Page 28 - Volume 16 Number 5

reliability, weight, operating costs and safety, at relatively reason- able cost.At the same time some updated avionics will contribute to increasedvalue and marketability. Actually, in many instances, airplanes without integrated avionics have more flexibility to improve avionics capability, since their systemarchitecture is more adaptable to changes.In either the case of airframe/ system modifications or avionics modifications, it is always a good idea to take into account the time required for the modification and the cost of owning but not using the airplane.If aircraft systems and airframe equipment modifications are viewed from the standpoint of personal desire, then the biggest challenge is to remember that reasoning when it comes to paying the bill and the amount recovered at resale. For example, if a prop design is quieter but does not offer any performance or economic improvement, the cost of the modification may be solely for personal benefit or desire.The same would apply for highly- personal paint or interior designs, entertainment systems, unique avionics layout and the like. The26 • TWIN & TURBINEMAY 2012