Post by: Becky (My pronouns are Assigned/By/God) on April 25, 2022, 08:33:21 PM
Of course, they offer to install other cool panel things while they have it. For $$$$.
It’s a 1962 Skylark.
Those are all the details I have. I’m against it. Of course. :) For very good reasons. I don’t even loan my car to anyone. Ever. And I trust no one these days, especially big corporations.
Post by: Jim Logajan on April 25, 2022, 08:38:34 PM
Post by: Jim Logajan on April 25, 2022, 08:56:59 PM
Ask them the expected retail installation cost for their autopilot so you can better weigh whether it is worth it. If your husband wants to fly during that time, I assume he'd have to rent - assuming there are rentals available at his field.
Post by: Rush on April 26, 2022, 03:37:47 AM
Need to find out what unusual maneuvers they intend to put on the plane and what liability you may incur in the event of a crash. A plaintiff's lawyer is sure to include the owner of the plane as a defendant in any lawsuit. Garmin needs to contractually indemnify you should such events occur.
This. I’d talk to my lawyer to make sure you’re protected, if that’s even possible which I’m not sure it is. And how would you be compensated for your lost plane? Maybe have your lawyer write up the contract instead of signing Garmin’s? I bet they wouldn’t.
I’m with you, I’d be against it, yet feel guilty about peeing in my husband’s cornflakes if he really wanted to do it. In which case maybe I’d grit my teeth and white knuckle it through until you get the plane back.
On the other hand you take this kind of liability risk every time you (your husband) fly the plane yourself or even get in a car and there’s no such thing as avoiding all risk in life. So I also agree with Jim, maybe the free autopilot is worth the small risk and it probably is relatively small. More likely would be delays getting it back or somebody spills coffee on the upholstery or some other annoying thing. Why aren’t they testing it on a rental?
Post by: President-Elect Bob Noel on April 26, 2022, 05:39:33 AM
…for six months while they install and test their new autopilot in it. Test pilots and everything. Then he gets the plane back and gets to keep the autopilot. They estimate 40 hours will be put on the plane.
Of course, they offer to install other cool panel things while they have it. For $$$$.
It’s a 1962 Skylark.
Those are all the details I have. I’m against it. Of course. :) For very good reasons. I don’t even loan my car to anyone. Ever. And I trust no one these days, especially big corporations.
Do you remember Harrison Ford in "Clear and Present Danger"... specifically the scene where he wants to rent a Huey?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqtjbWJPIgQ
in other words, just have Garmin leave a deposit... say,well, um, yeah, two million american dollars would probably make you feel comfortable about Garmin borrowing the plane, yes?
Post by: Anthony on April 26, 2022, 05:42:36 AM
Post by: Jim Logajan on April 26, 2022, 09:03:13 AM
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/604257#additional (https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/604257#additional)
If it was my plane I too would consider allowing them an install so long as all bad thing contingencies were taken care of.
Post by: Lucifer on April 26, 2022, 09:14:22 AM
Post by: nddons on April 26, 2022, 12:24:15 PM
Make them sign a contract. They provide insurance and maintenance. The plane will be returned in the condition you gave it to them, with the installed autopilot and any other modifications they make.I’d probably add I’d want it back with a fresh annual, conducted by an independent and mutually agreed A&P/IA. You may not know if they had hard landings, abused the engine, etc.
Post by: Username on April 26, 2022, 03:33:50 PM
Pretty cool opportunity, but the big question is if you really want the avionics upgrade to drive the autopilot since you're paying for that part.
Post by: Becky (My pronouns are Assigned/By/God) on April 27, 2022, 06:24:26 AM
Post by: nddons on April 27, 2022, 06:41:42 AM
Thanks, everyone. Very interesting input. PilotSpin never disappoints. We should run the world.Becky for President of PilotSpin!!
Actually, while you may have thought the comments were insightful, in reality, us pilots are cheap as fuck, and if we can get something monetized in several AMUs for free, we would jump at it.
Post by: Becky (My pronouns are Assigned/By/God) on April 27, 2022, 06:44:03 AM
Becky for President of PilotSpin!!
Actually, while you may have thought the comments were insightful, in reality, us pilots are cheap as fuck, and if we can get something monetized in several AMUs for free, we would jump at it.
Hahaha! I get that. I can see the struggle. I shared the insights with my husband but I’m pretty sure I should now shut up. He will sort it out and make a decision.
Post by: Rush on April 27, 2022, 07:36:56 AM
Hahaha! I get that. I can see the struggle. I shared the insights with my husband but I’m pretty sure I should now shut up. He will sort it out and make a decision.
Hahaha! That sounds very much like how I handle my husband on similar matters. He might ask my opinion and I might do some research and gather info but there comes a point I need to back the hell off and let him sort it out.
Post by: Jim Logajan on June 13, 2022, 08:45:06 AM
…for six months while they install and test their new autopilot in it. Test pilots and everything. Then he gets the plane back and gets to keep the autopilot. They estimate 40 hours will be put on the plane.
Of course, they offer to install other cool panel things while they have it. For $$$$.
It’s a 1962 Skylark.
Those are all the details I have. I’m against it. Of course. :) For very good reasons. I don’t even loan my car to anyone. Ever. And I trust no one these days, especially big corporations.
So what did your husband decide to do??
Post by: Becky (My pronouns are Assigned/By/God) on June 13, 2022, 01:51:48 PM
I don’t think the hangar thing will be solved that easily. :(
Post by: Jim Logajan on June 13, 2022, 01:56:19 PM
Sorry, I should have followed up here. He contacted Garmin for more info and they told him they’d found someone with a Skylark that more closely suited their needs.
I don’t think the hangar thing will be solved that easily. :(
Thanks for the followup!