Professional Aircraft Avionics Troubleshooting & Diagnostics
When aircraft avionics start acting up, the most important first step is identifying what is actually causing the problem.
Apex Avionics Repair provides professional aircraft avionics troubleshooting and diagnostic support for general aviation aircraft, aircraft owners, pilots, A&P mechanics, flight schools, flying clubs, maintenance facilities, and aviation businesses.
We troubleshoot problems involving Garmin avionics, GPS/NAV/COM equipment, aircraft radios, transponders, audio panels, ADS-B systems, autopilot systems, displays, aircraft wiring, power problems, intermittent avionics faults, and aircraft electrical systems.
Located at Orlando-Apopka Airport in Apopka, Florida, Apex serves aircraft owners throughout Central Florida and also supports customers nationwide through our ship-in avionics repair program.
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Ship Us Your Avionics
Find the Problem Before Replacing Equipment
Not every avionics problem means the avionics unit itself has failed.
A problem that appears to be coming from a GPS, radio, display, transponder, audio panel, or other component may actually be caused by aircraft wiring, loose connectors, poor grounds, power supply issues, circuit breakers, antenna problems, coaxial cable, data wiring, audio wiring, configuration issues, intermittent electrical connections, or another connected avionics component.
Replacing expensive equipment before identifying the actual cause can lead to unnecessary cost and additional downtime.
The goal of avionics troubleshooting is to isolate the problem and determine the correct repair path.
Common Aircraft Avionics Problems We Troubleshoot
Apex can help evaluate a wide range of avionics symptoms.
Common problems include:
- Avionics will not power on
- Equipment shuts off unexpectedly
- Intermittent power
- Display goes dark
- Display becomes dim
- Screen flickers
- Buttons stop responding
- Knobs skip selections
- Radio transmits but does not receive
- Radio receives but does not transmit
- Static in the headset
- Distorted audio
- Intermittent communication
- GPS loses position
- Navigation indications are incorrect
- Transponder faults
- ADS-B discrepancies
- Autopilot disconnects
- Error messages
- Equipment works on the ground but fails in flight
- Equipment fails after warming up
- Intermittent faults that are difficult to reproduce
If your avionics problem is not listed here, contact us and describe what you are experiencing.
Tell Us What Your Avionics Are Doing
Intermittent Avionics Troubleshooting
Intermittent problems can be some of the most frustrating avionics issues to diagnose.
An intermittent fault may appear only during flight, after the equipment warms up, during vibration, at certain engine RPM, when transmitting, during high electrical load, in hot weather, after rain or moisture exposure, during startup, or after several hours of operation.
These symptoms can make diagnosis more difficult because the equipment may appear to work normally when inspected.
The more information you can provide about when the problem occurs, the better.
Helpful information includes when the problem first started, whether it happens on every flight, whether temperature affects the problem, whether vibration affects the problem, whether the engine is running, whether another system is being used at the same time, whether the issue happens during transmit or receive, and whether the fault clears after cycling power.
Garmin Avionics Troubleshooting
Garmin avionics are installed throughout the general aviation fleet.
Apex provides troubleshooting support for selected Garmin equipment including:
- Garmin GNS 430
- Garmin GNS 430W
- Garmin GNS 530
- Garmin GNS 530W
- Garmin GTN 650
- Garmin GTN 650Xi
- Garmin GTN 750
- Garmin GTN 750Xi
- Garmin G1000 components
- Garmin G5
- Garmin GI 275
- Garmin GTX transponders
- Garmin GMA audio panels
- Garmin GNX 375
- Garmin GPS 175
- Garmin GNC 355
Common Garmin-related symptoms may include display problems, power problems, navigation faults, communication issues, failed knobs, failed buttons, intermittent operation, startup problems, error messages, touchscreen issues, and interface problems.
Garmin Avionics Repair
GPS Troubleshooting
GPS-related problems may include loss of GPS position, intermittent GPS operation, failure to acquire satellites, navigation errors, startup faults, position errors, GPS-related warning messages, or interface problems with other equipment.
The problem may involve the GPS unit itself, antenna, coaxial cable, aircraft wiring, power, or another connected system.
GPS / NAV / COM Repair
Aircraft Radio Troubleshooting
Communication radio problems may include weak transmission, poor reception, intermittent communication, static, distorted audio, failure to transmit, failure to receive, frequency selection problems, failed buttons, failed knobs, or intermittent power.
Troubleshooting may involve the radio, audio panel, microphone, headset, antenna, coax, wiring, or aircraft electrical system.
Aircraft Radio Repair
NAV Troubleshooting
Navigation problems may include VOR problems, CDI indication problems, intermittent navigation information, incorrect course information, navigation receiver faults, interface issues, signal problems, or equipment error messages.
Proper diagnosis helps determine whether the issue is with the navigator, indicator, antenna system, aircraft wiring, or another connected component.
Transponder Troubleshooting
Transponder issues may involve failure to power on, intermittent operation, altitude reporting problems, ADS-B faults, display issues, control problems, encoding problems, or communication faults.
The transponder may not always be the source of the problem.
Aircraft wiring, antennas, GPS position sources, encoders, and configuration can all affect proper transponder operation.
Transponder Repair
Audio Panel Troubleshooting
Audio problems can be caused by several different components in the aircraft.
Apex troubleshoots symptoms including static, intermittent audio, failed intercom, one-way communication, poor microphone audio, poor headset audio, failed radio selection, failed speaker selection, distorted sound, and passenger audio problems.
Possible causes may include the audio panel, headset jack, microphone, speaker, wiring, grounding, radio, intercom, or electrical interference.
Audio Panel Repair
ADS-B Troubleshooting
ADS-B systems may involve the transponder, GPS position source, antennas, aircraft wiring, configuration, and display equipment.
An ADS-B fault may be caused by one component or by communication between multiple systems.
Apex can help troubleshoot supported ADS-B problems and determine the appropriate service path.
ADS-B Installation & Repair
Autopilot Troubleshooting
Autopilot systems can involve multiple components including control heads, servos, sensors, flight instruments, GPS interfaces, aircraft wiring, and electrical systems.
Common autopilot symptoms include:
- Autopilot will not engage
- Unexpected disconnects
- Heading problems
- Altitude hold problems
- Tracking problems
- Servo faults
- Control problems
- Intermittent operation
Autopilot Installation & Repair
Aircraft Electrical Troubleshooting
Many avionics problems are actually electrical problems.
Aircraft electrical faults can create symptoms such as intermittent avionics, voltage drops, repeated circuit breaker trips, equipment rebooting, dim displays, radio noise, static, failed equipment, or erratic indications.
Possible causes include poor grounds, loose wiring, corroded connections, damaged wires, failing switches, circuit breaker problems, alternator or charging system issues, voltage regulator problems, connector failures, or installation defects.
Aircraft Electrical Troubleshooting
Bench Troubleshooting
When an avionics unit has been removed from the aircraft, bench evaluation may help determine whether the problem is internal to the equipment.
Depending on the unit, bench troubleshooting may involve power testing, display evaluation, button testing, knob and encoder testing, communication testing, navigation testing, internal connection inspection, circuit board evaluation, and intermittent fault testing.
Bench testing is especially useful when trying to determine whether the avionics unit or aircraft installation is responsible for the problem.
Avionics Bench Repair
What Information Helps With Avionics Troubleshooting?
The more information you provide, the easier it is to understand the problem.
When submitting a repair request, include:
- Aircraft make
- Aircraft model
- Tail number
- Avionics manufacturer
- Avionics model
- Serial number if available
- Description of the problem
- When the problem occurs
- Any error messages
- Any recent maintenance
- Any recent avionics installation
- Any electrical work performed
- Any troubleshooting already completed
Photos and videos can also be extremely helpful for intermittent or display-related problems.
Do Not Replace Avionics Before You Know What Failed
Replacing avionics can be expensive.
Before replacing a navigator, radio, transponder, display, audio panel, or other component, it is often worth determining whether the problem is inside the unit, in the aircraft wiring, in the antenna system, in another connected avionics component, in the electrical system, or in the equipment configuration.
A proper diagnosis can prevent unnecessary replacement and help reduce aircraft downtime.
Avionics Troubleshooting for Individual Aircraft Owners
Individual aircraft owners are welcome to contact Apex Avionics Repair directly.
You do not need to be an avionics shop or maintenance facility.
If your avionics are malfunctioning, simply tell us what equipment you have, what aircraft it is installed in, what the equipment is doing, when the problem happens, and whether the equipment has already been removed.
We can help determine the appropriate next step.
Request Avionics Troubleshooting
Avionics Troubleshooting for A&P Mechanics and IAs
Apex works with A&P mechanics and IAs who identify avionics problems during annual inspections, 100-hour inspections, aircraft maintenance, troubleshooting, pre-purchase inspections, equipment replacement, and return-to-service work.
We can assist with troubleshooting and supported bench evaluation of removed avionics equipment.
Avionics Troubleshooting for Flight Schools
Flight schools depend on reliable avionics and aircraft availability.
Intermittent avionics problems can cause cancelled lessons, grounded aircraft, IFR training disruptions, scheduling problems, and lost revenue.
Apex works with flight schools that need help diagnosing avionics problems and reducing unnecessary downtime.
Avionics Troubleshooting for Flying Clubs
Flying club aircraft often accumulate significant use among multiple pilots.
Intermittent problems may also be reported differently by different pilots.
Apex can help clubs evaluate radios, GPS equipment, transponders, audio systems, electrical issues, autopilot problems, and intermittent avionics faults.
Local Avionics Troubleshooting in Apopka & Orlando
Apex Avionics Repair is located at Orlando-Apopka Airport in Apopka, Florida.
Apex Avionics Repair
1321 Apopka Airport Rd, Hangar 56
Apopka, FL 32712
Phone: (407) 900-1107
We serve aircraft owners throughout Apopka, Orlando, Sanford, Mount Dora, Leesburg, Winter Garden, Clermont, Kissimmee, DeLand, Daytona Beach, Ocala, The Villages, and Greater Central Florida.
Apopka Avionics Repair
Orlando Avionics Repair
Nationwide Ship-In Avionics Troubleshooting
Customers throughout the United States can ship eligible avionics equipment to Apex for evaluation and repair.
Our nationwide ship-in program is available to aircraft owners, A&P mechanics, maintenance facilities, flight schools, flying clubs, aircraft dealers, and aviation businesses.
Ship Us Your Avionics
How Our Avionics Troubleshooting Process Works
1. Submit the Problem
Tell us what equipment you have and describe the symptoms.
2. Review the Symptoms
We review when and how the problem occurs.
3. Determine the Troubleshooting Path
The next step may involve aircraft-level troubleshooting, equipment removal, or bench evaluation.
4. Isolate the Fault
The goal is to determine whether the problem is in the avionics unit, aircraft installation, wiring, power system, antenna, or another component.
5. Recommend the Next Step
Once the likely cause is identified, we can determine whether repair, additional troubleshooting, installation work, or equipment replacement is appropriate.
6. Complete Supported Repairs
If repair is appropriate and within our capabilities, the equipment can move through the repair process.
Start Troubleshooting
Frequently Asked Questions
What is aircraft avionics troubleshooting?
Aircraft avionics troubleshooting is the process of identifying the cause of a problem affecting aircraft electronic equipment or the systems connected to it.
What types of avionics problems can you troubleshoot?
Apex accepts inquiries involving GPS, NAV, COM, transponders, audio panels, ADS-B, autopilots, displays, aircraft wiring, electrical systems, and selected Garmin avionics.
Can you troubleshoot intermittent avionics problems?
Yes. Intermittent problems are common in aircraft avionics. Information about when and how the problem occurs can be extremely helpful during diagnosis.
Do you troubleshoot Garmin avionics?
Yes. Garmin equipment is a major focus of Apex Avionics Repair, including selected GNS, GTN, G1000, and other Garmin avionics.
Can aircraft wiring cause an avionics problem?
Yes. Wiring, grounding, connectors, antennas, coaxial cable, electrical power, and installation issues can all produce symptoms that appear to be equipment failures.
Can I ship avionics to Apex for troubleshooting?
Yes. Eligible avionics equipment can be shipped to Apex from customers throughout the United States.
Can individual aircraft owners contact you directly?
Yes. Individual aircraft owners are welcome to work directly with Apex Avionics Repair.
What if I do not know what is causing the problem?
That is exactly what troubleshooting is for. Describe the symptoms and let us know when the problem occurs.
Should I replace my avionics before troubleshooting them?
Usually it is better to understand what failed before committing to an expensive replacement, particularly when aircraft wiring or another connected component may be responsible.
Find the Problem. Fix the Right Thing.
Avionics problems can be frustrating, especially when they are intermittent.
Apex Avionics Repair helps aircraft owners, pilots, mechanics, flight schools, and aviation businesses identify the source of avionics problems and determine the appropriate repair path.
Apex Avionics Repair
Orlando-Apopka Airport
1321 Apopka Airport Rd, Hangar 56
Apopka, FL 32712
Phone: (407) 900-1107
Local Central Florida Service • Nationwide Ship-In Support
Request Avionics Troubleshooting
Ship Us Your Avionics