When David Matthews purchased his Beechcraft Baron, he described the plane's avionics as "sad". The panel consisted of 1980 vintage Collins and King equipment that were dated and in need of repair. "I purchased the Baron at a price that would allow me the opportunity to update the avionics panel," Matthews stated. The end product has transformed the Baron from the ordinary, to the extraordinary. "In addition to reducing pilot workload for me, I now own a one-of-a-kind aircraft which will make it much easier for me to sell if I later decide to upgrade. This makes the money I spent more of an investment than an expense," Matthews added. Matthews' avionics project began as a 10 item upgrade but after his trip to Airventure at Oshkosh, Wis. he added an Avidyne EX500 MFD that features radar, flight position and chart display and an Aspen EFD1000 Pro PFD. Matthews is now considering installing the Aspen EFD1000 MFD and the Aspen EFD500 MFD. "I just have to determine where the required back-up instruments can fit on the panel," Matthews said. "My installation experience could not have been better," Matthews stated. "I came by the hangar several times a week to check on the progress and was always impressed with the painstaking care that Bragg Avionics was taking with my airplane. Each member of the installation team gave me and the airplane personal attention and it was obvious that they were not only competent in their work but they were determined to do things perfectly. I not only felt like a member of the team, I felt like a member of the family," Matthews added. When asked to choose a favorite of the new avionics he said, "I'd have to say the GNS530 and its features and the Aspen with the Roll Steering. It reduces my workload to the extent that I'm able to concentrate on other piloting tasks and situational awareness. For me this makes flying easier and in many cases, stress-free which makes for a more enjoyable flying experience!" David Matthews in an entrepreneur and lives in Ponte Vedra Beach. He formally owned, developed and managed retirement communities from New York to Florida. He sold the businesses "on Pearl Harbor Day" in 2005. "I'm not sure if that was a harbinger," Matthews mused. He now spends his time investing in real estate, business consulting and "looking for a great opportunity!" He travels extensively in the Baron having just returned from trips to Phoenix, AZ , New Orleans, Stowe, VT and Reading, PA.
Prices reflected are subject to change without notice, installed prices may vary. Contact us for a consultation.
Bragg Avionics, Inc. ● 855 St. N. St. Johns Bluff Rd. ● Jacksonville, FL 32225 Phone (904) 564-1717 ● Fax (904) 564-1718 ● 1-877-564-1717 ● braggave@bellsouth.net
