The Dynon SkyView HDX and the experimental avionics company that broke into the certified world

Dynon Avionics’ SkyView HDX is the first glass cockpit born in the experimental world to earn FAA certification for type-certificated airplanes. Approved for the Cessna 172R, 172S, 182T, and 182P, it delivers a fully integrated flight deck — PFD, MFD, engine monitoring, autopilot, and moving map — at $25,000 to $35,000 installed, roughly 30 to 40 percent less than a comparable Garmin setup. Its arrival marks the first real competitive pressure the certified avionics market has seen in years.

How Did an Experimental Avionics Company Break Into the Certified Market?

For decades, Part 23 certification costs created a regulatory moat around the certified avionics market. Only a handful of companies — primarily Garmin — could afford the process, and they priced accordingly. Meanwhile, Dynon Avionics, based in Woodinville, Washington, was building glass cockpits for experimental aircraft that were intuitive, affordable, and feature-rich.

Two regulatory shifts changed the equation. In 2017, the FAA modernized Part 23 with performance-based airworthiness standards, replacing prescriptive engineering specs with outcome-focused requirements. Instead of dictating how to build avionics, the FAA began defining what they had to accomplish. In 2020, Dynon earned a supplemental type certificate (STC) to install the SkyView HDX in the certified Cessna 172S — the same Skyhawk used in flight schools and rental fleets across the country.

What Does the Certified SkyView HDX Package Include?

The certified SkyView HDX is not a stripped-down version of the experimental product. The package includes:

• Dual 10-inch touchscreen displays at 1,200 nits brightness (readable in direct sunlight)
• Integrated autopilot with altitude hold and vertical speed modes
• Engine monitoring system replacing all legacy round gauges
• Built-in GPS navigator
• ADS-B In and Out
• Synthetic vision
• Backup battery to keep the system running through an electrical bus failure

The interface uses pinch-to-zoom, tap, and swipe gestures. If you’ve used a modern tablet, the learning curve is minimal.

Why Does Dynon’s Software Approach Matter?

Dynon treats avionics like software. They push free firmware updates that deliver genuine new capabilities — not just bug fixes. Over the SkyView platform’s life, owners have received synthetic vision, ADS-B In traffic and weather, autopilot envelope protection, and angle-of-attack indexing, all at no additional cost on hardware they already owned.

In the traditional certified avionics model, each of those features would be a separate box with a separate price tag and a separate STC. Dynon has shipped over 40,000 SkyView systems worldwide across experimental and certified installations, and customer satisfaction is notably high.

How Does the SkyView HDX Compare to Garmin on Price?

A full Dynon SkyView HDX certified panel runs $25,000 to $35,000 installed, depending on the shop and options selected. A comparable Garmin panel — a pair of G5 instruments, GNX 375 navigator, GFC 500 autopilot, and engine monitor — typically costs north of $50,000. That’s a 30 to 40 percent price difference for a system many pilots consider to have a superior user interface.

What Are the Trade-Offs?

Limited STC coverage. The approved model list currently covers the Cessna 172R, 172S, 182T, and 182P only. Piper Cherokee, Beechcraft Bonanza, and Mooney owners cannot install the system yet. Dynon has stated they are expanding the list, but each new aircraft model requires its own STC, testing, and paperwork.

Fewer certified autopilot modes. Some advanced autopilot capabilities available on the experimental version — including two-axis autopilot with approach coupling — are still working through the certification process. Pilots needing full IFR approach coupling on the certified side should review the current feature list carefully.

Smaller installer network. Garmin has spent decades building relationships with avionics shops nationwide. Dynon’s authorized installation center list is growing but still more limited, which may mean fewer shop choices and longer wait times.

Less integrated ecosystem. Garmin’s ecosystem ties together Flight Stream, the Garmin Pilot app, database subscriptions, and third-party compatibility into a tightly integrated stack. Dynon works well with ForeFlight and offers Wi-Fi data push to tablets, but the integration is not as deep or seamless as Garmin’s own app ecosystem.

Why Does This Matter for Every Pilot?

Dynon’s entry into the certified market has introduced real competition where none existed. When a pilot walks into an avionics shop asking for a glass panel for a Skyhawk, the shop now presents two options instead of one. Competition drives innovation and pushes prices down — that benefits every pilot regardless of which brand they choose.

The SkyView HDX’s journey from experimental-only to certified is also a case study in effective regulatory reform. The old Part 23 framework was so expensive that it effectively granted a monopoly to incumbent manufacturers. The modernized rules lowered the barrier enough for a company with a proven product and loyal customer base to cross over. The technology didn’t change. The rules did.

Should You Buy a Dynon SkyView HDX?

If you fly a Cessna 172 or 182 and you’re planning a panel upgrade, the SkyView HDX deserves serious consideration. The hardware is excellent, the software is mature, the price is significantly lower than Garmin, and Dynon has a track record of supporting products with meaningful updates for years after purchase. Fly behind one before making a decision — most pilots who do come away surprised by the quality.

If you fly a different type, watch the STC expansion list. And even if you ultimately buy Garmin, Dynon’s presence in the certified market is the reason Garmin is working harder to earn your money.

Key Takeaways

• The Dynon SkyView HDX is FAA-certified for Cessna 172R/S and 182T/P models, with STC expansion planned for additional aircraft
• Installed cost of $25,000–$35,000 represents a 30–40% savings over comparable Garmin panels
• Free firmware updates deliver new features over time, a model borrowed from Dynon’s experimental roots
• The FAA’s 2017 Part 23 modernization made certification feasible for Dynon, breaking the incumbent monopoly in certified avionics
• Trade-offs include limited aircraft coverage, fewer certified autopilot modes, a smaller installer network, and a less integrated app ecosystem compared to Garmin