Since 1968, our factory in Arizona has provided top quality equipment for General Aviation throughout the United States and worldwide. TKM Avionics provides reliable, reasonably priced avionics and test equipment. Over 40,000 TKM Inc. replacement radios have been placed into field service to date.
In 1968, Bill Michel (photo left) left a top job at Motorola to create TKM (then known as Michel Avionics). He broke ground for one of the first industrial buildings on a taxi way on (now) Scottsdale Airport in Arizona. He was both an RF engineer/short-wave radio enthusiast and a pilot. His first design products were avionics test equipment for comms, nav/comms, and transponders. They were quickly a success and the company grew.
As a pilot, he became frustrated with the high cost avionics and support from the large manufacturers to keep his airplane in the air. Fueled by that frustration he began designing a line of low-cost plug-in comms and nav/comms. They were user friendly to install and use and were superior in quality and technology than the units they were replacing. All of the product line was TSOd to assure compatibility with anything they replaced.
Fast forward to today, we still maintain our commitment to Bill’s ideals of servicing the small airplane owner by offering low-cost alternatives to costly full panel upgrades.
“All of our new ‘slide-in’ replacement units ship from the factory with a 2-year warranty. Now, more than ever, we’re focused on quality and advanced engineering to ensure our systems offer ‘plug and play’ ease of installation. We’re also working on innovations such as Bluetooth connectivity and 8.33khz EASA compliant models.” – Ken Beckemeyer / President TKM, Inc
TKM Avionics Introduces Slide-in Replacement for King KX 155
The company continues its tradition of offering owner-installable navcom radios.
By Rob Mark, April 6, 2017, Flying Mag, www.flyingmag.com
TKM Avionics Unveils Slide-in Replacement Radio to Replace King KX155
Announced at Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In and Expo in Florida over the weekend, the product can replace every variation of the original King radio and can operate on either a 14- or 28-volt system.
By S.L. Fuller, April 10, 2017, Aviation Today, www.aviationtoday.com
TKM’s KX155 Radio Replacement
Scottsdale, Arizona-based TKM avionics has been working on a direct slide-in replacement radio for the venerable King KX155 navcomms.
By Larry Anglisano, April 8, 2017, AVWeb, www.avweb.com
TKM Avionics Expands Radio Lineup
TKM Avionics announced an expansion of its lineup of owner-installed replacement radios, which by summer will include a slide-in replacement for BendixKing KX155/165 models.
By AOPA ePublishing staff, April 6, 2017, AOPA, www.aopa.org
TKM Avionics Makes New Product Announcement
TKM Avionics, formerly TKM Michael Avionics, has introduced a direct slide-in replacement for the King KX 155/165 series of NAV/COM radios.
By Molly McMillin, April 10, 2017, Aviation Week, www.aviationweek.com
TKM Avionics Announces New Slide-In Replacement For King KX155
TKM Avionics has developed a direct slide-in replacement for King KX155/165 series of NAV/COM radios. The company expects to begin deliveries of the owner-installable replacement units this summer.
By Staff, April 8, 2017, Aero News, www.aero-news.net
TKM Avionics Offers Replacement for King Navcom Radios
Sun ’n’ Fun 2017 might go down as seminal for plug-and-play replacements for aging avionics in general aviation aircraft, and TKM Avionics (formerly Michael Avionics) brought a line of digital retrofit radios that are a perfect fit for aircraft owners looking to upgrade their ILS-capable King KX155 navcom radios.
By Amy Laboda, April 5, 2017, AIN, www.ainonline.com
Need a replacement for your King KX155/165?
TKM Avionics has developed a direct slide-in replacement for the King KX155/165 series of NAV/COM radios. The company expects first deliveries this summer.
By Staff, April 6, 2017, General Aviation News, www.generalaviationnews.com
TKM’s KX155 Radio Replacement
Scottsdale, Arizona-based TKM Avionics has been working on a direct slide-in replacement radio for the venerable King KX155 NAV/COMMs. It brought the radio to Sun ‘n Fun 2017 in Lakeland, Florida, where TKM’s Vic Casebolt gave a demo to Aviation Consumer editor Larry Anglisano.
History of TKM Avionics
Piper Cessna Magazine Article by Bob Hart, November 2014
“Their story is a good one and I expect (TKM) Michel Avionics will be around for quite a while continuing to make good quality, affordable avionics with the budget-minded avionics buyer in mind and that’s a very good thing!”
Bob Hart, www.AvionixHelp.com
Press Release
AEA International Convention & Trade Show – March 2015
“March 27, 2015, Scottsdale, AZ—One of the world’s most prolific but least-advertised manufacturers of navcoms for GA aircraft is TKM Avionics, formerly TKM Michel Avionics. TKM, now owned by former AmSafe CEO Ken Beckemeyer, is a new company with a long history that has delivered over 37,000 legacy replacement navcoms since 1969.”
Dave Franson, davefranson@mac.com
