Hello to all BT’ers.

My name is Tom Newell and my wife Linda and I own N131F, a 1963 BE55. We’ve owned the Baron since late 1995 and fly it mainly for pleasure and for getting back to Houston from our home in Buffalo, Wyoming to visit our kids and grandkids.

As the picture shows, “Lovely Linda” has an Aspen PFD/MFD duo set up driven by a 430W. And it now has two zero time, freshly overhauled engines. Experienced a catastrophic failure of the #2 cylinder on the left engine in February. Was gonna get just the one done, but my wife urged me to do both since the engines had the same amount of time on them. The second picture documents my successful return from my first Post Maintenance Check Flight.

I’m a retired Naval Aviator – 10 years on active duty and 10 years in the Reserves – having flown A4 Skyhawks, A7 Corsair II’s, and T39 Sabreliners.

I’m an avid follower of Beech Talk, particularly Plane Talk, Panel Talk, Engine Talk, and Beech Twins. A great forum for learning.

Welcome - love the panel in your 55

Beautiful plane Tom. Welcome to BT.

Tom,

Welcome...

What a neat looking plane. Reminds me of my old 64 Baron, but didn't have the goodies.

How long have you had your Aspen? Goods/Bads? and are you happy with that two unit configuration?

Welcome aboard, shipmate! Put your location in your profile so we know where to find you.

Hello Larry,

I installed the PFD 3 years ago and the MFD last year.

Installs went well - quickly and easily - and both units have performed as advertised. Also, it was plug and play. Complete compatibility with my 430 and my S-Tec. Kudos to Natrona Avionics in Casper, Wyoming for their work. Good group to work with.

The most general advantage I've noticed is how much easier my instrument scan has become. All the information is within the field of view without having to move my head around as much. More info within peripheral vision.

Next I'd say the clarity and precision of the aircraft symbol placement on the screen. The crisp presentation makes it easier to establish (or at lease in my case "attempt" to establish) the desired pitch positions for climb and descent as compared to a steam guage.

One aspect I noticed early on. One of the basics of instrument scan as I was taught and used for a bunch of years is that the VSI is a leading indicator of pitch change and consequently altitude change. With the rolling tapes on the Aspen, however, I've noticed that the altitude tape measured in 20 foot increments begins to move before the VSI tape begins to register. So now the leading indicator for attitude change is the altitude tape followed by a quick check to see if the VSI indication has activated.

Big plus is the REV option for switching to the MFD in the event of PFD failure. Have the larger back up battery in my MFD just in case.

For me, the incremental approach to installing the duo was another plus.

My next upgrade on order for October is to Synthetic Vision.

Nothing really bad to report so far. Had to do a bit of adjusting on the attitude setting initially to get it to coincide with the aircraft attitude in level flight. Easily done through the setup menus with some coaching from Natrona Avionics.

Cheers,

Tom

Tom,

Welcome to BT! Congratulations on the new engines.

Where do you guys fly into when you come to Houston? There are rumblings of a BT lunch somewhere in Texas in October.

Drew

Welcome to BT Tom!!!

Beautiful Plane ya got there!

Hello Drew,

I like the classic picture of the old Houston Hobby Terminal Building.

We fly into Houston Southwest most often 'cause our kids live in Missouri City.

Alas, we won't be traveling to Houston 'til some time in November so won't be able to join in a BT luncheon in October. But I'll keep watchin' BT just in case our plans change.

Cheers,

Tom

Tom,

The terminal is now the 1940 Air Terminal Museum. More info is here: http://www.1940AirTerminal.org.

If you have time when in Houston, let us know and we will put together a BT get together.

Drew

Thanks Drew...sounds good.

Will note next time we get down that way.

Cheers,

Tom

welcome Tom! Sweet ride!

Many thanks to all for the cordial welcome.

Have already found many helpful tips among the various threads.

Cheers,

Tom

Tom,
Welcome to BT. I love the Aspens. I had an Aspen in my 182 and really miss it. I look forward to a BT get together next time you are in Houston.