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Does anyone have an idea how much it would cost to certify and aircraft IFR that is currently VFR? I'm mainly referring to the pitot static system (i.e. assume the aircraft has the req'd avionics for IFR). I've been told by an A&P only $175 assuming the system has no leaks. That sound about right? Can an avionics shop perform the check when I bring the aircraft to them to have the IFR GPS tested and signed off for IFR use? If the radios have not been used IFR before, do they need a sign off as well or will a simple VOR check be sufficient?

Thanks!

That sounds about right. The check takes and hour or so.

The going rate is 250 here in the DFW area. Cheaper than that? Go for it. As for the avionics, all that's legally required is to have radio equipment sufficient for the facilities being used. A vor check is all that's needed to be legal if you have all the required avionics.

The biggest hit on a vfr plane is the altimeter. You'll need one graduated in 20 foot increments and paperwork that shows that it's tso'd.

If your avionics guys aren't that particular, you may get away with whatever's already in the plane provided it passes the pitot static check. BTW, the altimeter, transponder and encoders are usually pulled out and bench checked together to get your altimeter correction card and to make sure the encoder is properly adjusted. That's for an IFR cert. For the VFR transponder check, they just pump up the aircraft system and validate the mode c readout.

I've recently had two done. The first one was on my 150 and cost $800. They found a leak and the transponder needed to be recalibrated. All that took about a week to accomplish but I'm happy with the result.

The second one was on my Mooney. It only took about two hours and the inspector certified the GPS on site. No errors or abnormalities were found so it only cost me $200 even.

Hope that helps.

Helps?! It scares me! Hope mine doesn't cost $800! Maybe I'll include that in the pre-buy in case there's any leaks!

I don't think it was the leaks, they are easily cured, I suspect most of the $800 came from the transponder problem, which is in no way related to the IFR certification, it just so happens that every 24 mos you have to have the transponder checked also.

Charles

Sadly the transponder was only about $250 of the bill. The majority of the charges were for labor and assembly putting the panel back together.

Try and see if you can work it in as part of the purchase deal, the worst the owner can say is no and if he doesn I have a cherry 150 for sale with a fresh IFR cert.

My IFR certification ran $150. I had to replace a cracked condesation bulb, but it wasn't all that bad. Total cost = $258.33 in May.

Mine was $200.