Becoming an Educated Aircraft Owner, with Larry Anglisano

By John Zimmerman
Apr 22, 2025
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Pilot's Discretion Podcast, episode 102

Aircraft owners have more choices for avionics upgrades than ever before, but a fun project can quickly become a nightmare if you don’t do your homework. Larry Anglisano, a pilot, avionics technician, and editor at Aviation Consumer magazine, offers practical advice for avoiding disappointment, from glass cockpits to autopilots. He also shares why Rotax may be the answer for new engine technology and what the state of the aviation insurance market is right now. In the Ready to Copy segment, Larry talks about the risk of post-maintenance test flights, the future of unleaded avgas, and riding motorcycles.

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Quotes:

What to consider when making an avionics upgrade: “You should be thinking of the future… where do you see yourself flying the airplane a few years from now?”
Why autopilot installations can get complicated: “Not only are you dealing with the electronics in the radio stack and the electrical side of it, you’re dealing with the hardware behind the scenes: servos.”
How to approach a new project: “My advice has always been to start in the radio stack first, and start with the fundamentals.”
The state of piston engine technology: “I hope we’re not stuck in Lycoming-Continental world, because there’s some real dissatisfaction in that part of the market.”
Why owners need to be engaged: “You really need to be an educated owner… you need to establish a relationship with a shop you trust, both avionics and maintenance.”
Buying an airplane the right way: “No matter how many times we tell people to get good pre-buy inspections… people are still buying airplanes that they are paying too much for and buying airplanes that in many cases aren’t even airworthy.”
The difficult insurance market: “It’s forcing some folks who can keep flying out of aviation… in some cases, it’s causing people to self-insure and that’s something we definitely don’t recommend.”
Why pilots shouldn’t change insurance companies every year: “We’ve talked to insurance executives and there seems to be an agreement that loyalty counts.”
Should you get rid of a Garmin 430? “No. If it still works, I say keep using it until the display quits.”
The state of unleaded avgas: “It’s a total train wreck.”
How flying informs motorcycle riding: “I put my flying brain on when I climb on the motorcycle.”