Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
After months of saving, planning, and then waiting, my aircraft’s avionics upgrade is ready and I couldn’t be more pleased. In this episode, I take my PA28 Piper Arrow on a test flight to see how the new systems perform in real conditions.
The upgrade includes dual Garmin G5s, a GTN 650Xi GPS/NAV/COM, and a GTX330 ES upgrade for ADSB. While there's still more to come in future phases—like a new autopilot—this first step already marks a huge leap forward in utility.
In this video:
I walk you through flight plan entry on the GTN 650Xi and compare it to the old GNS 430 system.
I explore the touch-screen interface and some of the clever features like “fast find.”
I share honest first impressions, including frustrations with switching CDI modes and using touchscreen in turbulence.
You’ll see how the G5’s magenta track pointer helps with flying more accurately, even when hand flying.
I reflect on some of the initial challenges, including distractions and increase in workload during the transition and how to mitigate the infringement risk.
I make inspirational videos about my flying adventures around the UK and Europe. I have a dream too, to one day fly my PA28 across the atlantic to the USA. Subscribe to my channel for more inspirational flying vlogs and honest post-flight debrief videos.
About me: jonhunt.net
Bonus content on Patreon: patreon.com/join/theflyingreporter
Facebook: facebook.com/theflyingreporter
Instagram: instagram.com/flyingreporteruk
My channel advertisers and sponsors
I'm most grateful for the guidance and support of Aero Anglia - A light aircraft maintenance organisation at Elmsett in Suffolk. The nicest and thorough aircraft engineers I've come across.
aeroanglia.com
I've recently partnered with Aerobytes to promote their services to commercial aviation. Aerobytes is fanatical about flight safety - a passion close to my heart. Aerobytes provide Flight Data Monitoring services to the airlines.
aerobytes.co.uk
AOPA has supported me for many, many months now. They work so hard to promote our interests as private pilots and I'm happy to endorse AOPA UK's mission to secure our freedom to fly. Get a 25% discount on your AOPA UK membership.
aopa.co.uk/flying-reporter-discount-membership-offer
For all my licence revalidations, tests, and flight training I turn to the team at Anglian Flight Centres. It's a friendly flight training organisation (ATO) based at Earls Colne in Essex. With its hard and grass runways and open airspace, it's a great place to learn to fly.
anglianflightcentres.co.uk
Before CloudbaseGA, my aircraft log books were a work of fiction. Now that I have one of their automatic flight loggers fitted, all my trips are recorded automatically and updated to a cloud server. It's a great solution for flying schools, clubs or aircraft shares.
https://www.cloudbasega.aero/
If you should ever need your engine overhauled, require a shock load inspection, or general advice about the operation of your engine, contact Norvic Aero Engines. I only partner with companies who treat their customers fairly and offer good service. I am thrilled to be working with Norvic and I am delighted to be able to endorse their services.
norvic.com
Before I had my propeller dynamically balanced by Proptech, I used to experience quite a lot of vibration in the cruise. Proptech came to my airfield with their equipment and after a short time they'd tuned-up my prop so that the cruise is silky smooth (turbulence permitting!)
https://proptech.aero/
I keep my aeroplane clean and dry in-between flights by using a custom-made cover from Vertigo Covers. The Hampshire-based company prides itself on excellent customer service, an attention to detail, modern designs and materials and covers that are lightweight and affordable.
vertigocovers.co.uk
#generalaviation #garmin #avionics #flying #privatepilot #pilot #atc #airtrafficcontrol #aviation #pa28 #flight #debrief #travel
00:00 Introduction
00:24 Flight plan programming
02:32 Engine Start
02:50 Take off from Redhill EGKR
04:26 Touchscreen use in flight
05:21 Getting used to the digital instruments
06:09 New avionics are distracting
07:47 The G5 track pointer
08:49 HSI/CDI switching on the GTN 650xi
10:52 Direct-to
12:17 My conclusions
12:42 Landing at Shoreham
After months of saving, planning, and then waiting, my aircraft’s avionics upgrade is ready and I couldn’t be more pleased. In this episode, I take my PA28 Piper Arrow on a test flight to see how the new systems perform in real conditions.
The upgrade includes dual Garmin G5s, a GTN 650Xi GPS/NAV/COM, and a GTX330 ES upgrade for ADSB. While there's still more to come in future phases—like a new autopilot—this first step already marks a huge leap forward in utility.
In this video:
I walk you through flight plan entry on the GTN 650Xi and compare it to the old GNS 430 system.
I explore the touch-screen interface and some of the clever features like “fast find.”
I share honest first impressions, including frustrations with switching CDI modes and using touchscreen in turbulence.
You’ll see how the G5’s magenta track pointer helps with flying more accurately, even when hand flying.
I reflect on some of the initial challenges, including distractions and increase in workload during the transition and how to mitigate the infringement risk.
I make inspirational videos about my flying adventures around the UK and Europe. I have a dream too, to one day fly my PA28 across the atlantic to the USA. Subscribe to my channel for more inspirational flying vlogs and honest post-flight debrief videos.
About me: jonhunt.net
Bonus content on Patreon: patreon.com/join/theflyingreporter
Facebook: facebook.com/theflyingreporter
Instagram: instagram.com/flyingreporteruk
My channel advertisers and sponsors
I'm most grateful for the guidance and support of Aero Anglia - A light aircraft maintenance organisation at Elmsett in Suffolk. The nicest and thorough aircraft engineers I've come across.
aeroanglia.com
I've recently partnered with Aerobytes to promote their services to commercial aviation. Aerobytes is fanatical about flight safety - a passion close to my heart. Aerobytes provide Flight Data Monitoring services to the airlines.
aerobytes.co.uk
AOPA has supported me for many, many months now. They work so hard to promote our interests as private pilots and I'm happy to endorse AOPA UK's mission to secure our freedom to fly. Get a 25% discount on your AOPA UK membership.
aopa.co.uk/flying-reporter-discount-membership-offer
For all my licence revalidations, tests, and flight training I turn to the team at Anglian Flight Centres. It's a friendly flight training organisation (ATO) based at Earls Colne in Essex. With its hard and grass runways and open airspace, it's a great place to learn to fly.
anglianflightcentres.co.uk
Before CloudbaseGA, my aircraft log books were a work of fiction. Now that I have one of their automatic flight loggers fitted, all my trips are recorded automatically and updated to a cloud server. It's a great solution for flying schools, clubs or aircraft shares.
https://www.cloudbasega.aero/
If you should ever need your engine overhauled, require a shock load inspection, or general advice about the operation of your engine, contact Norvic Aero Engines. I only partner with companies who treat their customers fairly and offer good service. I am thrilled to be working with Norvic and I am delighted to be able to endorse their services.
norvic.com
Before I had my propeller dynamically balanced by Proptech, I used to experience quite a lot of vibration in the cruise. Proptech came to my airfield with their equipment and after a short time they'd tuned-up my prop so that the cruise is silky smooth (turbulence permitting!)
https://proptech.aero/
I keep my aeroplane clean and dry in-between flights by using a custom-made cover from Vertigo Covers. The Hampshire-based company prides itself on excellent customer service, an attention to detail, modern designs and materials and covers that are lightweight and affordable.
vertigocovers.co.uk
#generalaviation #garmin #avionics #flying #privatepilot #pilot #atc #airtrafficcontrol #aviation #pa28 #flight #debrief #travel
00:00 Introduction
00:24 Flight plan programming
02:32 Engine Start
02:50 Take off from Redhill EGKR
04:26 Touchscreen use in flight
05:21 Getting used to the digital instruments
06:09 New avionics are distracting
07:47 The G5 track pointer
08:49 HSI/CDI switching on the GTN 650xi
10:52 Direct-to
12:17 My conclusions
12:42 Landing at Shoreham
