New Panel with ADSB Upgrade Opinions?

[dmat]

Hi All,

I have been toying with the idea of upgrading my panel when I go ADSB compliant.

I am cool with steam gauges as that's what I learned on.

So a mix of both steam and glass would be preferred to be IFR capable. (want to do get my IFR ticket in the 6a)

What does everyone have? Like?

Thanks,
D

[AndyRV7]

Man, I couldn't be happier to be rid of the analog stuff. Especially, the precessing directional!!

I thought the same thing as you when I was looking. I had all Skyhawk time for the most part and never felt I needed anything else in the panel. I'll make a bold statement and say you will never regret going digital. I have redundant instruments in the plane (both analog and digital). That's the way the builder thought it should look. And sadly I use the AS, VS and Altimeter in analog format because they directly surround my EFIS. I'd much rather have the EFIS only. At any rate, I fly the EFIS on map all the time anyway. Having a big moving map mounted in front of me instead of having a small, battery operated one stuck to a window or the yoke has been WONDERFUL! No cords or low batteries anymore. And by the time you do it, you will also benefit from real-time Wx and TFR's and traffic, and...

I love the plane I bought, but I haven't stopped tinkering with it, or wishing I could move some things around in the panel.

[dmat]

Hey Andy, thanks for the heads up. I would be open to full glass but man... does it scare me.

[GalinHdz]

FWIW I went full IFR glass (Dynon) back in 2013 and am so glad I did. Now I prefer it over steam. YMMV

[Carl Froehlich]

Originally Posted by GalinHdz

FWIW I went full IFR glass (Dynon) back in 2013 and am so glad I did. Now I prefer it over steam. YMMV

Same here - and I'm scared when flying a friend's RV-8 that has a full GPS IFR six pack. There is simply no comparison for situational awareness. The iPad I use in the RV-8 running ADS-B in is close to useless compared to the SkyView.

I do have an analog airspeed on the RV-10 panel along with the two 10" SkyView displays and tend to use that for take off and landing. I added it mainly because I had it and have the room.

Carl

[FORANE]

Speaking as one who has experienced an EFIS roll inverted at just 50 AGL in IMC on takeoff, I was glad to have some round instruments left in the panel. As a result of this, I stayed with a 6 inch EFIS and some round instruments when I upgraded the panel most recently. An EFIS brings much to the table but think about what you would do if it went T.U. like mine did. Some will add redundant glass, that works too. Personally I find an analog airspeed indicator easier to interpret with just a glance.

[airguy]

Originally Posted by GalinHdz

FWIW I went full IFR glass (Dynon) back in 2013 and am so glad I did. Now I prefer it over steam. YMMV

Another vote for it here. I fly a newer (but still steam) 172 as well as my all-glass Dynon 9A, and I don't have any trouble transitioning from one to the other but I MUCH prefer my glass panel.

[rleffler]

I'm in the glass camp too, but there are some questions you need to ask yourself, especially for IFR.

IFR means different things to different people. Are you just intending on popping up through the clouds to get on top, or are you prepared to fly for hours in IMC. How you answer some of these questions may be different depending on your answer.

Go through a self assessment of everything in the panel. Ask yourself the following questions.

• What would happen if this device/function stopping working?
• How would I know it stopped working?
• If there are more than two (i.e. ADAHRS), can you tell which one is the one that just went bad?
• What are all the potential failure modes that could happen?
• How would you handle each failure mode?

• Is there a manual process that will work?
• Will you need to provide some physical redundant backup? (i.e. a third device to break ties or perhaps analog gauges)

Also, I would recommend a autopilot for flying in IMV with a RV-6A. It's not a requirement, but it sure will make life easier if you are the only pilot.

Here's an example:

If you have a Skyview EFIS controlling the servos directly, what would you do if the PFD fails? Hand fly, so now your busier than a one arm paper hanger? Or install an independent AP head in which is all you have to do is push one button and it flews level on the current course and buys you plenty of think time and your hands are free to troubleshoot the issue at hand. There is no correct answer to this scenario and the odds of something going completely bad are slim. But I have seen an EFIS reboot automagically in flight. How would you handle that in IMC?

With that said, please be careful when you are planning redundancy in your panel. Its very easy to start installing an infinite level of redundancy making your panel more complex than it needs to be and perhaps adding more failure points.

[dmat]

My intent is to work on getting my IFR ticket in the 6a and then have the ability to fly more places without the major worry about VRF weather rules. I don't want or intend to be flying in IMC but want the ability to get out of it or fly above it with the knowledge that me and my ship can handle it.

[AndyRV7]

I have been enjoying my new autopilot all summer and feel modestly more comfortable having a safety option in case I need help in the clouds some day. But as it stands so far, I have not put myself anywhere near that situation yet.

I would love to get an instrument rating as well, but I would have to redo my entire panel (something I am not capable of at the moment). I hope to be able to retire someday and take myself off the "clock." That should solve most of my weather problems. But everyday until then, I'll have to play it safe on X/C trips...