Since it will be several months until I have an engine and battery, I decided to power up the Dynon D180 on my bench so I could learn the menu systems and work on the checklists.
I made up a dongle from Radio Shack D-Subs (1 female 25 pin and 1 female 9 pin) using the pin out assignments for the main power, main ground and PC data. This info is in the Installation Guide. For power I used my regulated 12VDC power supply that I have had around for car projects. They are also available from radio shack. Just to be sure, I contacted Dynon on their forum and described what I wanted to do and they said it was OK. I downloaded the Dynon Support software which interfaces with the D180 and lets you edit the checklists and various other functions. It all works rather easily.
Having had experience in rental planes with various GPSs and the Garmin G1000, I found that all of the capability of the EFIS systems can result in a lot of head down time trying to figure out menus and keys while in the air. I decided to become completely familiar with the D180 before flying it, especially in a new aircraft. It is not a G1000, but when coupled with the GPS it is an amazingly competent, and complex, system that qualifies the RV-12 as a Technically Advanced Aircraft. To achieve the additional safety that a TAA aircraft offers, pilots need to spend time learning the menus and softkeys. This can be accomplished in the comfort and safety of your workshop.
Tony
I made up a dongle from Radio Shack D-Subs (1 female 25 pin and 1 female 9 pin) using the pin out assignments for the main power, main ground and PC data. This info is in the Installation Guide. For power I used my regulated 12VDC power supply that I have had around for car projects. They are also available from radio shack. Just to be sure, I contacted Dynon on their forum and described what I wanted to do and they said it was OK. I downloaded the Dynon Support software which interfaces with the D180 and lets you edit the checklists and various other functions. It all works rather easily.
Having had experience in rental planes with various GPSs and the Garmin G1000, I found that all of the capability of the EFIS systems can result in a lot of head down time trying to figure out menus and keys while in the air. I decided to become completely familiar with the D180 before flying it, especially in a new aircraft. It is not a G1000, but when coupled with the GPS it is an amazingly competent, and complex, system that qualifies the RV-12 as a Technically Advanced Aircraft. To achieve the additional safety that a TAA aircraft offers, pilots need to spend time learning the menus and softkeys. This can be accomplished in the comfort and safety of your workshop.
Tony
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