Your panel. Reimagined. Financed through your aircraft's equity.
A Garmin G3X Touch full panel retrofit. A GFC 500 autopilot. A G1000 NXi upgrade on your King Air. FLYING Finance structures avionics financing by leveraging the equity in your aircraft — so you fly the upgrade now and pay for it as the hours add up.
Now Available · EAB & LSA · Airhart Aeronautics · Long Beach, CA · AirVenture 2026 Booth 439
The cockpit has changed. Aviation's interface never truly evolved. Until now.
Airhart Aeronautics — founded by a former SpaceX engineer, backed by United Airlines Ventures — is building the first avionics system designed to think like a pilot. Context-aware displays that know your phase of flight, AI radio transcription with single-interaction acknowledgment, automated checklists, and Starlink over-the-air updates. The largest displays in general aviation at 14.1 inches. At AirVenture 2026, Booth 439, Airhart will show a production-equipped customer aircraft — Linda Sollars' Sling, owned by a former JetBlue Airbus captain with 30,000+ hours. This is not a prototype behind glass.
Airhart Avionics is available now for experimental amateur-built (EAB) and LSA aircraft, with MOSAIC-aligned airframes as the primary market. Part 23 STC for certified aircraft is in development. FLYING Finance finances Airhart installations on qualifying EAB and LSA aircraft today. Reserve your installation slot and pricing details: airhartaero.com. A sponsored article on Airhart is coming to this page.
The established leader · Garmin G3X Touch
The world's data. In your hand. On your panel.
The Garmin G3X Touch started in the experimental world and earned STC approval for more than 500 certified aircraft. It brings the full Garmin data ecosystem — synthetic vision, ForeFlight wireless sync, SafeTaxi, ADS-B In/Out, georeferenced approach plates, engine monitoring — to any certified piston that qualifies. The button-and-knob approach that Garmin pilots already know, on a large-format touchscreen that makes the G1000 feel like its predecessor. Pair it with the GFC 500 autopilot — envelope protection, level mode, coupled LPV approaches — and the panel flies better than it did from the factory.
Garmin Aviation · G3X Touch For Certified Aircraft
At $49,900 fully equipped, Airhart is a meaningful transaction — comparable to a full Garmin panel build. Financing is structured through aircraft equity: if you own a qualifying experimental or LSA aircraft with sufficient equity, FLYING Finance can advance against that equity to fund the installation. Cash remains an option for aircraft without sufficient equity position.
✅ Active financing on qualifying EAB and LSA aircraft with sufficient equity. Airhart is available and installing now on EAB and LSA airframes. Part 23 certified aircraft: available when STC expands. Reserve your slot at airhartaero.com — contact FLYING Finance before install to have financing ready.
02Garmin G3X Touch Tier 1500+ STCs · full glass · EAB and certified$7,995–$55K installed▾
Specifications
Display hardware from$7,995 (single 7")
10.6" display$9,995
Full system installed$35,000–$55,000+
STCs500+ certified aircraft
Autopilot (add-on)GFC 500 from $6,995
WirelessForeFlight, Garmin Pilot
Financing context
A full G3X system at $35K–$55K installed is financed through aircraft equity — your aircraft must have sufficient lendable equity above any existing loan balance for FLYING Finance to advance against it. The upgrade does not increase aircraft value dollar-for-dollar; plan for a net equity contribution. Most Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft, and Mooney owners with unencumbered or low-balance aircraft have adequate equity to support the transaction.
✅ Active financing on qualifying certified and EAB aircraft with sufficient equity. Most unencumbered certified pistons qualify easily at $35K–$55K upgrade cost.
At $15K–$25K installed, the GFC 500 is the most common avionics equity transaction. Aircraft must have sufficient unencumbered equity. At these amounts, almost any unencumbered certified piston or EAB with meaningful value qualifies. The GFC 600 for high-performance pistons and turbines runs $25K–$40K installed — larger equity draw but well within reach for most Bonanza, Baron, TBM, and King Air owners.
✅ Most active financing category. GFC 500 and GFC 600 equity advances on qualifying aircraft — contact FLYING Finance before you call the avionics shop.
The G1000 NXi at $29K hardware plus $8K–$15K installation is a real equity transaction — particularly on King Airs and TBMs where the upgrade improves operational capability and supports charter or lease use. Note that avionics upgrades do not increase aircraft value dollar-for-dollar; the equity advance is based on current aircraft value, not upgraded value. The upgrade must make sense on its own merits.
✅ Active financing on King Air, TBM, and piston Beechcraft/Cessna with sufficient equity. The larger the aircraft value, the more straightforward the equity position.
05Dynon SkyView HDX Certified Tier 2800 models · packages from $12K · the value alternative$12,000–$25K installed▾
Specifications
Packages fromUnder $12,000
Installed typical$18,000–$25,000
STCs800 single and twin models
IFR capableYes (with IFR navigator)
GroupDynon Group + Trig Avionics (May 2025)
Financing context
Dynon disrupted the market by bringing experimental pricing to certified aircraft — packages starting under $12K cover more aircraft models than any other platform. For owners who want full glass without full Garmin pricing, Dynon Certified is the strongest alternative. At $18K–$25K installed, the equity requirement is modest and achievable for most unencumbered certified pistons.
✅ Active financing on qualifying certified and EAB aircraft. Lower equity requirement than a full Garmin G3X build — accessible for lower-value aircraft that still have meaningful equity.
The Vantage upgrade for aging Cirrus Entegra displays starts at $12,500 — a genuine equity transaction for most Cirrus owners, whose aircraft values have held well. The IFD 550/540 touchscreen navigators are financed alongside other panel work. Cross-reference: the Cirrus brand page covers Perspective+ panel financing for current-generation aircraft.
✅ Active financing. Cirrus owners with meaningful equity can support Vantage and IFD transactions at certified piston rates. /cirrus-financing/ →
FLYING Finance does not offer standalone avionics loans. Avionics upgrades are financed through your aircraft's equity — either by drawing on equity in an unencumbered aircraft, or by refinancing an existing aircraft loan and drawing additional cash from the difference between the outstanding balance and the aircraft's lendable value. The aircraft is the collateral in both cases.
Important: avionics upgrades do not increase aircraft value dollar-for-dollar. A $40,000 G3X installation may add $15,000–$25,000 in appraised value depending on the aircraft type and market. Your equity position is evaluated on the aircraft's current value — not the anticipated upgraded value.
Path 01
Equity Advance on an Unencumbered Aircraft
Aircraft owned free and clear · any upgrade amount within lendable equity
You own your aircraft outright. FLYING Finance advances against the lendable equity — typically 80–85% of appraised value — and you use the proceeds to pay the avionics shop directly. The advance becomes a first-lien loan on the aircraft, secured by the aircraft as collateral. The upgrade goes in. You pay down the loan over the agreed term.
Example: $150K aircraft · 80% LTV = $120K lendable · advance $40K for G3X build
Rate: 6.46% certified piston starting rate · Term: up to 15 years
You have an existing aircraft loan. FLYING Finance refinances that loan at a new rate, and if the aircraft's lendable value exceeds the outstanding balance, we advance the difference as additional cash at closing — applied to the avionics upgrade. This is not a blended rate transaction: it is a new fixed-rate loan at current market rates on the full refinanced balance. The math works when the new rate is at or near your current rate, or when the upgrade provides enough operational or resale value to justify the additional balance.
Example: $200K aircraft · existing loan $80K · lendable value $160K · cash-out $80K for full panel
Result: single new loan at current rate · one payment · one lender
See: Refinancing & Avionics Upgrades guide →
💡
Tax strategy · December 31 deadline
100% Bonus Depreciation on Business-Use Avionics
Avionics upgrades on aircraft used in a qualifying business context are eligible for 100% bonus depreciation under the OBBBA — provided the upgrade is placed in service by December 31. A $49,900 Airhart suite or $45,000 G3X build in a 37% bracket = $18,463 in year-one deductions. Finance the upgrade, take the deduction, the net cost drops materially. Structure and timing with your CPA. Full bonus depreciation guide →
Payment examples · June 2026 rates
What an avionics upgrade costs to finance.
Illustrative equity advances. Aircraft must have sufficient lendable equity above any existing loan balance. 6.46% certified piston starting rate, approved credit. Actuals depend on aircraft value, equity position, and upgrade scope.
Illustrative equity advances. Aircraft must have sufficient lendable equity. 6.46% certified piston starting rate, 700+ FICO, approved credit. Payment calculated on stated rate and term. Avionics upgrades do not increase aircraft value dollar-for-dollar — equity position based on current appraised value. Use the calculator →
Timing — financing and installation
Get pre-approved before you call the avionics shop.
Equity advances are disbursed at closing — before installation begins, so you can pay the shop directly. Get pre-approved now so you're ready when your shop slot opens. Garmin Authorized Dealers and Dynon Installation Centers are familiar with the FLYING Finance process. Airhart installs at their Long Beach facility.
2026 Avionics market · who's building what
Know the players.
Tier 1 · Dominant
Garmin
The market. G3X Touch, GFC 500/600, G1000 NXi, GTN 650/750Xi. 500+ certified STCs. The financing conversation usually starts and ends here.
Tier 2 · Value disruptor
Dynon
SkyView HDX Certified: 800+ aircraft models, packages from $12K. Now includes Trig Avionics (transponders, comms) after May 2025 strategic investment.
Tier 2 · Cirrus niche
Avidyne
IFD 550/540 navigators + Vantage for legacy Cirrus Entegra owners. The right answer for 2003–2012 Cirrus owners with aging displays.
Tier 3 · Autopilot alt
Genesys / S-TEC
S-TEC 3100 is the Garmin GFC alternative for aircraft without a GFC 500 STC. Relevant where Garmin hasn't certificated yet.
Tier 3 · Legacy
BendixKing
Once dominant, now a distant third. Primary territory: legacy aircraft where original BendixKing systems need service or replacement.
Available · EAB & LSA
Airhart
Context-aware dual 14.1" displays, $49,900 fully equipped. Available now on EAB and LSA airframes. Part 23 STC in development. United Airlines Ventures-backed. AirVenture 2026 Booth 439.
Interactive · FLYING Finance
Fly the panel before you finance it.
The FLYING Finance Avionics Tutorial lets you interact with the G1000, G3X Touch, and Airhart interfaces — tune COM frequencies, set heading bugs, engage autopilot modes, enter squawk codes. Built for pilots and non-pilots alike. Mobile-friendly.
How does avionics financing actually work if there are no standalone avionics loans?
Your aircraft is the collateral. If you own it free and clear, FLYING Finance advances cash against the aircraft's lendable equity — you receive the funds at closing and pay the avionics shop directly. If you have an existing aircraft loan, we refinance it at a new rate and advance additional cash from the equity above the outstanding balance. In both cases, the advance is a fixed-rate aircraft loan, not an unsecured personal loan or equipment loan.
What equity do I need to finance a $40,000 G3X panel build?
At 80% LTV, your aircraft needs to appraise at roughly $50,000 or more to support a $40,000 advance with no existing loan. If you have an existing loan balance, the math is: (aircraft value × LTV%) minus outstanding balance = available equity. A $120,000 aircraft with an $80,000 loan balance has approximately $16,000 in available equity at 80% LTV — enough for a GFC 500 autopilot but not a full G3X build. We can run the numbers on your specific aircraft before you apply.
Does a panel upgrade increase my aircraft's value?
Not dollar-for-dollar. A well-executed Garmin G3X installation on a 1978 Cessna 182 adds real resale value — the market recognizes modern glass — but typically at 40–70 cents on the dollar of upgrade cost, depending on the aircraft type and the depth of the pre-existing market. The exception is the G1000 NXi upgrade on aircraft like the King Air or TBM, where the upgrade has a more direct and measurable impact on market value and charter potential. Build the case for the upgrade on its operational and safety merits; financing should follow from the equity that exists today.
Can I finance an Airhart installation on my EAB or LSA aircraft?
Yes, for EAB and LSA aircraft. Airhart installs from their Long Beach facility and is available now on experimental and LSA airframes. FLYING Finance finances qualifying Airhart installations on EAB and LSA aircraft with sufficient equity — contact us before your installation slot to have financing structured in advance. For Part 23 certified aircraft, Airhart's STC is in development and we'll be ready when it expands.
Is the Garmin G3X Touch available for my aircraft?
Garmin maintains a current AML for the G3X Touch covering 500+ single-engine piston aircraft. Most Cessna 172/182/206/210, Piper PA-28/PA-32, Beechcraft Bonanza and Baron, Mooney M20 series, and many others are covered. Check garmin.com/aviation or ask your authorized Garmin dealer. If your aircraft isn't on the G3X AML, the G500 TXi or Dynon SkyView HDX Certified likely covers it — Dynon's AML now exceeds 800 models.
Amelia · FLYING Finance AI specialist
Amelia
FLYING Finance AI Specialist
Avionics & Aircraft Financing
"Avionics financing is one of the most underused tools in aviation. I know how equity advances work, when cash-out refinancing makes sense, how bonus depreciation changes the math, and what equity position your aircraft needs for each upgrade. Ask me anything."
A
Ask me anything about avionics financing — equity advances, cash-out refinancing, bonus depreciation, or what equity your specific aircraft needs to support an upgrade.
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Research worth reading
Before you upgrade. Before you apply.
FLYING Finance is part of Firecrown Media — publisher of FLYING Magazine, KITPLANES, AVweb, and Plane & Pilot. Editorial resources are independent of any lender or manufacturer.
