What equipment do you consider "essential?"

[plehrke]

Originally Posted by N546RV

So that leads to the core question I'm having, which is deciding that "stuff" I really need. I plan on equipping the aircraft for IFR flight but not flying in actual IMC on any kind of regular basis. Avionics will be Dynon (likely two displays, plus Skyview radio/intercom/transponder) and probably a GPS-175 for the TSO GPS role. I don't plan on installing a second com radio, and instead keeping a handheld on board for backup purposes.

The first and most obvious thing to me is maintaining an attitude reference. I'll be equipping one or both displays with backup batteries, so even in case of a total electrical failure I'll retain the attitude reference.

After that, though, honestly I'm starting to feel like everything else is OK to do without. Primary com fails? I've go the handheld. Transponder is dead? I don't really care. ADS-B receiver? Totally nonessential. The GPS-175, at least, is debatable - I'll still be able to navigate via Skyview but have no capability to shoot an approach. The only other things I can think of are the boost pump and pitot heat, which both seem nice-to-have-but-not-essential to me.

Basically, this all boils down to whether it's worth it to have any sort of e-bus (pick your preferred "e" word here) at all. I plan on using a VP-X for circuit protection, and wiring up backup paths for these devices, while not horrible, does pretty quickly add some complexity inflation to the system. And I'm honestly not convinced that it's worth it, but I'm here to allow people to change my mind if necessary.

So with that in mind, what's "essential" in your plane? What's faulty in my reasoning above? Tear my rationales apart, that's what I'm here for.

Back to the original question and probably adding a new line of differing opinions than the never ending backup battery discussion. I am a firm believer that backup instruments need to be basic and different from the primary. It does not take a lot of panel space or extra plumbing to put in a steam gage airspeed indicator, altimeter, and tach. Probably lighter than the backup battery. Backup battery for EFIS still has single point failure since battery only addresses power failure.

[RV10Pilot]

I consider the following essential, in priority order.
Trim (mine is all electric)
EFIS
GPS Navigation (of some sort, preferably the IFR navigator)
Com
Autopilot

Next tier (probably not essential)
Transponder
Flaps
Boost Pump
Landing Light

It would be nice to get others to list what they consider essential, and not focus on their strategy to power the essential components

[snoop9erdog]

Here is my plan and simple architecture

I tend to agree with the outdated e-buss architecture for the modern day EFIS systems: For a dual screen G3X System with CB's to pull and shut down components and Isolate any loads.

I have a single Main Battery and Alternator,

If alternator goes TU, I have Main Battery (probably Earth X) for approximately an hour or more with GTN 625 still op.......

When that goes below 11 volts.....The TCW IBBS kicks on and will power for another hour or more the following essentials:

G3X Screen
GSU 25 ADAHRS
GEA 24 Engine Mon
Maybe GTN 625
Maybe GAD 29 ARINC

Will have Handheld Comm and the G5 with it's own seperate and isolated backup battery.

If after all that (approx 2+ hours of backup juice) my bladder will have exploded or I'm just really having a bad day.

I have to continually remind myself that I'm building a simple but yet capable IFR at times 9 machine and at the end of the day the big fan out front could always be the single point of failure...

[sglynn]

Here is your succinct answer to what equipment is needed:
Dynon SkyView (HDX) - Just one screen. Primary EFIS, Engine and Map 10"
Dynon D6 - Independent backup with separate magnetometer
Garmin GPS (430) or better depending on budget. - IFR approaches and Comm 1.
Dynon Radio for Comm 2.
PS Engineering Audio Panel.
Dynon Autopilot.

http://www.mykitlog.com/users/displa...=251845&row=49

The HDX and D6 give you redundant and independent EFIS which I think meets the IFR requirement for multiple gyros.

[larrynew]

Originally Posted by sglynn

...which I think meets the IFR requirement for multiple gyros.

Here is EAA's answer to "Equipping a homebuild for IFR Operations": https://www.eaa.org/eaa/aircraft-bui...ifr-operations.