Ship Aircraft Avionics for Repair | Mail-In Avionics Repair

Nationwide Mail-In Aircraft Avionics Repair

Need an avionics unit repaired?

Ship your aircraft avionics directly to Apex Avionics Repair for evaluation, troubleshooting and repair.

We welcome individual aircraft owners to work with us directly. You do not need to be an avionics shop, maintenance facility or commercial operator to send us eligible equipment for evaluation.

We work directly with:

Individual aircraft owners
Pilots
A&P mechanics
IAs
Avionics shops
Aircraft maintenance facilities
Flight schools
Flying clubs
Aircraft dealers
Fleet operators
Aviation businesses

Whether you own a single aircraft or manage an entire fleet, our goal is to make the mail-in repair process straightforward and easy to understand.

If you are an aircraft owner and your Garmin GPS/NAV/COM, display, transponder, audio panel or other avionics unit is having a problem, you can contact Apex directly and begin the repair process with us.

Ready to send your avionics?

REQUEST REPAIR

START A MAIL-IN REPAIR

Individual Aircraft Owners Are Welcome

You do not need to send your avionics through a dealer or maintenance shop in order to contact Apex Avionics Repair.

Individual aircraft owners are welcome to work with us directly.

If your avionics unit has been removed from the aircraft and you need help diagnosing or repairing the equipment, submit a repair request with the model, serial number and a detailed description of the problem.

We can work directly with you throughout the repair process.

Not Sure What Is Wrong?

That is okay.

Tell us what the unit is doing.

Examples include:

Screen is dim
Screen goes blank
Unit will not power on
Unit randomly reboots
Buttons do not respond
Knobs skip or jump
COM radio is weak
GPS signal drops out
NAV functions are intermittent
Error message appears
Unit works when cold but fails after warming up

You do not need to diagnose the internal failure before contacting us.

REQUEST AVIONICS REPAIR

How to Ship Your Avionics to Apex

Step 1 — Submit a Repair Request

Before shipping your avionics, complete our repair request form.

Please provide as much information as possible about the equipment and the problem you are experiencing.

Include:

Manufacturer
Model number
Part number, if available
Serial number
Aircraft make and model
Detailed description of the problem
Error messages
Whether the problem is intermittent
Troubleshooting already performed
Your contact information

Photos or videos can be extremely helpful for display failures, intermittent problems, error messages and physical damage.

SUBMIT REPAIR REQUEST

Step 2 — Remove the Avionics Unit From the Aircraft

Avionics should be removed from the aircraft by an appropriately qualified person when required.

Before removal, document the issue as clearly as possible.

For intermittent problems, note:

When the problem occurs
Whether the unit is hot or cold
Whether the engine is running
Whether vibration affects the problem
Whether cycling power changes the condition
Whether another aircraft system appears to affect it

The more information we receive, the easier it is to reproduce and diagnose intermittent faults.

Step 3 — Identify Your Avionics

Include your information with the unit.

We recommend placing a printed sheet inside the package containing:

Customer Information

Name
Company, if applicable
Phone number
Email address
Return shipping address

Avionics Information

Manufacturer
Model
Part number
Serial number
Aircraft make and model

Problem Description

Describe exactly what the unit is doing.

Examples:

GNS 430W:
“Display becomes very dim after approximately 20 minutes.”

GNS 530:
“Unit powers on but screen remains blank.”

GTN 750:
“Touchscreen intermittently does not respond.”

Transponder:
“Unit powers on but ATC reports intermittent Mode C altitude.”

Specific descriptions are much more useful than simply writing “doesn’t work.”

Step 4 — Package Your Avionics Carefully

Aircraft avionics contain sensitive electronics and should be packaged accordingly.

Recommended Packaging

Use a strong corrugated shipping box with adequate room around the equipment.

Protect the unit with:

Anti-static protection when appropriate
Bubble wrap
Foam cushioning
Protective packing material
Additional padding around knobs and connectors

The avionics unit should not be able to move freely inside the box.

Protect the Front Bezel

Special attention should be given to:

Display screens
Knobs
Buttons
Bezel corners
Connector areas

Avoid placing pressure directly on screens or control knobs.

Double-Box High-Value Avionics

For expensive or heavier avionics, we strongly recommend double-boxing.

Recommended Method

Inner box:
Protect the unit with cushioning on all sides.

Outer box:
Place the inner box inside a second shipping box with additional cushioning around it.

This provides additional protection from impacts during transportation.

What NOT to Put Inside the Box

Unless requested, do not send unnecessary aircraft components or accessories.

Avoid including items such as:

Mounting rack
Installation tray
Connector backshells
Wiring harnesses
GPS antennas
NAV antennas
COM antennas
Aircraft logbooks
Original avionics packaging that you do not want damaged

If we need another component for troubleshooting, we can discuss that with you separately.

Step 5 — Ship Your Avionics

Ship your packaged avionics to:

Apex Avionics Repair

1321 Apopka Airport Road
Hangar 56
Apopka, FL 32712

Please place your:

Name + Repair Request Number

on or inside the shipment whenever possible.

START REPAIR REQUEST

Step 6 — Send Us Your Tracking Number

Once the package has shipped, send us the carrier and tracking number.

This helps us identify incoming avionics and match the shipment with your repair request.

Examples:

UPS
FedEx
USPS

Keep your tracking information until the repair process is complete.

What Happens After Your Avionics Arrive?

Once your equipment arrives at Apex Avionics Repair, it can be matched to your repair information and entered into the evaluation process.

Depending on the equipment and reported problem, evaluation may include inspection and applicable diagnostic testing.

The objective is to determine:

Whether the reported fault can be duplicated
Whether the problem originates inside the avionics unit
What area of the unit is affected
Whether repair is practical
What the appropriate next step should be

Avionics Bench Evaluation

Some avionics faults can only be properly diagnosed after the equipment is removed from the aircraft and evaluated separately.

Bench evaluation can be particularly useful for:

Units that will not power on
Random reboots
Intermittent operation
Display failures
Dim screens
Blank displays
Button failures
Encoder problems
COM issues
NAV issues
GPS problems
Transponder faults
Audio problems

Separating the avionics unit from the aircraft can help determine whether a problem follows the equipment or originates elsewhere in the installation.

When the Problem May Be in the Aircraft

Not every avionics problem is caused by the avionics unit itself.

A reported equipment failure can sometimes originate from:

Aircraft wiring
Ground connections
Circuit breakers
Power supply
Avionics rack
Connector pins
Antennas
Coaxial cables
Audio panel
PTT wiring
External sensors
Other connected avionics

If a unit performs normally during evaluation, additional troubleshooting of the aircraft installation may be recommended.

Garmin Avionics Mail-In Repair

Apex provides diagnostic and repair support for numerous Garmin avionics products.

Common Garmin equipment may include:

Garmin GNS Series

Garmin GNS 430
Garmin GNS 430W
Garmin GNS 530
Garmin GNS 530W

VIEW GARMIN GNS REPAIR

Garmin GTN Series

Garmin GTN 650
Garmin GTN 650Xi
Garmin GTN 750
Garmin GTN 750Xi

VIEW GARMIN GTN REPAIR

Garmin G1000 Equipment

Garmin G1000 displays
GDU units
GIA units
Associated G1000 components

VIEW GARMIN G1000 REPAIR

Other Garmin Avionics

Garmin GTX transponders
Garmin GMA audio panels
Garmin GNX navigators
Garmin GPS navigators
Other eligible Garmin avionics

VIEW GARMIN AVIONICS REPAIR

Garmin GNS Screen Repair Mail-In Service

Having trouble with the display in a Garmin GNS unit?

Common symptoms include:

Dim screen
Fading display
Blank screen
Display discoloration
Lines through the screen
Missing pixels
Dead pixels
Backlight problems
Intermittent display
Screen changes as the unit heats up

We recommend taking clear photographs or video of the problem before removing the unit.

This is especially useful for intermittent screen problems that may not appear immediately during evaluation.

VIEW GARMIN GNS SCREEN REPAIR

Avionics We Commonly Evaluate

Mail-in avionics may include eligible:

GPS navigators
NAV/COM units
GPS/NAV/COM units
Multifunction displays
Primary flight displays
Transponders
Audio panels
Communication radios
Navigation radios
Electronic flight instruments
Autopilot components
Avionics control units
Other aircraft electronic equipment

If you are unsure whether we can evaluate your unit, submit the model and problem before shipping.

ASK ABOUT YOUR AVIONICS

Shipping Avionics From an Aircraft Maintenance Shop

We welcome repair requests from:

A&P mechanics
Inspection Authorization mechanics
Avionics technicians
Aircraft maintenance shops
Flight schools
Flying clubs
Aircraft dealers
Fleet operators

When sending equipment on behalf of an aircraft owner, please include:

Shop name
Technician contact
Customer or aircraft name
Aircraft registration number
Equipment model
Serial number
Detailed discrepancy

This allows us to communicate efficiently about the equipment.

Troubleshooting Intermittent Avionics Before Shipping

Intermittent problems can be difficult to reproduce.

Before removing the unit, document everything you can.

Pay attention to whether the problem:

Happens immediately after startup
Appears after the avionics heats up
Occurs only during flight
Appears during engine start
Changes with vibration
Changes when transmitting
Changes when another avionics unit is turned on
Disappears after cycling power

Video of an intermittent failure can be especially valuable.

Take Photos Before You Ship

Before packaging your avionics, photograph:

The front of the unit
The display while powered on, if possible
The model and serial number label
Any visible damage
The unit inside the protective packaging
The completed shipping box

These photographs provide a useful record of the equipment’s condition before shipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I ship avionics directly to Apex?

Yes. Eligible avionics can be sent directly to Apex for evaluation. We recommend submitting a repair request before shipping so the unit can be matched with your contact and discrepancy information.

Can individual aircraft owners work directly with Apex?

Yes. We welcome individual aircraft owners and owner-pilots to work directly with us. You do not need to go through a dealer or avionics shop simply to begin the repair process.

Do I need an avionics shop to contact Apex?

No. Individual owners, pilots, mechanics, maintenance shops, flight schools and fleet operators are all welcome to contact us directly.

Do I need to know exactly what is wrong with my avionics?

No. Describe the symptoms as clearly as possible and provide any photographs, videos or error messages you have.

Do I need to send the avionics rack?

Usually, no. Do not send the rack or installation tray unless we specifically request it.

Should I send my wiring harness?

Not unless requested. Most mail-in repair situations begin with the avionics unit itself.

Should I send photographs of the problem?

Yes. Photos and videos are particularly useful for intermittent failures, display problems and error messages.

Can my mechanic ship the unit directly to you?

Yes. Aircraft owners, A&P mechanics, IAs, avionics shops and maintenance facilities can submit units for evaluation.

Can I send a Garmin GNS 430 or 530?

Submit the exact model and reported problem through our repair request process so we can determine the appropriate service path.

What if my avionics work normally when you test them?

That information can be important. If a unit functions normally during evaluation, troubleshooting may need to shift toward the aircraft wiring, rack, antennas, power system or other connected equipment.

Before You Close the Box

Use this quick checklist:

Avionics Shipping Checklist

☐ Repair request submitted

☐ Name and contact information included

☐ Model number included

☐ Serial number included

☐ Aircraft information included

☐ Detailed discrepancy included

☐ Error messages documented

☐ Photos or video taken

☐ Unit protected with adequate cushioning

☐ Screen and knobs protected

☐ Package securely sealed

☐ Tracking number saved

Ready to Ship Your Avionics?

Start by telling us what equipment you have and what it is doing.

1. Submit Your Repair Request

Provide the model, serial number and description of the problem.