M.
5

Great! Well worth it!

Bob B.
5

Absolutely essential for anyone starting out on an avionics installation

Arturo C.
4.8

It is a great learning opportunity!

Scott M.
5

Well worth it. Will save you time, provide help experience. Gives you valuable insights you would dig to find elsewhere.

Ryan M.
5

A must for anyone thinking about wiring their own avionics.

Samuel A.
4.8

A great way to see if avionics are your thing.

Dave P.
5

Really good course - especially if you are interested in G3X

Tristan S.
5

Absolute must if you plan to wire a Garmin GSX

Jake R.
4.8

Excellent 1 stop class for anyone installing Garmin systems in their experimental aircraft.

Kent G.
4.2

Great overview of entire avionics install process with hands on wiring culminating in a sample harness.

Jeff S.
4.8

It's a must for learning some avionics and an absolute must for using Garmin.

Frank P.
5

Take this course!

Kevin R.
5

I highly recommend this course for anyone considering a G3X system for their plane.

Eric T.
5

Great content for experimental or certified alike. Knowledge is powerful.

Dan H.
5

Great course!

Aaron B.
5

Well worth the time and expense.

Melanie S.
5

Would recommend this class to anyone installing a G3X, even if farming out to a shop. It helps to have a general idea of the system and its components, this way I could ask all my questions that came up.

Stewart A.
5

Must attend class for anyone installing G3X. Just finding out about the Proseal mixer was worth it!!

William B.
5

If you are building, thinking about building or just want a better understanding of the G3X system you have to take this class!

Cameron R.
5

A great overview of the Garmin ecosystem and some practical instruction on canbus construction techniques.

Peter B.
5

If you are considering to build your own harness, this is the class for you!

Raj R.
5

Must take class if you are in exp built even if you dont work on your panels!

Kyle H.
5

This course is a pefect blend of hands on learning mixed with excellent writing materials. It provides a great amount of confidence to wire your own aircraft.

Ben E.
5

Will save tons of time when you build your harness & config/troubleshoot install avionics; great materials for future references,

Charles A.
4.4

This class covered topics and skills that are valuable to these interested in starting avionics or working on experimental aircraft

Mike L.
5

Well worth it for anyone building or maintaining avionics

Stephen I.
4.4

You wont come out knowing how to wire an airplane on the first try but you'll be ready to start and know where to go next.

Antonio M.
4.4

You will learn to make a harness, crimping, soldering, Dpins and a great experience if you havent done this class

Scott S.
5

The class answered all my questions I had prior to starting my G3X Install. Very well worth the $$

Erik H.
4.8

An excellent min of lecture & practical work. I feel ready to go home and start my panel!

Morgan K.
4.8

This class is an absolute must for any Garmin Team X Member to understand our customers more and providing knowledge for the many interfaces that the 63X system consist of

Marcus T.
5

Absolutely necessary for 39x install - probably one of the best classes I've ever taken. Very very well done!

Sean P.
5

No brainer to take this class. Saved me money and time!

Robert Y.
5

One of the BEST I've ever attend. Wish I could have attended earlier.

Scott M.
5

EXCELLENT!

Tim F.
5

Anyone building an RU fo first time will get a lot of benefit from this course.

Sam I.
5

A practical workshop/seminar that gives the novice homebuilder the confidence to complete the avionics installation.

Jerry S.
5

Great content & learn a whole lot

Ricardo S.
5

Well worth the time & money

Asim A.
5

An excellent class you should attend to improve your avionics skills

Marvin M.
5

Time well spent to understand the GX System

Doug L.
4.8

Great way to build confidence in your wiring and planning; or give affirmation that you should pay someone else.

Jeff C.
5

Well worth the time and money for someone planning to install a Garmin system.

Richard S.
5

Great class! Instructor was very knowledgeable, engaging, good balance of theory and practical learning.

Steve F.
5

Mandatory to take!

Kate W.
5

Well worth your time if you are wanting to learn how to create a wire harness. You've already put the money in your plane, now is the time to put money in your skill.

Ron H.
5

A must have course for anyone considering wiring their own aircraft.

Mike M.
5

Great course to attend for knowledge on wiring a Garmin panel. I fully understand how and why a CAN BUS operates which was unintimidating at first.

Guru S.
5

Very useful and a good way to learn how to install a G3X system.

Bill C.
5

Even if not planning to build own panel this is a valuable class.

Justin H.
5

There is something in this class for everyone no matter your background.

Jerry V.
5

Great experience. Official course was great but also gained insight from experienced conversations.

Michael C.
5

Well worth it

Barry F.
5

Course accomplishes everything it promises and more. Highly recommend.

Tommy M.
5

No one should start an avionics project without attending this class!

Dan S.
5

Outstanding class - I feel so much non comfortable with the avionics portion of my build now. I'd highly recommend it to any EAB homebuilder.

Greig H.
5

Extremely valuable class for every experimental builder. Well worth the time and money invested.

Ken N.
5

This was well worth the time and money.

Steve C.
5

Great confidence builder / Intro to tools.

Alex C.
5

Absolutely worth taking if you're wiring your own panel. Informative and very fun.

Don P.
5

Very comprehensive without too much information. Very well done.

Sarah C.
5

Very helpful even for someone with zero aviation experience.

William A.
5

Well worth the cost and time of the course - 24 hours likely saved me 200+ hours of frustration.

Kevin S.
5

Great instructor, young (knowledgeable and very descriptive).

Skyler H.
5

a great class for anyone to get started with their avionics install.

Don C.
5

Well worth attending

Jay H.
5

anyone wanting to build an airplane should take this class even if they aren't going to do the wiring themselves.

Bill E.
5

A must take class.

Mitchell D.
5

Really good class. Very hands on.

Michael B.
5

Well worth your time and money. I learned so much about wiring and installing a G3X.

Ken F.
5

Do not rate this class on your first price impression. The value is experienced from the start of the class to the end. You will not be disappointed!

Greg S.
5

All panel builders should attend. Great way to start and will reduce frustration. Really helped me decide on my panel configuration.

Michael E.
5

Well worth the time and money builds confidence and knowledge

Bill C.
4.8

Be prepared know the basics and be ready to practice & gain confidence.

Michael C.
5

Great overview of G3X system and hands on installation experience. Must have in order to understand system and component interaction.

Jay F.
5

Excellent intro into the Garmin system and how to wire. I feel much more confident and comfortable with avionics

Keith B.
5

Great class

Mick B.
5

Do yourself a favor, class will holster your confidence and you'll be way ahead of your fellow builders.

Lance  M.
4.8

This course gives the amatuer aircraft builder the knowledge and hands on ability to self-install modern, networked avionics. The course focuses on teh Garmin GSX avionics system.

Terry S.
5

Very informative, real world applications, Garmin specific

David  M.
5

Great course for G3X & Exp world

Greg B.
5

thorough, insightful, well rounded.

Charles T.
4.8

terrific course - lots of information

Andrew H.
4.8

I would highly recommend, Levi was excellent. would love to learn more techniques in the class.

Robert H.
5

If you are building own plane & plan to use G3X panel. well worth attending to see what involved to determine if you will do your own avionics install an not. Well worth even if not self installing just to see what you one paying for if one pays for panel build up.

Michael K.
5

Definitely recommend it for anyone building an EAB looking to wire their avionics.

Turner B.
5

Worth every penny!

Corey S.
4.8

Take notes, listen and learn, everything you need to know is covered

Lance C.
4.8

This was a great balance of where I was hoping it would be. Good mix of system information, planning, hands on wiring work and most of all with a practical perspective.

Julio H.
4.4

Well worth the cost. Don't be penny wise and pound foolish.

Dave W.
5

If you plan to do your own (panel) avionics or have someone else do them much valuable information is gained. Excellent building block toward completion.

Terry P.
4.6

Great overall introduction level class. Bring your questions.

David C.
5

Great class, I learned a lot and feel much more comfortable with the tasks covered

Wallace G.
4

Lots of real world nuggets - chance to get questions answered

John H.
5

Great class for those considering installing G3X in their experimental aircraft

Larry W.
5

A great review of what to expect for the G3X Installation

Shannon C.
4.8

Well worth the time and cost of the class

Brian L.
4.6

TAKE IT SIGN UP PIZZA

Gregg S.
5

Essential for any builder wanting to install a Garmin panel. Will save you time and heartache.

Steve L.
5

Great class, very worth the time and money

Steve L.
5

Great class, very worth the time and money

Michael M.
4.6

Awesome demonstration of Garmin Experimental equipment and how to configure it.

Zrinko A.
4.8

Well worth the money! Repeat every three years!

Barry B.
4.8

Excellent course to prepare you to install your own system.

Jared W.
5

Well worth your time to attend.

Ray D.
5

Do it

Steve I.
5

Very informative. Covers basic to advanced info.

Leif B.
4.6

Very good.

AEA Member $499 | Non-Member $549