Looking for feedback on RV-7A Garmin panel design

[terrye]

1. Your ELT switch is directly ahead of the passenger/co-pilot stick AND right next to the panel mounted co-pilot PTT switch. Suggest moving the ELT switch to the right of the breakers and move some of the breakers down where the ELT switch was.
2. I said this once already. Check for interference with your center mount radio stack and the especially the GTN 650 with the F-7108A fwd fuselage rib and the F-7108B fwd fuselage angle.

[David Carter]

Originally Posted by RV7A Flyer

Same for boost pump and flaps. Consider inadvertent activation...flaps deploying at high speed? Boost pump *in*activated accidentally during takeoff or landing?

Thank you for the feedback. I will think about these items. Flaps are controlled by the GAD 27 which will be configured to lock out deployment above Vfe. Boost pump mitigation plan is currently an annunciation on the G3X screen via a discrete input. If it becomes a problem I can always remove or disable the stick switch.

[David Carter]

Originally Posted by PilotjohnS

I am not sure about the avionics master anymore. Garmin has a nice box (Gad 27) that does not let the avionics brown out during start and provides voltage stabilization. With this box, is there still a need for an avionics master?

From what I?ve been able to gather on VAF & via discussions with multiple installers, there is no need for the avionics master even without the voltage sag protection in the GAD 27. Modern avionics have built-in protection.

In fact, the avionics master just adds another point of failure.

I have a GAD 27 in this design but primarily as flap, trim, and lighting controller.

The two leftmost switches on the bottom are BATTERY MASTER and AVIONICS BATTERY. BATTERY MASTER controls the main battery contractor. AVIONICS BATTERY controls output from the IBBS avionics backup battery to critical pieces of avionics.

[David Carter]

Originally Posted by terrye

1. Your ELT switch is directly ahead of the passenger/co-pilot stick AND right next to the panel mounted co-pilot PTT switch. Suggest moving the ELT switch to the right of the breakers and move some of the breakers down where the ELT switch was.
2. I said this once already. Check for interference with your center mount radio stack and the especially the GTN 650 with the F-7108A fwd fuselage rib and the F-7108B fwd fuselage angle.

Thank you for the feedback. I will look into both of these items.

[David Carter]

I just saw that my revised design post on this thread from earlier today made the front page. I?m now feeling guilty for not yet paying 2020 dues. Scurrying off to rectify that now. Worth every penny for the feedback on this thread alone.

[Jpm757]

8 functions on the stick? That's nuts!

[David Carter]

Originally Posted by Jpm757

8 functions on the stick? That's nuts!

It's down to 7 now! Perhaps not as crazy as it sounds when you take into account that 4 of these functions are on just two switches:

- hat switch - pitch trim up/down, com select, com flip/flop
- trigger switch - PTT

My goal is to keep HOTAS as much as is reasonable.

[Bavafa]

This is a very nice panel, congrats.

My thoughts:
- Panel real estate is very precious, so I would not waste it for the USB charger, you already have one in your audio panel and if you need any additions, perhaps between the seats or behind a panel.
- Maybe moving the ELT control closer to you than passenger.
- If you can swap the G5 and SDS, since G5 will be more useable for both sides and gets used more than the SDS.

[David Carter]

Mehrdad - thanks for the ideas.

Originally Posted by Bavafa

- Panel real estate is very precious, so I would not waste it for the USB charger, you already have one in your audio panel and if you need any additions, perhaps between the seats or behind a panel.

I've had a couple of people make this suggestion. Keeping it on the panel simplifies the wiring, but I'm open to alternatives. Does anyone have pictures of their USB chargers in alternate locations?

Originally Posted by Bavafa

- Maybe moving the ELT control closer to you than passenger.
- If you can swap the G5 and SDS, since G5 will be more useable for both sides and gets used more than the SDS.

I will look into both of these. The G5/SDS swap is particularly interesting & you are the first to suggest it.

[PilotjohnS]

My opinion is to leave the G5 where it is. If you have ever seen a G5 in real life, I think there is a lot of info in a tight spot. In addition, I will be using it only for a back up. If I am relying on the G5, my flight has gone to the pits, I am stressed, and I am doing things I dont practice often. In this case, the last thing I want to do is to be twisting my head looking at the G5, looking outside, and trying to troubleshoot; I want the G5 in a place that is easier to look and close enough to see all the symbology. JMHO