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  #1  
Old 04-30-2008, 10:24 PM
lostpilot28's Avatar
lostpilot28 lostpilot28 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 1,095
Default Instrument Panel Review (another one!)

OK, my turn...I'd appreciate any feedback you all may have. The top picture is the end product "down the road" when I can afford an autopilot and the 2nd EFIS. The lower pic looks asymmetrical but money dictates one EFIS for now.

I feel like I'm missing a switch or two...not sure, but should I add a switch to kill the Autopilot?. I'm using Bob's Z11 modified for dual P-Mags and the Plane Power's internal regulator. Everything runs off of either the Main, Endurance or Battery buss...there is no "avionics buss". Comments welcome.



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  #2  
Old 05-01-2008, 12:16 AM
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az_gila az_gila is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: 57AZ - NW Tucson area
Posts: 10,011
Smile Switches...

Sonny, minor point, but you might want to separate the Strobe/Nav Light switch into two switches.

There may be occasions where the strobe will reflect back and be annoying, but the nav lights should remain on....

On my Tiger the following is a required placard...

On instrument panel:
"CAUTION: FLASHING BEACON IN CLOUDS MAY CAUSE VISUAL DISORIENTATION."
"TURN OFF STROBE IN CLOUD, FOG, OR HAZE. TAXI WITH STROBE OFF."


gil A
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  #3  
Old 05-01-2008, 06:12 AM
PaigeHoffart PaigeHoffart is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 375
Default Redundancy

I'm a real fan of redundancy. I've got nothing against MGL products, but you're putting all of your eggs in one basket. I'd want at least a second airspeed indicator. Some people use GPS groundspeed as a emergency backup, but if your EFIS goes out, you lose that also. An airspeed indicator and altimeter would look great above your radio stack.

I just read that the new Icom radio has a built in VOX intercom, so that may be an option if you're trying to save some money and panel space. Of course, there are a lot of guys that like having a separate intercom also.

With Dynon's new autopilot feature, you may be able to replace both autopilot boxes and the second EFIS with a Dynon in the future. With two different brands of EFIS the likelihood of simultaneous failure due to software or hardware design is greatly reduced.

FWIW,
Paige
RV-8A
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  #4  
Old 05-01-2008, 07:12 AM
npowell npowell is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 114
Default Software?

I agree with the redundancy comments above.

May I ask what software you used to draw your panel? It dosen't look like EPanelbuilder.

Thanks,

Neal

roxandneal@aol.com

RV-9A
working on second wing
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  #5  
Old 05-01-2008, 07:57 AM
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smithhb smithhb is offline
 
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Location: Blue Ridge, Georgia
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by az_gila View Post
On my Tiger the following is a required placard...[/i]

gil A
Gil, Other than the Passenger Warning, what are, or where can I find the "required" placards for an RV-9?
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  #6  
Old 05-01-2008, 07:57 AM
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lostpilot28 lostpilot28 is offline
 
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Location: Boise, ID
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Default So far, so good...keep 'em coming...

Thanks guys. Gil, great suggestion regarding the Nav/Strobe switch.

Neal, I used Microsoft Visio. The cool thing about the downloaded cad file from Van's is that when you start adding pictures of instruments you can resize them to the correct proportional size because there's a measurement indicator for each picture.

OK, so about redundancy...I like redundancy, too. But the MGL units connect together as to give you a Master/Slave setup but if one fails then the other takes over as the Master. The only way to lose both would be for the AHRS module to **** out. Some guys spring for 2 of those, but I'm not one of them. I should also mention that I don't ever plan on flying "hard IFR".

Also, MGL is incorporating their own built-in autopilot just like Dynon. I really am becoming a fan of MGL's stuff, though because their product is very feature rich for the cost. Because each EFIS has it's own built in GPS, I can skip the handheld (when I've got 2 EFIS's, that is).

I don't (can't?) fly IFR yet, but when I do, then the 2nd EFIS and autopilot will be necessary (imho). I would also add a 2nd radio (SL30 probably) to get glideslope and use the A200 as the backup comm.

So, the single-EFIS-panel is just a daytime VFR panel until I get more cash. I do have a Lowrance Airmap 500 which I could use if I really needed to for Airspeed.
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Last edited by lostpilot28 : 05-01-2008 at 08:00 AM.
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  #7  
Old 05-01-2008, 08:51 AM
Nick Leonard Nick Leonard is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 34
Default A minor thing...

It look like a great panel that should meet your mission needs for a long time to come. I have a minor suggestion about separating the Carb Heat from the Cabin Heat. I know that there would be no confussion by the owner/pilot but we should always consider how logical the panel is to someone else who will be flying it for the first time. Having the Carh Heat and Flaps right around the throttle makes good sense but what is the rational for having an environmental control right next to a engine control? Obviously it looks good in balancing the panel layout but the Cabin Heat would look just as good on the far right side.

Okay, now everyone do what I do and separate the heat controls!

Have a great day,

Nick
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  #8  
Old 05-01-2008, 09:01 AM
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vlittle vlittle is offline
 
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Location: Victoria, Canada
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Default

I highly recommend some kind of traffic monitor device.

Up here in the Vancouver airspace, Nav Canada is now recommending these devices for all aircraft. I've flown with one for 4 years and it's truly an eye-opener.

Vern
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V e r n. ====
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  #9  
Old 05-01-2008, 09:12 AM
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lostpilot28 lostpilot28 is offline
 
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Location: Boise, ID
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by vlittle View Post
I highly recommend some kind of traffic monitor device.

Up here in the Vancouver airspace, Nav Canada is now recommending these devices for all aircraft. I've flown with one for 4 years and it's truly an eye-opener.

Vern
Hi Vern, I'd like to go that route when money permits...probably the Zaon unit. The cool thing with the MGL is that it interfaces to the Zaon and displays the traffic on the EFIS.

Nick, I know what you're saying...the 2 knobs should be separated. Any suggestions for a good location within reach of the pilot?
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  #10  
Old 05-01-2008, 09:25 AM
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GrayHawk GrayHawk is offline
 
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Location: TexaRado
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Default

My planned upgrade panel is similar to yours with space for 2 MGL Voyagers in the long run (one to start). Some differences are that I'm doing a modular panel approach with a center 'stack'. Initially in the center stack will be the backup GPS. That can go away later with the second EFIS. Also to the left of the 1st Voyager, I plan to have some basic backup instruments (ASI, ALT, etc). That's just my personal preference until I get 'comfortable' with the EFIS.
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