Last year Dynon Avionics took a different approach to avionics installations by approving A&P mechanics to install its SkyView HDX Certified integrated avionics. To review, the capable SkyView Certified equipment is essentially the same basic platform as the company’s experimental SkyView HDX, but has an AML-STC for certified aircraft. Instead of setting up a large dealer network of avionics shops (generally FAA repair stations), Dynon leaves it up to the aircraft owner to nominate a qualified A&P mechanic with IA credentials to do the installation (or install it themselves if qualified). Once Dynon verifies that the mechanic has a valid IA certificate, he or she is listed in the STC as the official installer. The AML-STC has grown to over 600 models, which was initially limited to Cessna Skyhawks. I followed a Dynon project in a Cessna and you can link to the video at tinyurl.com/v66jykb and read about it in the July 2019 Aviation Consumer.
The approach had many in the industry skeptical. After all, many A&P mechanics will admit they don’t have the experience to complete a complex integrated avionics install in the amount of time that a customer might demand. But there are plenty of skilled A&P/IA mechanics who have installed Dynon and other avionics in experimental airplanes and these are the ones who have tackled these projects. And yes, some have taken a long time to finish them because of shop workload and the learning curve. I talked with Dynon’s Michael Schofield who told me that Dynon has been building its installation network (there are 20-something shops—not necessarily avionics shops—set up as HDX Certified centers) with the goal of increasing install volume, which to the end customer means a more affordable upgrade. One way to do that is make install easier.