Thinking of adding a 2nd G5 to the Rear cockpit of an RV-8

[Notso]

As the title implies - I'm considering adding a G5 to the Rear cockpit so the pax has a flight display to see and/or fly off of. I often fly with other pilots and while they can see my G5 over my shoulder - its not ideal to fly that way from the back seat. I don't want to add an entire extra EFIS display back there so I thought a G5 would be ideal due to its compact size.

Couple of questions.....

1) Does a 2nd G5 require its own magnetometer? Or can I tie into my existing one back in the tail?
2) Is it possible to tie into the pitot/static lines? Or do new ones need to be run?
3). Has anyone done a similar install like this in the back of an RV-4/8. My plan was to mount it to the back of my seat or to the roll bar itself. Any tips, tricks, lessons learned??

 

[climberrn]

The Garmin products communicate on the CAN BUS. They share information among themselves. You can T into the Pitot and Static lines for additional devices.

 

[Carlos151]

As the title implies - I'm considering adding a G5 to the Rear cockpit so the pax has a flight display to see and/or fly off of. I often fly with other pilots and while they can see my G5 over my shoulder - its not ideal to fly that way from the back seat. I don't want to add an entire extra EFIS display back there so I thought a G5 would be ideal due to its compact size.

Couple of questions.....

1) Does a 2nd G5 require its own magnetometer? Or can I tie into my existing one back in the tail?
2) Is it possible to tie into the pitot/static lines? Or do new ones need to be run?
3). Has anyone done a similar install like this in the back of an RV-4/8. My plan was to mount it to the back of my seat or to the roll bar itself. Any tips, tricks, lessons learned??

1. Per the G5 install manual page 1-3, the external magnetometer is optional. I've got a G5 installed as a backup PFD, no external magnetometer installed. Just realize it will give you GPS track instead of magnetic heading. No big deal for a rear seat display or standby PFD IMHO. Never had it tumble at all during aerobatics.
2. It's possible to tie in to your pitot static system but it's going to take some creative routing. Most RV8 static lines are under the left or right canopy rail although some are under the floorboards. Your pitot and AOA lines will typically come into the fuselage at the wing route under the floor boards. It all depends on how you installed them. Are your floorboards riveted in or did you install nutplates for screws when building? In addition to pitot/static lines, you'll have to provide power to the unit which will likely be the easiest part of the installation. Of course you can get them with a battery backup but then you'll have to figure out how to charge it. There's also considerable depth to the unit that will force the display closer to your passenger's face.
3. Have you considered a simple phone/iPad app? There's several listed on the App Store with good reviews. E-AFIS is one of them; looks nice (not associated with them at all). With all the internal sensors on phones and iPads these days, this would be your cheapest and easiest solution. I use Airmate to update my Dynon charts and their app has a very basic PFD. Attitude, GPS airspeed, GPS altitude. Disclaimer, I've never had my pax use any of these. Most of the time they use the big attitude indicator on the horizon
All boils down to how much information you want displayed in the back.

 

[Scott Chastain]

I would put an Aera 760 there instead of a G5. The PIC is front and center anyway where the backup is really needed. The 760 has so many more features to enjoy if you're the GIB, and the device itself is certainly not nearly as dependent as the G5 for proper installation. It's portable, so you can yank it out anytime.

 

[mburch]

For completeness: What other avionics are already in the plane?

 

[olyolson]

You might consider an Aera 660. You can run it on battery power, wire it into the plane or use a power outlet. I mounted one with a plug in cigarette style power plug mount since there was an outlet already in the back seat. It gets its Adhars and ADSB wx/traffic via BT from my GDL-39 3D. No pitot static lines to run as it uses GPS derived A/S & Alt but close enough for the back seater.

aera 660 Aviation Mount, with Power Cable and Audio Jack

aera 660 Aviation Mount, with Power Cable and Audio Jack, from Garmin

www.chiefaircraft.com

 

[climberrn]

Totally agree with adding an Area or equivalent in the back. In reference to Karls post about difficulty running the Pitot Static lines, the 1/8” lines are great for that purpose. Much easier to run. My AHRS is behind the baggage area. When adding a backup G5 to the flying airplane, I used the 1/8” lines. Because they work on slight changes in pressure and not flow, there is very little delay.

 

[johntwilcox]

I “think” G3 can remote screen/info to Garmin pilot on iPad. That would be a nicer fit in an 8back seat, and well as be used for movies other by back seater

Even ForeFlight on iPad is probaly more than enough for back seat pilot, as you won’t be trying to shoot an approach and land back there

 

[msires]

As the title implies - I'm considering adding a G5 to the Rear cockpit so the pax has a flight display to see and/or fly off of. I often fly with other pilots and while they can see my G5 over my shoulder - its not ideal to fly that way from the back seat. I don't want to add an entire extra EFIS display back there so I thought a G5 would be ideal due to its compact size.

Couple of questions.....

1) Does a 2nd G5 require its own magnetometer? Or can I tie into my existing one back in the tail?
2) Is it possible to tie into the pitot/static lines? Or do new ones need to be run?
3). Has anyone done a similar install like this in the back of an RV-4/8. My plan was to mount it to the back of my seat or to the roll bar itself. Any tips, tricks, lessons learned??

The magnetometer is also on the CAN bus, one magnetometer can serve multiple G5's.

 

[Notso]

For completeness: What other avionics are already in the plane?

G3X
G5
GNX-175 375
2x Garmin 200 radios (1 panel mount, 1 remote)
-507 AP controller
GMA-245 Audio panel

 

[Notso]

I “think” G3 can remote screen/info to Garmin pilot on iPad. That would be a nicer fit in an 8back seat, and well as be used for movies other by back seater

Even ForeFlight on iPad is probaly more than enough for back seat pilot, as you won’t be trying to shoot an approach and land back there

Oh really??? So an iPad just becomes a mirror of the G3X?? That would be the ideal solution, if so. I'm going to have to investigate that - thanks!!

 

[mburch]

View attachment 109771

With this info, I would echo the suggestions above to look into iPad apps, or an aera 660/760, all of which should integrate pretty well with your panel.

 

[Longez]

View attachment 109771

G3X
G5
GNX-175
2x Garmin 200 radios (1 panel mount, 1 remote)
-507 AP controller
GMA-245 Audio panel

Nice panel! How does your GDU 460 receive traffic and weather?

I have an Aera 660 mounted in the back seat for the passenger. It receives traffic and weather over Bluetooth from the GDL 52R (or the GNX 375). I can quickly remove it from the snap-in mount when no one is back there.

The Aera 660 mount is wired into aircraft power so you never have to worry about the battery running down.

Steve

 

[nitrohog]

I went with an iPad and Garmin Pilot in the rear. It's likely more info than most PAX want or need and it will display adahrs data, engine info, traffic, synthetic vision, etc from the G3X touch if equipped. Plus you don't have to mess with pitot/ static.

 

[Notso]

Nice panel! How does your GDU 460 receive traffic and weather?

Sorry, I mistyped. I have the -375.

 

[Notso]

I went with an iPad and Garmin Pilot in the rear. It's likely more info than most PAX want or need and it will display adahrs data, engine info, traffic, synthetic vision, etc from the G3X touch if equipped. Plus you don't have to mess with pitot/ static.

Do you have to have a Garmin Pilot subscription to make this work?

 

[nitrohog]

Do you have to have a Garmin Pilot subscription to make this work?

Yes you do.

 

[Webb]

Consider a Aera796. Can get ADAHRS via bluetooth so no wiring or pitot/static involved except for power. Lot more bang for the buck than a G5. I ran my power cord thru the seat back support. Bought a cradle and mounted it to the seat back support.