690 Air Conditioning

[Jonathan Gray]

We are in the market for a 690 and don't know if air condition is necessary.  We are upgrading from and Aztec and have never had a plane with air conditioning.  Is this a must or would we be able to live without it?

[EricDapp]

Don will let you know as soon as he checks in. But he might want to know if most of your flying will be in the Pacific Northwest or Phoenix.

[SKYFLYER]

It is sorta like the first time you got a car with intermittent wipers... the thought "why do I need these?" but once you had them...  you found that you would not have another car without that feature.
Unlike the Aztec.. you will find the Commander cabin much larger and not as quick to cool upon opening the door... regardless of where your based, you will sooner or later be somewhere that it is hot and humid or just summer flying and find that having the a/c will be a most welcome and money well spent item to have. At least that has been my view... as I would not have a cabin aircraft without a/c.

[Jonathan Gray]

We are based in Detroit.  Most of our flying will me in the Midwest but we will take it to FL a few times a year.

[EricDapp]

How much does it cost to ad air? I guess it wouldn't be a deal breaker if you could ad it. The permanent spar would probably rank higher for me. I heard its $150k now. Glass panel with garmins $100k. Air? 40k?

[Adam Frisch]

As far as I know they all come with air conditioning. It's part of the environmental system. I know my ancient 680V had it from the factory already in 1967.

[donv]

They all have it in a way, through the air cycle machine. But that's not the same as something like a Keith freon system, with a couple of blowers. Believe me, it makes a big difference.

So, having it now and not having it in the past, I much prefer to have it. Especially in the midwest during the summer... That said, I don't know how much it costs to put it in, and I suppose I might not pay to add it. However, in my opinion it's definitely a plus.

Incidentally, the Jetprops with the "Enviro" system all have basically the Keith system with no air cycle machine.

[Steve binnette]

Bleed air the source of your pressurization is very hot. There is a variety of ways to cool it.  Some more effective and cheaper than others but it must be cooled!

Can't imagine taxing around in Florida without opening Windows or AC.