REFLECTOR: Panel layout opinions

Fri Jan 31 15:50:04 CST 2014

Don,

You attached a PDF file to your email. It had two panels shown. I like the second panel in the PDF file best for the layout. 

I have no trouble reaching over with my left hand to the center of he panel to drop the gear, does not interfere with my right hand flying the plane at all. 

Richard 

Sent from my iPhone 5 Classic

On Jan 31, 2014, at 4:41 PM, Don Johnston <numa at comcast.net> wrote:

>> I don't suppose those big screens could be turned vertical?
> Nope. Landscape only.
> 
>> Where is RPM shown?
> The engine data can be displayed on the either screen or the tablet.
> 
>> I like overhead switches.  You'll probably want to make your own panel to get more room overhead.
> I did make my own overhead switch panel. But I had to in order to keep the profile low.
> http://www.velocity-xl.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013-09-02-IMG_20130902_153545_057.jpg
> 
>> The indicator lights may be obscured by the eyebrow.
> No. I used the Terry Miles eyebrow philosophy. Which is that the eyebrow is aligned with the pilots eye so that you can see above and below it with almost no obstruction. 
> 
>> I would recommend the second panel on your PDF
> 
> Sorry, I don't know what this means.
> 
>> move the gear switch to the center of the panel at the lowest point.
> 
> I placed the gear selector where it is so that I can easily control with my non-flying hand. I didn't want to take my hand off the stick or have to reach across to retract the gear on a go-around.
> 
> 
>> On Fri, Jan 31, 2014 at 12:39 PM, Brian Michalk <michalk at awpi.com> wrote:
>> I don't suppose those big screens could be turned vertical?
>> 
>> I think both big screens side by side are fine.  The engine display off to the right will be easily seen.  Where is RPM shown?  You'll want to keep an eye on that, and MAP if you are turbo, and since they are used on takeoff should be close to right in front of you.  That's my biggest complaint with my setup.  I made the RPM gauge a small one.
>> 
>> I like overhead switches.  You'll probably want to make your own panel to get more room overhead.
>> 
>> I made my panel removable.  It takes about an hour to remove, and another hour to reinstall.  I've done this a dozen times since first flight.  I highly recommend it, but it will eat up some panel space for the flanges.  I used about three inches off each side that are attached to the fuselage, pretty much like your engine controls are.
>> 
>> There's probably not enough room for your gear indicator there.
>> 
>> The indicator lights may be obscured by the eyebrow.
>> 
>>> On 1/31/2014 12:00 PM, Don Johnston wrote:
>>> Originally, I was going to go with a pair of GRT screens with a traditional radio stack. But when the HXr came out that supported remote avionics and the ability to use a tablet as a secondary display, I switched to that (this is where not purchasing instrumentation and avionics until they're needed pays off!)
>>> 
>>> So the new plan was a single 10.4" screen with all remote avionics and a tablet (not permanently mounted) that would be used primarily for engine information.
>>> 
>>> But recently I discovered that a single screen wouldn't work because each device requires a serial port and there are only 8 ports per screen. So I've got to add a second screen just to get more ports. :-(
>>> 
>>> Now my problem is where to put the second screen (see attached).
>>> 
>>> I could mount the second display directly next to the primary screen.  This seems to be the most common layout. But           the backup EFIS (Dynon D1) would have to be mounted either           very low on the panel or way off to the right. 
>>> 
>>> The other alternative is to center it on the co-pilot side. This would allow the backup EFIS to be placed higher on the panel.  But the second EFIS would be basically unusable from the pilot seat (viewing or controlling).  On the other hand, if GRT doesn't come through with their IFR GPS and I have to use a Garmin 400W, at least I'll be able to mount it in the center of the panel. If I put the second screen adjacent to the primary screen, the only place to put a panel mount GPS would be out of reach from the pilot. 
>>> 
>>> What do y'all think?
>>> 
>>> Don
>>> 
>>> 
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>> 
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