RV-8 panel

tadsargent · #1 03-25-2011, 07:55 AM

I am currently laying out the instrument panel and I am wondering why so many builders put the radios on the right side of the panel. Does it not make more sense to put it on the left to make an easy transition from the throttle to change freq's leaving your right hand on the stick. Forgetting about the autopilot flying at the moment. Is there something I am not considering?

Tad Sargent

cfiidon · #2 03-25-2011, 08:19 AM

Space is limited, but I'm giving a great deal of thought to that.
I have a Dynon D180, GNS430, SL30, GTX327, PS Eng Audio Panel. My plan is to put the D180 and GNS430 in the center and the rest on the left. I'm right handed, but as an instructor I've become comfortable using my left to tweak.

My latest version also has the AP74 and HS34 AP controls to the left of the D180. I'll have to be careful about space behind the panel, and that may dictate some placements.

Don

jthocker · #3 03-25-2011, 08:23 AM

Stripes,
Don't overthink this, put them on the left where they belong.......like I did!

Mutha

ctbecker · #4 03-25-2011, 08:53 AM

My radio stack (SL40, Transponder and 496) are on the left. I would rather not have to change hands on the stick at an inopportune moment.

Bubblehead · #5 03-25-2011, 08:53 AM

Some people put them on the right so you can operate the knobs with your right hand which for most of us is dominant and therefore has better control. To the right is also where all Cessna, Piper, Beech, RV-6, RV-7 drivers are used to them being.

The opposing logic says put them on the left so they can be operated with your left hand while keeping the right hand on the stick.

To each their own. My -8 came with radios on the right and I don't even notice it anymore. I just put the left hand on the stick and dial in the freq or code.

jclark · #6 03-25-2011, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tadsargent

I am currently laying out the instrument panel and I am wondering why so many builders put the radios on the right side of the panel. Does it not make more sense to put it on the left to make an easy transition from the throttle to change freq's leaving your right hand on the stick. Forgetting about the autopilot flying at the moment. Is there something I am not considering?

Tad Sargent

Need I say more?
:-)

Ironflight · #7 03-25-2011, 09:40 AM

Never-ending debate. Everyone is absolutely sure they are "Right" - no argument!

Do what works best for you if it is your airplane - but don't do what you THINK is best for you. Do some practice/simulation - stack the radios on you desk, sit down in front of them, and twiddle the knobs/push the buttons - try this with them on the left, and with them on the right.

Mine are on the right in the -8 because my tactile coordination is better with the right hand, and taking the hand off the stick (or swapping hands on the stick) for a moment is no big deal. But that's me.

In the -3, they are in the center - there is no room for "left" or "right". When I reach for the knobs on the G3X screens, I reach with the right, because that works best ... for me.

Paul

jclark · #8 03-25-2011, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironflight

Never-ending debate. Everyone is absolutely sure they are "Right" - no argument!

Do what works best for you if it is your airplane - but don't do what you THINK is best for you. Do some practice/simulation - stack the radios on you desk, sit down in front of them, and twiddle the knobs/push the buttons - try this with them on the left, and with them on the right.

Mine are on the right in the -8 because my tactile coordination is better with the right hand, and taking the hand off the stick (or swapping hands on the stick) for a moment is no big deal. But that's me.

In the -3, they are in the center - there is no room for "left" or "right". When I reach for the knobs on the G3X screens, I reach with the right, because that works best ... for me.

Paul

"Stripes" did not mention the "use case" for the plane.

"CB" .... we flight right next to each other.

RV8iator · #9 03-25-2011, 10:43 AM

Stripes,

If the airplane is trimmed up you won't even notice when you take your hand off the stick to change freq's.

Are you trimmed

scsmith · #10 03-25-2011, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubblehead

Some people put them on the right so you can operate the knobs with your right hand which for most of us is dominant and therefore has better control. To the right is also where all Cessna, Piper, Beech, RV-6, RV-7 drivers are used to them being.

The opposing logic says put them on the left so they can be operated with your left hand while keeping the right hand on the stick.

I originally sketched out my panel with the stack on the right. Feedback I got from others persuaded me to move it to the left. Now, when I fly, I find that I switch stick hands to operate the radio with my right hand because of the better fine-motor control, especially in a bit of turbulence. So I have the worst of both worlds, radios on the left, operated with right hand.

If I had it to do over again, I would put the stack on the right. And this is from a guy that is so hopelessly addicted to right-hand stick that when I flew my transition training with Mike Seager in the RV-7, I insisted on flying in the right seat so I could keep right hand on the stick. But for the times when I'm setting a txpr code or dialing a frequency or selecting stuff on the 396, I need the right hand there, and I can fly 'well enough' with the left for those short times.

YMMV