Non-standard panel layout?

captainrichhill · #1 11-30-2011, 05:11 PM

First of all, I am just starting out my researching for a purchase of one of these fine RV's. I'm looking and reading hours everyday. I want to make the best most educated purchase I can. I think I want an RV6 or 7 and I've seen alot for sale (good for me).

However, I have noticed that there is very few with a standard "6 pack" set up for the flight instruments.

Is it because it is very difficult to set up this configuration? Or is the owner taking the liberties that a homebuild aircraft affords and putting the flight instruments in the "Easiest" configuration?

I think I would be more at home in an RV that has the "6 pack" configuration for the flight instruments and see myself reconfigureing the panel if I purchase one in a non "6 pack" configuration RVs,

A/S A/H ALT

T/C H/I VSI

This is what I am calling the standard "6 Pack" set-up...

Bob Kuykendall · #2 11-30-2011, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captainrichhill

Is it because it is very difficult to set up this configuration? ...

Every builder is different. But:

It's not difficult to do a standard "6-pack" layout. But these days it is not much more expensive, and in some cases it is actually cheaper, to install any of several glass displays. Those displays take the information you'd get from the standard steam gauges and display it in a manner that is more intuitive, easier to process, and harder to misinterpret.

turbo · #3 11-30-2011, 05:44 PM

take your time and you will find 'your' plane. an older one will have what you want.this is 1999 vintage.

captainrichhill · #4 11-30-2011, 05:54 PM

I was really refering to the individual instruments position relative to each other not steam vs. glass. I like the class panels but I don't think I can afford a full set up.

Mike S · #5 11-30-2011, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captainrichhill

First of all, I am just starting out my researching for a purchase of one of these fine RV's.

Well if you are starting down this road, you have come to the right place

Welcome aboard the good ship VAF.

Enjoy!!

Rick6a · #6 11-30-2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captainrichhill

......
However, I have noticed that there is very few with a standard "6 pack" set up for the flight instruments....

There may be few RV's sporting a traditional "6 pack" of flight instruments but as you can see, they do exist. When I was at the point in assembly I had to commit to an instrument panel layout around 2001-2002, affordable all glass panels were still promised but not yet available. Even if they were available, at that time few people had real operational experience with glass and given that glass had no track record to speak of, I felt more comfortable opting for traditional steam gauges. To this day, I have never regretted the decision.

BTW, that thinking changed by the time I built the -8 and decided an all-glass format with 2 backup steam gauges was the way to go. Example: that electric RC Allen AH fitted to my -6A goes for about $2200 all by itself. You can by a Dynon for less than that.

philip_g · #7 11-30-2011, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captainrichhill

I was really refering to the individual instruments position relative to each other not steam vs. glass. I like the class panels but I don't think I can afford a full set up.

I've noticed the same. Even some panels that remind me of the old scattergun panels on older airplanes. It's a mystery to me..
Guess I've figured the way I'll have to go is buy a VFR airplane, save up, and just swap out the steam gauges for a dynon set up.

Bruce · #8 11-30-2011, 06:12 PM

Or old school like this:

captainrichhill · #9 11-30-2011, 06:24 PM

WOW. That is a beautiful panel. Lucky you,

I currently fly glass at work and have for the past 15 years or so. I like the look of glass and all the information that can be displayed on glass.

Ironflight · #10 11-30-2011, 06:55 PM

It is both amazing and somewhat mystifying to look at panels at a large fly-in and see the "non-standard" approach that you mention. Then again, when you consider that a lot of folks are building as inexpensively as possible (laudable), and are building daytime, VFR airplanes, gyros are often omitted (Heck, Van's demonstrators rarely, if ever, have gyros). Leaving out the gyros seems odd and leads to retro layouts, akin to the days before GA airplanes had gyros.

At least, that's one possible explanation for you....

Paul