“What an experience! What a place! Our 1967 182k Cessna Skylane needed one last touch to complete its makeover into the 21st century. We found S & T Avionics in Sisters, a gorgeous strip and town in central Oregon—a destination well worth the trip. The hospitality of Steve and his amazing communication makes you feel comfortable leaving your plane with a stranger and not as worried as usual.
Steve has many talents: an electrical expert who is also a pilot and has built multiple planes. He is well-versed in the products he installs and keeps a detailed account of hours, parts, and money spent on the project. Being in Sisters, OR, most of us can’t swing by to see progress, but his daily updates to the spreadsheets and photos shared in an online folder make that unnecessary.
Once completed, the time spent educating us on how to operate and understand the new system was invaluable. I can’t say enough about S & T Avionics. Steve is worth the flight, and your plane is safe in his care. Thanks, Steve!”
— Chad & Lorna,
Cessna 1967 182K (Miss Griz)
“I recently became a power plane pilot after three decades of glider flying. While many stories start the other way around, I’ve embraced the challenge of transitioning to powered flight. In gliding, the instruments can be sophisticated, but they tend to focus on just a few essential functions. Ultimately, soaring is about 99% watching outside the cockpit to find lift and maximize flight time.
When I purchased my 1961 P35 Bonanza, I was eager to fly cross-country and fully utilize its capabilities. The paint was faded, the original upholstery showed its age, and the panel was also original, save for one GPS instrument addition. However, the aircraft's mechanical fundamentals were sound: a low-time, great engine and an airframe with no signs of corrosion. The magnesium ruddervators were immaculate—any old V-tail Bonanza owner knows the significance of that!
After buying the Bonanza, I embarked on a multi-year project to modernize it. I resealed the master cylinders, replaced the oil separator, rebuilt the magnetos, and installed the Electroair ignition system, which successfully eliminated the notorious hot start issues.
Now, onto the panel upgrade. Like many pilots aiming to modernize their aircraft, I faced the daunting task of navigating this process. Friends with more experience warned me of the potential challenges:
Your plane will be out of service for six months.
It will cost double what they quote you.
It will take at least twice as long as they tell you.
The saga will be frustrating at every turn.
Everyone will have different opinions on what to install.
Ongoing costs should not be overlooked.
These warnings weighed heavily on me, and I encountered several quotes that were astronomical with no guarantees regarding time or budget.
Amid this sea of uncertainty, one proposal stood out: Steve Harris's. From our discussions, it was clear he had extensive experience with these installations (he showed me his flawless Bonanza setup). Steve was transparent about the timeline and cost structure, and he handled my myriad questions with ease. He is always cheerful and responsive, typically calling me back within an hour if he didn’t have an answer right away.
What I appreciated most was his willingness to involve me in the project. I enjoyed working alongside him, and he got me started on the very first day. We reviewed the layout together, making adjustments on the spot, which made the process enjoyable and manageable for me.
Over the course of two weekends, I joined Steve in the work. While I was away, he kept me updated with daily accounts and photos, which I greatly appreciated.
When the time came to pick up the plane, it was on schedule (despite my added changes extending the timeline by a week) and under budget. We flew together for a final test flight, and I left with a state-of-the-art panel.
If the conclusion of this letter seems anticlimactic, it’s because the experience was surprisingly smooth. Steve made the entire process enjoyable, with no dramatic challenges or avionics nightmares.
Please see the attached picture of the fantastic panel Steve delivered—better, faster, and cheaper than I expected.”
— Philippe,
Beechcraft P35 Bonanza
“Hey Steve!
Just wanted to let you know I just passed 400 hours in the velocity and the plane is flying like a beauty. I’ve gotten all the gremlins figured out and every flight is such a joy with the beautiful work you did on the avionics! I hope all is well!
I would like to come up some time soon to visit Sisters again and say hi!”
— Paolo,
Velocity XL