Ya' know, what we really need.....
After 78 hours of flying the new EFIS-equipped -8, I am getting close to the point where I'll be ready to file IFR. I've spent a fair number of hours flying approaches, holds, and route segments under VFR conditions - and not because I was troubleshooting systems problems! In fact, I can't think of a single thing that hasn't worked right from the beginning in my GNS-430/GRT EFIS/Tru-Trak Pictorial Pilot system. No, the tricky thing has been figuring out how they play togetehr, how to get get them configured to do what I want to do - and making sure that I set them up properly for each specific task. It's not a problem with the equipment - it's a question of getting the pilot up to speed!
As I was flying along today, (burning 10 gallons per hour) figuring out the right setup for a GPS approach, I thought "What we really need is an out-of-work computer geek to build custom aircraft avionics configurations for MS Flight Sim that match people's actual panels!" I have downloaded countless aircraft models for the program, and some of the details that people put into them are incredible - from the standpoint of matching paint, panels, handling qualities, etc....But I've never seen anyone who dedictaed their work to matching a particular avionics system for a homebuilt. I know it can be done - there is a model of a CRJ with a Honeywell EFIS (or is it Bendix? I forget...) that functions pretty much like the one in the real thing.
Now if a person knew what they were doing, they could build a library of the popular Experimental avionics systems out there (EFIS's, autopilots, and Navigators) and then build up "aircraft" to people's specifications. We're talking panel simulations here - part-task trainers. They don't have to look and fly like the real airplane - they just need to have all the panel elements, linked in a way so that they can be used by the owner to master (and maintain currency) with their particular package! WHat would that be worth? I bet a person could make some money on it!
The place to learn how to operate a sophisticated avionics package is on the ground, in a simulator. It's safer, much more efficient, and burns a whole lot less gas.....
OK, so I have ideas....I didn't say I had any time (or talent....) to make them happen! But if anyone out there wants to build a model with a Dual-screen GRT EFIS, GNS-430, TruTrak Pictorial Pilot, Altrak...in something that flies about the speed of an RV-8 - well, I'd be real interested!
Paul
After 78 hours of flying the new EFIS-equipped -8, I am getting close to the point where I'll be ready to file IFR. I've spent a fair number of hours flying approaches, holds, and route segments under VFR conditions - and not because I was troubleshooting systems problems! In fact, I can't think of a single thing that hasn't worked right from the beginning in my GNS-430/GRT EFIS/Tru-Trak Pictorial Pilot system. No, the tricky thing has been figuring out how they play togetehr, how to get get them configured to do what I want to do - and making sure that I set them up properly for each specific task. It's not a problem with the equipment - it's a question of getting the pilot up to speed!
As I was flying along today, (burning 10 gallons per hour) figuring out the right setup for a GPS approach, I thought "What we really need is an out-of-work computer geek to build custom aircraft avionics configurations for MS Flight Sim that match people's actual panels!" I have downloaded countless aircraft models for the program, and some of the details that people put into them are incredible - from the standpoint of matching paint, panels, handling qualities, etc....But I've never seen anyone who dedictaed their work to matching a particular avionics system for a homebuilt. I know it can be done - there is a model of a CRJ with a Honeywell EFIS (or is it Bendix? I forget...) that functions pretty much like the one in the real thing.
Now if a person knew what they were doing, they could build a library of the popular Experimental avionics systems out there (EFIS's, autopilots, and Navigators) and then build up "aircraft" to people's specifications. We're talking panel simulations here - part-task trainers. They don't have to look and fly like the real airplane - they just need to have all the panel elements, linked in a way so that they can be used by the owner to master (and maintain currency) with their particular package! WHat would that be worth? I bet a person could make some money on it!
The place to learn how to operate a sophisticated avionics package is on the ground, in a simulator. It's safer, much more efficient, and burns a whole lot less gas.....
OK, so I have ideas....I didn't say I had any time (or talent....) to make them happen! But if anyone out there wants to build a model with a Dual-screen GRT EFIS, GNS-430, TruTrak Pictorial Pilot, Altrak...in something that flies about the speed of an RV-8 - well, I'd be real interested!
Paul
