Panel planning - part uno

[Walt]

Originally Posted by 49clipper

Walt,
Excuse my ignorance, but that is the screen in the middle. I do not recognize it.

It's the GTN750!

[nilberg]

Originally Posted by Walt

An RV7 I did for a customer, VFR but provisions for a GTN650 by removing one of the com's.
Some ideas on back up, switch positions etc.., take it or leave it.
I would also recommend you try to avoid extending the bottom of the panel, makes getting in and out more difficult and your longer legged passengers will have leg room issues.

A very neat setup. Very clear an uncluttered.
Would it be possible to see a higher resolution picture ? I have a hard time with some of the labels.

[Walt]

Originally Posted by nilberg

A very neat setup. Very clear an uncluttered.
Would it be possible to see a higher resolution picture ? I have a hard time with some of the labels.

I have the hi-res pics on my desk top, I'll see if I can upload one to smugmug when I get home.

[mjanduda]

Why do you not use remote radios but radios with a display?

[mjanduda]

Originally Posted by Walt

Here's the one I did for my brother. The AS indicator has since been replaced with the G5. Budget gets a little steep for this one, figure around 50K (15K labor) installed with all the goodies

Really like this setup! Especially with a G5 as backup!
Maybe I'd put the autopilot control panel on top and even push it half an inch more up. But not sure about that.

[n981ms]

Certainly not a must but I like the flap switch where I can use it with my hand on the throttle. Therefore I would put it on the left and the fuel pump switch on the right. The reach would not be quite as awkward.

[jjbardell]

Originally Posted by mjanduda

Why do you not use remote radios but radios with a display?

Personally, I like panel mount because the displays are generally larger, show more info (airport code, tower, app, etc.), etc.

[jjbardell]

Originally Posted by n981ms

Certainly not a must but I like the flap switch where I can use it with my hand on the throttle. Therefore I would put it on the left and the fuel pump switch on the right. The reach would not be quite as awkward.

Great callout. Thanks!

[jjbardell]

Ed, great comments. I have rearranged the panel based on your input and went through my checklist. I will review my checklists again to ensure they capture all of my motions nicely. Very insightful, thanks.

Originally Posted by Ed_Wischmeyer

Looks pretty good, but you may have fallen prey to the common mistake of designing the panel for engine start. When you're starting the engine, you've got all kinds of time, but when you're in the air, you can get busy and want to find the correct switch right now!

The one specific point is the fuel pump. You'll want it for engine start, sure, but you'll probably turn it off after takeoff and back on before landing. If that's how you plan to use it, don't bury it in the middle of the pack.

Another good exercise is to write up all of your checklists and then run them against your panel layout. Ideally, things should flow, so things get operated in a smooth pattern, not jumping back and forth. Boeing jets have really good flow, Gulfstream jets are at the other end of the spectrum.

My RV-8 has a neat feature (I bought the plane, didn't do the panel). The flap and fuel pump switches are adjacent to each other on the left side, with no other switches around. Handy for landing and for after landing.

Enjoy!

Ed

[mjanduda]

Originally Posted by jjbardell

Personally, I like panel mount because the displays are generally larger, show more info (airport code, tower, app, etc.), etc.

The G3X should show the airport code under the frequency.