Avionics News January 2022 - 23

A before and after shot of Tim Pollard's Beech A36 Bonanza,
which was presented as a typical factory A36 upgraded
with GNS 530/430. TexasGYRO did a complete Garmin glass
conversion with G500 TXi, GTN 750Xi/650Xi, remote audio
and ADS-B transponders, G5 standby, and GFC 500 autopilot.
The panel was full custom and was finished with a Gizmo iPad
mount and Cygnet Aerospace custom leather-wrapped yokes.
low-time King Airs and Citations available, which were in
excellent shape, except for their legacy avionics.
" Our customers want the best, so it just made sense to go
ahead and invest in upgrading the panels to the latest glass
displays, " Pollard said. " Along with the new avionics, we also
upgraded the interior and painted the exteriors. The upgraded
aircraft were dubbed 'The Pollard Platinum Edition.'
" We were able to make a bit of a profit over the cost of all
the upgrades, but the important benefit was the aircraft sold
much faster than similar types that were still in stock. Half
the time, the airplane would sell before all the upgrades were
completed. That was great. "
Dimon explained that as the program grew into the mid2010s,
TexasGYRO grew into the region's leading installer for
Garmin G600 TXi touchscreen glass in King Airs.
" When the Garmin G600 came out, we were doing eight to
10 complete panels a year along with many more ADS-B and
other peripheral upgrades on Tim's aircraft, " he said. " We also
did panel upgrades on his personal airplanes. In fact, we just
finished upgrading his A36 Bonanza with Garmin G500 TXi,
a GTN navigator stack, a GFC 500 digital autopilot, and all the
remote peripherals we could fit in the panel.
" The Bonanza is a beauty. I don't think he wants to sell it,
but should he be tempted, it will sell fast. "
Dimon stressed that the benefits of the relationship with
Pollard Aircraft haven't ended with the aircraft's sale. On the
contrary. In fact, as the quality and value of Pollard Platinum
Edition's reputation grew, so did TexasGYRO's referral
business.
" Once the aircraft were out in the fleet, we got a lot of wordof-mouth
traction that converted into even more installations
and upgrades, " Dimon said. " Also, because aircraft brokers are
a unique group of professionals that are highly competitive, but
also highly interactional, they share information on inventories
to other brokers. We received a lot of referrals from brokers
and their customers located throughout all the central parts
of the country. "
The post-pandemic partnership
The pandemic's passing has turned the business and general
aviation aircraft world upside down. Airplanes are selling faster
and at higher prices than they have for a long time. While it's
great for Pollard Aircraft's sales, it has put a significant damper
on TexasGYRO's segment of the business.
" In a hot market like today, it's really just easier to sell the
aircraft as is, " Pollard said. " Owners don't want to wait for
upgrades to take delivery. But when I do have time, I'm even
more apt to spend money on upgrades now because I know I'll
get it back. Is that the new reality? I don't know. "
" We've changed a little bit in response to the activities of
today's seller's market, " Van Haitsma said. " We now offer an
incentivized quote that Tim can offer the buyer to entice them
to upgrade. They know now what that upgrade will cost when
they choose to do it. It's been very helpful in today's market.
" Also, at closing, if the new owner needs to arrange
financing for that upgrade, the quote gives them the mechanism
to do that. Aircraft are closing so fast, a program like this helps
the new owner get the aircraft they want now and lock in the
upgrade cost - if of course, they complete the work within a
reasonable time. "
Continued on following page
avionics news * january 2022 23
Avionics News January 2022

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