Hey folks!

I want to work on my IFR ticket in the near future; given my schedule I may end up going to GATS in Kansas for their 5 day intense course. Given that, I want to make sure my gyros are in excellent condition - all three seem to be working fine but it's been 7 years since they were installed or overhauled. Airplane is in a hangar but not heated, so I'm sure there's been some rough spin-ups on them.

Any recommendations for where to send them to be overhauled? Nu-Tek vs Mid Continent? Other places?

How often should gyros be pulled and serviced anyways? I'm more inclined to do this preventatively now given the inconvenience of losing a gyro in the middle of a 5 day IFR class. My vacuum is a wet vacuum and seems to be working great, but not sure how many hours are on it.

Thanks!

Also consider Kelley Instruments and Castleberry Instruments.

Matt, Kristen,

I've had good luck with both Kelly and Castleberry. They both do good work and are priced fairly, but not cheaply. I've never pulled a gyro proactively. I always wait until a gyro quits. Don't know as I would ever recommend x number of years for a pre-emptive overhaul. My opinion is that the shop will probably look at the gyro, say it works fine, maybe lube it and certify it and charge you for an overhaul. IMHO wait til a gyro gets sluggish. Don't pull it early.

Sincerely,
Skip Dykema

In preparation for your intensive IFR training you should update your airplane's IFR certification. Likely the training facility will require this record plus as Skip suggests any required IFR instrument (inc. A/S ind.) where you question accuracy.

I use Rudy Aircraft Instruments almost exclusively. They have been by far the cheapest I have found and do quality work.

If Rudy for some reason can't overhaul my particular unit, I usually use Century Aircraft Instruments as a second:

Best of luck!

I also use Rudy Aircraft Instruments. Always helpful and good, reliable work.

I would also question the need to pull a well functioning gyro unless you have one that you truly suspect is not working properly. And I also agree that your top priority is to be sure your aricraft is IFR certify in terms of the static system and transponder testing.

Just a word on the "intense" IFR course. I too took a similar 7 day "crash course," no pun intended, sorry couldn't resist. It started on a Thursday afternoon, I took the written at our local college. Drove 2 1/2 hours to the FBO for the training, checked into an effiencency and started the next morning. By Sunday/Monday I was so confused I didn't know what to think. My wife, during a phone call home, scolded me and insisted I hang in there. I did, and by Wed./Thurs. I was on top of it. Took my checkride a few days later and passed with, you got it, flying colors. By the way, I was the CFIIs first student, so she was extra tough on me.