We're going to depart a little bit from some of our normal
formats in these avionics tips and chat about one of the companies
that is helping us bring some truly great coverage to the ANN
universe. Sarasota Avionics is the company that we chose to do our
massive Avidyne Release 9 Upgrade, and the same company that we
have been coming to for EXPERT assistance in putting together some
of our avionics coverage.
The folks are the best we've worked in many years and we're
pleased to have them on our side. So... without further
interruption, let's introduce you to Sarasota Avionics... a great
company that not only helps us keep you informed but puts up with
all our insanity in the process (no small order, that).
It was the recommendation of a trusted friend (Thanks, Tom) that
brought our attention to Sarasota Avionics and Kirk Fryar's
industrious gang of avionics nerds -- and it was easily one of the
best pieces of advice we got all year. Our massive R9 install was
the first that they would accomplish (and indeed, we were among the
first in the world to get the gear to do so), and we had the added
time pressure of wanting the job done in time for Oshkosh -- just a
few weeks off. We got R9 installed as well as a number of other
mods, including a PMA 8000B, Becker Remote transponder, an S-Tec
Roll Servo mod, and the full Avidyne goodies (the TWX-670 is a
particularly notable and welcome addition, BTW) to support the best
that R9 had to offer. The airplane was torn limb from limb... to
the point where early visits were painful to view... it was like
watching a surgeon start brain surgery on a loved one... and it
kinda was.
Kirk's gang (under the direction of GM, Bill Thompson) tore into
this project with more organization and professionalism than we
have previously seen on any such installation.. they built a HUGE
manual from scratch with all the drawings, specs, notes and info
acquired during the job, documented EVERYTHING, took great pains to
get it right -- and then the bird was delivered to us as Oshkosh
2009 started.
We were amazed to note that there were NO serious squawks and in
well over 100 hours since then, the only issues we've had to deal
with, by and large, are operator error (yup, guilty as charged).
Sarasota, and their partner Leading Edge Aviation (out of
Vandenberg Field, KVDF) did an amazing job in just about three
weeks.. and under the pressure of a truly formidable deadline. Even
with some new antennas and the necessary paint matching... there
was nary a scratch, blemish, mismatch or gizmo out of place.
I've never had as overtly a positive experience on a project this
massive/critical and to say the least, we can't recommend these
guys highly enough.
Sarasota Avionics International currently operates three
full-service avionics shops in Venice, Sarasota and Lantana,
Florida. They also have sales locations in Tampa (FL) and New
Cumberland (PA), with rumors of a brand new partnership in Brazil
coming soon... Sarasota's Venice, Florida FAA Certified Repair
Station (S0QR632X) is housed in a 10,000 sq. ft. hangar located at
the Venice Municipal Airport and serves as the company's
headquarters.
Their Sarasota, Florida, FAA Certified Repair Station (QV0R957X)
expanded its operations in 2005 to an 8,000 SF hangar located at
the Dolphin Aviation ramp of the Sarasota-Bradenton International
Airport. This location is fully-staffed and offers sales,
installation, bench repair, and even instrument overhauls in-house
through an association with Aerolab Aviation. Their Lantana,
Florida, FAA Certified Repair Station (1SER284B) is a
fully-certified avionics shop for customers on the East coast of
Florida, in association with Windward Aviation. Sarasota also
operates facilities in association with Leading Edge Aviation
Services, out of Vandenberg Airport (VDF) in Tampa, Florida; at the
Charlotte County Airport (PGD) in association with A1 Aero
Services; and at the Capital City Airport (CXY) in New Cumberland,
Pennsylvania, in association with Aircraft Management Services.
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