Years ago I replaced Van's kit RV-8 throttle quadrant with the new DJM Manufacturing's Deluxe Throttle quadrant. The improvement to the Doll's control panel was huge! When I first saw the Deluxe quad it had the Prop and Mixture levers bent over 90 degrees. On long cruise legs, I cross my feet in-front of the stick causing my left knee to lay against the side of the quadrant. I figured my knee would make undesired changes to the Prop and Mixture levers. I contacted Dayton and ask if he would just leave those two levers strait and I would bend them the way I want them. He ask how I wanted them. I requested they be bent at 45 degree angles with the mixture lever being just under the Prop lever, with both under the Throttle lever. When the Quadrant arrived, I was absolutely delighted with the beautiful manufacturing. The Prop and Mixture levers were perfectly placed as I requested. At Oshkosh, I had a dozen builders ask me where I got that beautiful Throttle Quadrant with the levers like I had them. I told them to contact Dayton Murdock at DJM mfg. inc. and ask for the "Danny King" Quadrant. I didn't know what else to call it!
Years later I attended the "Beer Fairy" RV gathering on the first Monday after the airshow at Oshkosh and ran in to Dayton. As we visited over a beer I mentioned I love my special throttle quadrant, and that it is almost perfect! Dayton ask how would I improve it? I said when I fly formation in the Doll, I have to set the friction tight so the mixture and prop levers will not creep when constantly jockeying the throttle during formation flight. Dayton said to check you mail when you get home! I did, and found a small box from DJM mfg. Inside was a dual friction Deluxe Throttle Quadrant. The engineering was simply beautiful. I installed it in the Doll with bran new control cables and once again the improvement to the Doll's control panel was Huge! I flew a 4-Ship formation and loved the free moving throttle. Small adjustments required to hold finger tip position became a breeze. After 24 years of flying the Doll, I was surprised how much easier managing the power had become.
I learned that the dual friction quad was not just better for formation, but everyday flying as well! After I adjust the Doll's power, mixture and prop, I lock both frictions down and relax for cruising flight. When it's time to descend, I release some friction on the throttle and reposition the mixture and prop as required without adjusting their friction. Once in the pattern I flip the throttle friction lever down releasing all the friction and once again the throttle moves freely in my hand for small adjustments flying the pattern or for a touch and go. I really love it!
If you haven't upgraded to the DJM mfg. Deluxe Throttle Quadrant, I highly recommend that you do! I bet you will love it as much as I have for years now. I also believe the Formation Dual Friction Model is more than worth the additional cost over the single friction models for all phases of flight!
Happy flying
Danny
Years later I attended the "Beer Fairy" RV gathering on the first Monday after the airshow at Oshkosh and ran in to Dayton. As we visited over a beer I mentioned I love my special throttle quadrant, and that it is almost perfect! Dayton ask how would I improve it? I said when I fly formation in the Doll, I have to set the friction tight so the mixture and prop levers will not creep when constantly jockeying the throttle during formation flight. Dayton said to check you mail when you get home! I did, and found a small box from DJM mfg. Inside was a dual friction Deluxe Throttle Quadrant. The engineering was simply beautiful. I installed it in the Doll with bran new control cables and once again the improvement to the Doll's control panel was Huge! I flew a 4-Ship formation and loved the free moving throttle. Small adjustments required to hold finger tip position became a breeze. After 24 years of flying the Doll, I was surprised how much easier managing the power had become.
I learned that the dual friction quad was not just better for formation, but everyday flying as well! After I adjust the Doll's power, mixture and prop, I lock both frictions down and relax for cruising flight. When it's time to descend, I release some friction on the throttle and reposition the mixture and prop as required without adjusting their friction. Once in the pattern I flip the throttle friction lever down releasing all the friction and once again the throttle moves freely in my hand for small adjustments flying the pattern or for a touch and go. I really love it!
If you haven't upgraded to the DJM mfg. Deluxe Throttle Quadrant, I highly recommend that you do! I bet you will love it as much as I have for years now. I also believe the Formation Dual Friction Model is more than worth the additional cost over the single friction models for all phases of flight!
Happy flying
Danny
Last edited:
....Though still in the building phase, I'd also like to make a plug for it. Clearly superior. My original t
