When gas was cheap(er), no one thought about doing avionics training on the ground. After all, how long does it take to learn to tune a radio and center a needle? Glass panels changed that. Now, even if you have a sim program, you still have to seal the deal with some seat time in the airplane. Thats best done on the ground, preferably with the engine off and thats where a ground power unit comes in. Not many owner hangars have these valuable gadgets, but a new offering from Audio Authority, the 2860A GPU, might provide a reason to buy one. With 60 amps of output, the Enhanced Flight GPU is the only small product of its kind to provide start assist capability.
Heavy Duty
This GPU is designed and constructed more or less like an audio rack component because thats where it comes from. The product is built by Audio Authority, which actually specializes in audio display components for retail stores but whose owner, Jonathan Sisk, has been active in developing STCs for the Piper Mirage.
The 2860A GPU is small for its output, measuring 7.2 by 14.6 by 13.7 inches with a weight of 23.8 pounds. Its easily carryable in a baggage compartment, if