VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #1  
Old 12-24-2011, 07:57 AM
wjnmd wjnmd is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Ft Myers, FL
Posts: 276
Default Steam to glass transition

I am in the process of converting my steam gauges to all glass (Garmin GDU 370 & 375, GTN 650, GX Pilot AP, GTX 23 transponder) and would like to get some consensus regarding the transition process. I should also say that I plan to start my instrument training shortly after my panel is in. I am thinking that some time initially in something like a C-172 with a G1000 will serve the purpose of starting my training with an instructor and help me accustomed to a glass panel. How many hours roughly should I plan for familiarization with my new panel after flying behind a G1000? Does anybody have any other recommendations and/or cautions? Should I transition first and then start my IFR training?
__________________
Bill Near
RV-7A Flying
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-24-2011, 08:13 AM
jtrollin jtrollin is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Leesburg, va
Posts: 213
Default Transition

I found it very easy to move from steam to a g1000. I got my IFR behind all steam and transitioned to the g1000 with a few hours of sim time. I think the key is to not try and learn everything at once. Learn one thing, become proficient then move on. The glass cockpits offer some much with all the options they offer it will make your head spin if you try and do it all at once.

John


Quote:
Originally Posted by wjnmd View Post
I am in the process of converting my steam gauges to all glass (Garmin GDU 370 & 375, GTN 650, GX Pilot AP, GTX 23 transponder) and would like to get some consensus regarding the transition process. I should also say that I plan to start my instrument training shortly after my panel is in. I am thinking that some time initially in something like a C-172 with a G1000 will serve the purpose of starting my training with an instructor and help me accustomed to a glass panel. How many hours roughly should I plan for familiarization with my new panel after flying behind a G1000? Does anybody have any other recommendations and/or cautions? Should I transition first and then start my IFR training?
__________________
John - Leesburg VA
RV-10
http://websites.expercraft.com/jtrollin/
Phase 1 Complete
Vans Builder Number: 40923
798HJ Reserved
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-24-2011, 12:31 PM
pierre smith's Avatar
pierre smith pierre smith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,840
Default Hi Bill

We just went through this same training this morning, in my -10. I have a friend who's retired Navy, old A-6 pilot and is checking out in my -10.

He told me that what I have is waaay far more advanced than what he flew and even tho' my D-100/D-120 is old stuff now, he loves it and all the information it provides, so we sat in the cockpit for an hour and a half, with the battery minder connected.

That way, we could turn all the avionics on, including the 430 and with the training manual for the 'glass and also the 430, it was a pretty straight forward learning curve and without the demands of flying, went through all the screen combinations and VOR/GPS approach configurations as well.

This, after he studied the D-100 manual at home. We used all the buttons and discussed their various functions to his satisfaction, until he came away reasonably confident of his ability to use them well, but we'll do more.

I'd recommend a similar approach for anyone else transitioning to glass....add a battery minder and sit in the hangar.

Best,
__________________
Pierre Smith
RV-10, 510 TT
RV6A (Sojourner) 180 HP, Catto 3 Bl (502Hrs), gone...and already missed
Air Tractor AT 502B PT 6-15 Sold
Air Tractor 402 PT-6-20 Sold
EAA Flight Advisor/CFI/Tech Counselor
Louisville, Ga

It's never skill or craftsmanship that completes airplanes, it's the will to do so,
Patrick Kenny, EAA 275132


Dues gladly paid!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-24-2011, 12:42 PM
Mike S's Avatar
Mike S Mike S is offline
Senior Curmudgeon
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
Default Take a look at.

Paul Dye advised me about the guide the FAA has.

Lots of info there, will give you hours of reading

Sorry, I do not have the link anymore, but it is available as a PDF.

Google it......

FAA H 8083-6 Handbook.
__________________
Mike Starkey
VAF 909

Rv-10, N210LM.

Flying as of 12/4/2010

Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011

Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.

"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."

Last edited by Mike S : 12-24-2011 at 12:46 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-24-2011, 12:48 PM
N395V's Avatar
N395V N395V is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Mendon South Carolina
Posts: 1,391
Default

IMHO there is no simple answer to this question.

Not all pilots are the same ie: age experience, exposure to video representations of data, etc.

Not all EFIS's are created equal

It took me a lot of hours to get used to and comfortable flying behind an EFIS after 40 years of steam guages. It only took my son a few hours.

There is a huge gulf between using a relatively simple EFIS such as a Tru Trak and a very complex EFIS like a Dynon Skyview or Garmin G3X.

Ater several hundred hours behind a Blue Mountain I installed a G3X in my plane and 40 hrs later hadn't even scratched the surface of how to access all of it's information and features much less use it to it's fullest.

I think the answer to your question depends on your background, your predisposition and experience in using the graphic presentation and the complexity of the particular EFIS you select.
__________________



Milt Concannon
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-24-2011, 01:10 PM
Mike S's Avatar
Mike S Mike S is offline
Senior Curmudgeon
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by N395V View Post
IMHO there is no simple answer to this question.

Not all pilots are the same ie: age experience, exposure to video representations of data, etc.

Not all EFIS's are created equal

It took me a lot of hours to get used to and comfortable flying behind an EFIS after 40 years of steam guages. It only took my son a few hours.

There is a huge gulf between using a relatively simple EFIS such as a Tru Trak and a very complex EFIS like a Dynon Skyview or Garmin G3X.

Ater several hundred hours behind a Blue Mountain I installed a G3X in my plane and 40 hrs later hadn't even scratched the surface of how to access all of it's information and features much less use it to it's fullest.

I think the answer to your question depends on your background, your predisposition and experience in using the graphic presentation and the complexity of the particular EFIS you select.
Milt, you hit a home run with bases loaded on this one.

After a year of flying the 10, I still refer to the ROC, Altimeter, and Airspeed on my steam gauges as a natural reaction, the EFIS info is something I have to force myself to look at.

Luckily I have both in the panel
__________________
Mike Starkey
VAF 909

Rv-10, N210LM.

Flying as of 12/4/2010

Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011

Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.

"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."

Last edited by Mike S : 12-24-2011 at 01:19 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-24-2011, 01:11 PM
apkp777's Avatar
apkp777 apkp777 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 2,053
Default

It's a good idea to cover up any steam backups you might have. The transition will be much quicker if you avoid them. Generally speaking glass is pretty easy to transition to. I doubt you will have any trouble. Try avoid staring to long. That's a common error.
__________________
Tony Phillips
N524AP, RV 9 (tail wheel)
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-24-2011, 01:15 PM
RV8R999 RV8R999 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: na
Posts: 1,457
Default

If all you have is Glass then the transition will occur almost immediately
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-24-2011, 01:16 PM
Mike S's Avatar
Mike S Mike S is offline
Senior Curmudgeon
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by apkp777 View Post
It's a good idea to cover up any steam backups you might have. The transition will be much quicker if you avoid them.
Tony, I have thought about doing that, cover one at a time until I get used to the EFIS for that function, than add another etc.

All part of what Milt was talking about being a 40 year pilot, and not a video gamer.
__________________
Mike Starkey
VAF 909

Rv-10, N210LM.

Flying as of 12/4/2010

Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011

Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.

"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12-24-2011, 01:21 PM
Mike S's Avatar
Mike S Mike S is offline
Senior Curmudgeon
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
Default

Here is how I normally have the panel configured for cross country flight, as can be seen, one EFIS is used for engine monitoring, and the other EFIS is used as a map/heading device.

It is nice to have the steam gauges still providing the airspeed, altitude and ROC in this case. I do not need to flip/flop the left EFIS to get back to flight instruments.

__________________
Mike Starkey
VAF 909

Rv-10, N210LM.

Flying as of 12/4/2010

Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011

Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.

"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:47 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.