Panel review request, IFR

[BobTurner]

Originally Posted by BobRV7

Hi Jereme, my last RV7 I built with a Garmin 430 WAAS and was certified for IFR and my dual GRT EFIS, for my new RV7 kit I was looking at the Garmin GNC 255 Series VHF NAV/COM/VOR/ILS/GS Radio for $6595.00 but they don't mention WASS or IFR certified on any spec so I think you may have to buy something else for it. It also doesn't mention ARINC, WAAS which you need or if it would work with any thing other than the Garmin products such as the GX3. If anyone knows let me know.
I do like your panel's. Cheers-Bob

The GNC is a nav-com. WAAS is for GPS. No connection between the two.
The Garmin list price is $2K less than what you posted.
The 255 almost certainly carries a TSO, but it?s not required for part 91 ops.
The 255 has an ARINC output, but whether or not the software is proprietary to Garmin, or not, you?ll need to ask the EFIS (or CDI, etc) manufacturer.

[Pilot135pd]

Originally Posted by jcarne

Thanks for the comments so far guys. Many good ideas represented in this thread. I hope someone in the future also finds it as useful as I did.

Well here is where I am at now. I think I will go with one screen and an iPad and see how I like it. If I feel the need to add the second screen I have it planned so that the space is still there. I will probably go ahead and install any wiring needed ahead of time too so when I eventually sell the plane the buyer has the option to easily add it if they want.

I also caught the fact that the panel Van's has in their CAD model is NOT the same dimension as in real life; it doesn't have the bottom bend in it which takes about an inch off. Good thing I caught that because it definitely moved some things around.

Some Notes:
-I'm going to go with the Garmin COM as I simply couldn't get a layout I liked with the Dynon while ALSO not getting interference with the ribs.
-I decided on an Avidyne IFD-440 after reviewing their website and a few different comparisons to the Garmin 650. The more I read, it became easy to make that decision
-Many people might say move the HDX or the Avidyne up but I have the ribs in the CAD model as well and they are both as high as they can go without interfering with the ribs. Unfortunately, this is ultimately why I couldn't go with the IFD-540 but that's okay, I'll save 3k instead.
-I redid the switch labeling to something I'm more happy with.
-I swapped the a/p and knob module as it makes more sense to have the knob module closer to you since you use it more
-The audio panel is now down low

Anyways let me know what you all think but I'm pretty happy with it now.

FINAL PANEL by Jereme Carne, on Flickr

Since you?re going with the iPad you might want to do a search here for a thread about a company that has a small button and knob panel you place below the iPad and it has a proprietary box that gives you another EFIS. It?s about $500 so not expensive either.

[jcarne]

Originally Posted by Pilot135pd

Since you?re going with the iPad you might want to do a search here for a thread about a company that has a small button and knob panel you place below the iPad and it has a proprietary box that gives you another EFIS. It?s about $500 so not expensive either.

How interesting. I think I found it from a company called Open Flight Solutions.

[Pilot135pd]

Originally Posted by jcarne

How interesting. I think I found it from a company called Open Flight Solutions.

Yes, that?s the one I?m considering. I?ll leave the engine monitoring to the Dynon since it?s already installed but use the iPad with their system as a backup EFIS plus WingX for everything else.

[BobRV7]

To Bob Turner: Well thanks for the info just a Nav/com radio. Here is where I got the price: http://www.chiefaircraft.com/gmn-gnc255.html

[Planecrazy232]

Not the greatest picture, but I agree on the big screen on the right being a waste. This is my 6A IFR panel. I’ve got the switches laid out in flight phase, everything is easily in my view and reach. The flap switch is activated with my index finder while I have a good grip on the throttle. My iPad mounts to the stick right in front of me, and easier to use there than fixed in place across the panel. It is all very ergonomic.

[BobTurner]

Originally Posted by BobRV7

To Bob Turner: Well thanks for the info just a Nav/com radio. Here is where I got the price: http://www.chiefaircraft.com/gmn-gnc255.html

I see. You're quoting the 16 Watt version price. 10 Watts (much cheaper!) should be plenty for an RV, unless you're regularly getting up into the flight levels (!).
I see the installation manual says it's compatible with the SL-30. If true, then most EFIS units should support this nav/com via an RS232 hook up.

[RV10Pilot]

Originally Posted by Planecrazy232

The flap switch is activated with my index finder while I have a good grip on the throttle.

You may want to add your throttle, mixture and prop (if you have a CS) into the layout to insure that you are happy with the position of the flaps and boost pump switches so easy to get to with your hand on the throttle.

[jcarne]

Originally Posted by Planecrazy232

Not the greatest picture, but I agree on the big screen on the right being a waste. This is my 6A IFR panel. I?ve got the switches laid out in flight phase, everything is easily in my view and reach. The flap switch is activated with my index finder while I have a good grip on the throttle. My iPad mounts to the stick right in front of me, and easier to use there than fixed in place across the panel. It is all very ergonomic.

Great looking panel you got there!

[Reflex]

Jeremy,

What program are you using to lay out the panels? Looks nice.

Fred