Need to get your aircraft to an avionics shop?
Ferry Flight USA provides professional avionics shop ferry flights throughout the United States, helping aircraft owners, flight schools, flying clubs, brokers, dealers, management companies and corporate operators move aircraft to and from avionics installation and repair facilities.
Whether your aircraft is scheduled for a complete glass-panel conversion, Garmin navigator installation, autopilot upgrade, ADS-B equipment, engine-monitor installation or avionics troubleshooting, we can help coordinate the flight to the shop and the return trip after the work is completed.
Our nationwide ferry network supports qualifying:
Piston single-engine aircraft
Piston twins
Complex aircraft
High-performance aircraft
Selected turbine aircraft
Selected light and midsize business jets
Pilot assignment depends on aircraft type, qualifications, insurance requirements and mission needs.
REQUEST AN AVIONICS FERRY QUOTE
An avionics shop ferry flight is an aircraft repositioning flight performed specifically to move an airplane to or from a facility that installs, repairs, upgrades or troubleshoots aircraft electronics.
Owners often need ferry services when the avionics facility they want to use is located at another airport—or several states away.
A professional ferry pilot can reposition the aircraft to the shop while the owner continues with work, business or other commitments.
Once the avionics work is finished and the aircraft is properly ready for operation, Ferry Flight USA can also coordinate the return flight.
The closest avionics shop is not always the best avionics shop.
Large panel upgrades can represent a major investment in an aircraft.
Owners may travel for access to:
Better installation experience
Better scheduling
Manufacturer authorization
Specialized aircraft knowledge
Specific Garmin experience
Autopilot expertise
Better pricing
Better fabrication quality
Custom panel design
Better troubleshooting capabilities
When an owner is investing tens of thousands of dollars—or substantially more—into an avionics upgrade, choosing the right installer may matter far more than choosing the closest installer.
Ferry Flight USA helps solve the transportation problem.
Garmin systems represent a significant portion of modern general aviation panel upgrades.
Aircraft may need to travel to specialized Garmin dealers or installation centers for equipment such as:
Garmin GTN-series navigators
Garmin G3X Touch
Garmin G500 / G500 TXi
Garmin G600 / G600 TXi
Garmin GI 275
Garmin G5
Garmin GFC 500
Garmin GFC 600
Garmin GTX-series transponders
Garmin audio panels
Garmin engine instrumentation
Garmin weather and traffic equipment
Garmin connectivity equipment
A complete Garmin panel installation can take the aircraft out of service for an extended period.
Using a ferry pilot can eliminate the need for the owner to personally make both the drop-off and pickup flights.
Moving from traditional analog instruments to modern electronic flight displays is one of the most common major avionics upgrades.
A glass-panel conversion may involve:
Primary flight displays
Multi-function displays
Electronic flight instruments
GPS navigators
Engine monitors
Digital autopilots
Transponders
Audio panels
Traffic systems
Weather systems
These projects can involve extensive wiring, panel fabrication and aircraft downtime.
Ferry Flight USA can help move the airplane to the installation facility and return it once the project is completed.
Modern autopilots can significantly change the capability and workload of an aircraft.
Owners may travel to another airport for:
Garmin GFC autopilot installation
Genesys / S-TEC autopilot work
Autopilot replacement
Servo replacement
Autopilot troubleshooting
Flight-control system repair
If your preferred autopilot installer is located hundreds of miles away, Ferry Flight USA can coordinate the aircraft repositioning.
Many owners still upgrade older navigation equipment with modern GPS navigators.
Aircraft may be repositioned for installation of:
WAAS GPS systems
IFR navigators
GPS/NAV/COM systems
IFR-certified navigation equipment
Flight-plan connectivity
Integrated panel systems
The aircraft can be ferried to the avionics shop before installation and returned after testing and proper return to service.
Aircraft owners may also travel to specialized avionics providers for:
ADS-B Out installation
ADS-B In equipment
Transponder replacement
Compliance troubleshooting
Antenna work
GPS position-source upgrades
Traffic systems
For aircraft that regularly operate in airspace where ADS-B requirements apply, properly functioning equipment is essential.
Any operational limitations associated with existing equipment should be evaluated before the repositioning flight.
Modern engine-monitoring systems are popular upgrades for piston aircraft.
Aircraft may be repositioned for installation of:
Primary engine monitors
EGT/CHT monitoring
Fuel-flow systems
Fuel quantity monitoring
Electrical-system monitoring
Oil pressure and temperature monitoring
Integrated engine data systems
Specialized shops may provide better experience with a specific aircraft or installation package.
Not every avionics project is a complete panel replacement.
Owners may need specialized installation for:
Audio panels
Intercom systems
NAV/COM radios
Bluetooth connectivity
USB power
Cabin audio
Passenger communication systems
Ferry Flight USA can help reposition aircraft for both major and smaller avionics projects when the preferred shop is not local.
Intermittent electrical or avionics problems can be some of the most frustrating aircraft issues to diagnose.
An owner may seek a specialized avionics shop for problems involving:
GPS failures
Communication radio issues
Navigation problems
Autopilot faults
Transponder problems
ADS-B discrepancies
Display failures
Electrical noise
Antenna problems
Wiring issues
Circuit-breaker problems
Data-bus faults
Before a flight is scheduled, any known avionics discrepancy must be evaluated to determine whether the aircraft remains appropriate and legal for the intended operation.
A ferry pilot does not override aircraft equipment requirements or applicable regulations simply because the airplane is being moved to a repair facility.
Possibly, depending on the specific equipment, aircraft and intended flight.
An inoperative radio may have very different operational implications from an inoperative transponder, GPS navigator, attitude source or other required equipment.
Factors may include:
Aircraft equipment requirements
Operating rules
Airspace requirements
Type of operation
Day or night
VFR or IFR
Required instruments
MEL or KOEL considerations where applicable
Placarding or deactivation requirements
Maintenance requirements
The aircraft must be legal and appropriate for the planned ferry flight.
If a Special Flight Permit or maintenance action is required, that must be addressed before departure.
A newly purchased airplane does not always go directly home.
Sometimes the buyer wants to upgrade the panel first.
For example:
A buyer may purchase an older aircraft with:
Legacy Garmin equipment
Older King radios
Vacuum-driven instruments
No modern autopilot
Older transponder equipment
Minimal engine instrumentation
Instead of delivering the airplane directly to the home airport, the buyer may choose to send it first to an avionics shop.
Ferry Flight USA can coordinate:
Seller or pre-buy facility → avionics shop → buyer’s home airport
This can make the acquisition process much more efficient.
Explore Newly Purchased Aircraft Delivery
Avionics work may also occur before an aircraft is sold.
A seller or broker may choose to upgrade equipment to improve:
Marketability
Buyer confidence
IFR capability
Panel appearance
Aircraft value
Ferry Flight USA can help reposition the aircraft to and from the avionics facility as part of the sales process.
Explore Aircraft Sale & Buyer Delivery
Flight schools often need avionics work completed without disrupting instructor schedules.
Training aircraft may need to move for:
Radio replacements
GPS upgrades
ADS-B repairs
Autopilot installation
Instrument-panel upgrades
Transponder work
Electrical troubleshooting
Using a professional ferry pilot can prevent a flight school from taking a revenue-producing instructor out of service simply to reposition an aircraft.
Explore Flight School Fleet Repositioning
Flying clubs may also benefit from outsourced repositioning.
A club aircraft may need to travel for:
Major panel upgrades
Autopilot installations
Garmin upgrades
ADS-B equipment
Troubleshooting
Radio repair
Rather than asking a club officer, CFI or member to spend one or more days repositioning the aircraft, Ferry Flight USA can coordinate the move.
Dealers, brokers and aircraft management companies often oversee multiple aircraft simultaneously.
Avionics repositioning may be required for:
Inventory upgrades
Buyer-requested installations
Lease requirements
Fleet standardization
Maintenance programs
Troubleshooting
Post-purchase upgrades
Ferry Flight USA can provide an additional pilot resource when internal crews are unavailable or better utilized elsewhere.
Ferry Flight USA can coordinate pickup from locations such as:
Private hangars
Home airports
Flight schools
Flying clubs
Dealer locations
Broker facilities
Maintenance shops
FBOs
Corporate facilities
The aircraft can then be repositioned to the selected avionics facility.
Getting the aircraft to the avionics shop is only half of the process.
Once the project is completed, the airplane still needs to come home.
Ferry Flight USA can coordinate the return flight after:
The work has been completed
Required approvals have been made
The aircraft is properly returned to service
Applicable testing has been completed
The aircraft is ready for operation
For many owners, outsourcing both legs eliminates two separate travel days.
Provide:
Aircraft make and model
Registration number
Current airport
Avionics shop airport
Requested dates
Type of avionics work
Current aircraft equipment
Known discrepancies
Insurance requirements if known
Pilot qualification may depend on:
Aircraft category and class
Complexity
High-performance requirements
Retractable gear
Tailwheel configuration
Multi-engine requirements
Pressurization
Turbine operation
Type ratings
Insurance requirements
If the aircraft is going to the avionics shop because equipment is currently inoperative, those issues must be considered before departure.
The planned flight may need to account for:
Equipment required for the intended route
Airspace restrictions
Day/night limitations
IFR/VFR requirements
Maintenance actions required before flight
We can coordinate anticipated arrival with the shop or designated contact.
Useful information may include:
Arrival date
Parking instructions
Hangar access
Keys
Aircraft documents
Shop contact
Delivery procedures
Planning may account for:
Weather
Aircraft range
Fuel stops
Airspace
Terrain
Airport suitability
Aircraft equipment
Daylight
Overnight stops
The aircraft is flown according to applicable regulations, aircraft limitations and safe operating practices.
Weather or maintenance concerns may alter the schedule.
Safety takes priority over an arbitrary appointment date.
The aircraft is delivered according to the agreed shop instructions.
When the avionics project is completed and the aircraft is properly ready for operation, a return ferry flight can also be coordinated.
Avionics ferry pricing depends on the specific mission.
Factors may include:
Aircraft type
Distance
Aircraft speed
Aircraft range
Pilot fee
Pilot travel
Number of flight days
Hotels
Ground transportation
Crew requirements
Insurance requirements
Equipment limitations
Weather
A short 100-mile aircraft repositioning flight is very different from sending a complex twin 1,500 miles to a specialty avionics installer.
For that reason, Ferry Flight USA provides mission-specific quotes.
VIEW THE AIRCRAFT FERRY COST GUIDE
Mission terms should be established before departure.
Potential aircraft operating expenses include:
Fuel
Oil
Ramp fees
Landing fees
Parking
Pilot travel expenses may include:
Airline airfare
Rental vehicles
Rideshare
Hotels
Return transportation
The quote or mission agreement should clearly explain how these costs will be handled.
Ferry Flight USA coordinates qualifying avionics repositioning flights throughout the United States.
Aircraft may need to move:
Within Florida
Florida to Texas
Florida to Georgia
Florida to North Carolina
Florida to Tennessee
Florida to the Midwest
Florida to California
California to Arizona
Texas to Florida
Northeast to Florida
West Coast to specialty avionics facilities
And nationwide
The right avionics installer does not necessarily need to be located at your home airport.
A significant panel upgrade can be one of the largest investments you make in your aircraft.
If you are spending substantial money on:
Glass displays
GPS navigators
Autopilot
Engine monitoring
Panel fabrication
Electrical work
the quality of the installation can matter more than whether the shop is 20 miles away or 500 miles away.
A professional ferry service gives you the ability to choose a shop based on:
Expertise
Reputation
Equipment specialization
Scheduling
Quality
Price
instead of geography alone.
We coordinate qualifying avionics ferry missions throughout the United States.
Pilot assignment considers the aircraft, ratings, experience and insurance requirements.
We can help coordinate aircraft pickup and delivery with the appropriate avionics facility.
We can move the aircraft to the shop and coordinate its return after completion.
We work with private owners, flight schools, clubs, dealers, brokers, management companies and corporate operators.
No installation appointment is more important than safe and legal operation of the aircraft.
Can you ferry my aircraft to an avionics shop?
Yes. Ferry Flight USA coordinates qualifying aircraft repositioning flights to avionics shops throughout the United States.
Can you bring the aircraft home after the avionics work is finished?
Yes. Once the installation is complete and the aircraft is properly ready for flight, a return ferry mission can be coordinated.
Can you ferry an aircraft for a Garmin panel upgrade?
Yes. Qualifying aircraft can be repositioned for Garmin installations and other avionics upgrades.
Can you ferry an aircraft for an autopilot installation?
Yes.
Can you ferry an aircraft with inoperative avionics?
Possibly. It depends on which equipment is inoperative, the aircraft, route, airspace and applicable operating requirements.
Can you move an aircraft for ADS-B repair?
Yes, if the aircraft can be legally operated on the planned route with its current equipment status.
Can you deliver a newly purchased aircraft directly to an avionics shop?
Yes. Instead of delivering the aircraft to the buyer’s home airport first, the initial post-purchase delivery can potentially terminate at the avionics facility.
Can you ferry flight-school airplanes for avionics work?
Yes. Flight schools can use Ferry Flight USA to move qualifying training aircraft to and from avionics facilities.
Do you ferry piston twins for avionics upgrades?
Yes, when a properly rated and qualified pilot meeting applicable insurance requirements is available.
Does my insurance need to approve the ferry pilot?
Requirements vary by policy. The ferry pilot may need to satisfy specific experience or named-pilot requirements.
How much does an avionics ferry flight cost?
The cost depends on aircraft type, distance, pilot requirements, travel expenses, number of flight days and other mission-specific factors.
What information do you need for a quote?
Provide the aircraft make and model, N-number, current airport, avionics shop airport, requested timing, type of avionics work and any known equipment discrepancies.
Do not let distance prevent you from using the avionics shop that best fits your aircraft and project.
Whether you are installing:
A new Garmin panel
Glass displays
An autopilot
A GPS navigator
ADS-B
Engine monitoring
New radios
Ferry Flight USA can help coordinate the aircraft’s transportation.
What aircraft do you have?
Where is it now?
Which avionics shop are you using?
When is the appointment?
We’ll use that information to evaluate the route, pilot requirements, scheduling and expected ferry cost.
