After much deliberation a few years scheming and brainstorming, I've finally collected all the components needed for an IFR panel upgrade and laid out full scale printouts on a fresh panel. Below I have taken pictures of the 2 configurations that I have come up with, considering aesthetics and functionality/ergonomics & human factors. I would like feedback on the two layouts concerning personal preference, required spacing between components for stiffness, rear panel bracing considerations, rear space interference with the 'Z bar,' and the best way to cut it out. As a note the 2 side panels will have switches for the mags, flaps, ignition, panel lighting rheostat and small annunciator panel which is not pictured.
The first layout I thought was most symmetrical in both the vertical and horizontal, but was really cramping the vertical space. What is the highest reccomended installation of standby instruments considering the 7/8'' or so mounting strip that spans the top of the panel? (ie do many cut into this strip?)
The second layout moves the engine information over to the left, near the throttles (against the convention, but maybe a good human factors thing) but would skew my crosscheck slightly. I think this layout is less symmetric and slightly less aesthetic but allows more space between the components for cutting, installation, and bracing.
I apologize for photo quality, they were taken from the phone and auto oriented themselves. As always I'm open to any suggestions and thanks for the feedback and advice.
The first layout I thought was most symmetrical in both the vertical and horizontal, but was really cramping the vertical space. What is the highest reccomended installation of standby instruments considering the 7/8'' or so mounting strip that spans the top of the panel? (ie do many cut into this strip?)
The second layout moves the engine information over to the left, near the throttles (against the convention, but maybe a good human factors thing) but would skew my crosscheck slightly. I think this layout is less symmetric and slightly less aesthetic but allows more space between the components for cutting, installation, and bracing.
I apologize for photo quality, they were taken from the phone and auto oriented themselves. As always I'm open to any suggestions and thanks for the feedback and advice.