stick height & panel enlarge

[lucaperazzolli]

Hi, on my RV8 I need to lower my panel (7/8) to accept my instruments configuration.

Have you extended the 8 panel ?

Cut your stick ?

Please tell me your opinion and advices (photos welcome).

Thanks in advance

[ericwolf]

Hi Luke,

If it were me, I would do everything possible to keep the panel where it is because the stick is already a little too low and forward. My stick is cut so that it just barely clears the panel and it feels lower than I would like. Are you sure that you can't rearrange the instruments to fit in the standard panel?

Just my 0.02 Euros.

[lucaperazzolli]

It seems in the forum that a lot of people cut the rv8 stick just 1/2'' to clear the panel without problem, I've a little bit of confusion ....

[Kevin Horton]

Luca,

I strongly recommend you find a way to sit in a completed RV-8 before you decide to lower the bottom edge of the panel. Adjust the seat cushions so you are sitting at a height to give good visibility over the nose, put your feet on the rudder pedals, your hand on the stick, and move the controls through the full range. I suspect you will conclude that you would not want your hand any lower than it is.

[jthocker]

Luca,
I'm definitely with Kevin on this. You do not want to lower your instrument panel!
Also, I see on your website 2 panel layouts. The one with the SL40 on the lower right will not work. The radio is too long to place that low.
I suggest you not cut your panel until you have the trays for the SL40 and GTX 327. The SL40 rear tray will rest on the gear tower cross brace.
Then underneath it the 327 transponder will fit. The cutout for these to radios will be about 3 inches high and start at 1.75 inches from the bottom of the panel. Then your intercom and ELT will fit below the transponder as shown on the top panel picture.
Good Luck,

[Kevin Horton]

Luca,

I just looked at the two panel layouts on your web site. It looks like you could move everything up quite a bit, as the pictures show a lot of space between the tops of all the instruments and the fixed part of the panel.

Also, the hole that the Dynon D-10A needs is much smaller than its face (assuming you are not planning to flush mount it). You could probably move the tray for the hand held GPS much closer to the bottom of the D-10A.

Of course, perhaps the panel layouts on your site are out of date, and you have some other grand plans for your panel.

Good luck,

[lucaperazzolli]

Hi,

thanks a lot for your reply, it's really important to me seeing that.

Sorry, my website has an old layout, this is my cut (it's only a sample - I've a good friend with a water-jet).

This is a template @ 95%, big doubt on the extended height and relative stick cutting ........

Let me know your opinion

Thanks a lot in advance

[TerryWighs]

Luke,
I have a friend who built an RV-8, and successfully put a "S" curved bend back toward seat that really was nice. Allowed him to rest his hand/arm in his lap, was displaced aft from the panel, and did not conflict with movement. The vertical tip of the stick was approx. 4-6 inches displaced aft from original position. Sorry, I have no pictures.

[Mel]

Luke,
Don't you have the wrong ASI for an RV-8? Your markings seem to be the standard markings for the RV-3,4 & 6.

[Ted RV8]

I agree, you don't want to cut your stick any lower then you already have to for the stock dash. It's really low as it is, but you get used to it.

If you do feel you have to lower your dash for your configuration then go with an "S" bend stick like Terry mentions. I have not personally flown with one but have seen it. The pilot who flew the plane with the stick configured that way loved it. He sold that plane to a guy who moniters this site so maybe he'll chime in.

As I recall it was six inches back and six inches up. The other drawback to this method is... if you have a big belly it won't work!!

Ted