Instrument Panel - Proposed Layout

[dothedr3w]

I agree, it is quite busy.

- If you already had an iPad, would you would you not provision your panel to be able to accept it?
- by the time you buy a Garmin g5 you might as well just add another full size g3x if you have the space since price difference isn't that much
- heated pitot. Might as well just have it in the first place for future proofing (my thoughts anyway). And there's certainly no downside besides weight and cost to having it, and if it saves your butt even once it will have been worth it.
- I think 3/4 extra modules in the middle from Dynon are pretty much unavoidable. I think they're all pretty much required except for the heading bug quick button piece.
- this panel could definitely be slimmed down a lot by choosing Garmin over Dynon, there's certainly no arguing that!
- I want engine monitoring to have its own dedicated screen, so why not install a screen that can also do more?

If weight/cost was no object, would you fill your panel up?

That looks like an overkill for a non transport category, VFR aircraft to me. I have flown airliners with way less stuff but that is just my personal opinion. Also how much weight is all that plus the wiring going to add? Lots of things to think about before buying anything.
Here is a simple, 100% functional design with a 2 channel autopilot. If I was going to fly IFR I would add a heated pitot tube and a standby Garmin G5 or a peanut gyro/airspeed combo and call it good.

DE52C8EB-8D00-43DE-92C5-0F69DA002DFC.jpg

[desertdave]

I agree, it is quite busy.

- If you already had an iPad, would you would you not provision your panel to be able to accept it?
- by the time you buy a Garmin g5 you might as well just add another full size g3x if you have the space since price difference isn't that much
- heated pitot. Might as well just have it in the first place for future proofing (my thoughts anyway). And there's certainly no downside besides weight and cost to having it, and if it saves your butt even once it will have been worth it.
- I think 3/4 extra modules in the middle from Dynon are pretty much unavoidable. I think they're all pretty much required except for the heading bug quick button piece.
- this panel could definitely be slimmed down a lot by choosing Garmin over Dynon, there's certainly no arguing that!
- I want engine monitoring to have its own dedicated screen, so why not install a screen that can also do more?

Sounds like you have your mind made up. I look forward to seeing the end results.

If weight/cost was no object, would you fill your panel up?

​Nope, I am a simple man with simple needs

[jiott]

I hear you Airlina, and I expected some differing comments, which is good. We all fly somewhat differently and our airplanes are not identical. It just turned out the way I described for me personally. I found that even major power changes require no trim change because when I increase power its because I want to climb and the nose naturally comes up just the right amount automatically. Conversely, when I pull power its because I want to descend and the nose drops just right for a normal descent without trim change. I also had an instructor who made it a point to teach me to fly with a bare minimum of adjustments thru the flight envelope. For instance, my takeoff trim setting was fine tuned so that that setting worked for takeoff with 1/2 flaps, climbout with flaps retracted, and needed very little if any adjustment for level cruise hands off. Actually even with perfect trim a Kitfox is not really a "hands off" cruising airplane for any length of time.

[dothedr3w]

I think I've been heeding everyone's advice as best as possible, and this is what I've come up with.

- iPad removed: there was definitely alot of screen up there, but I do like having a second so I kept the 7" HDX since it'll sync with everything else

- I like the extra modules that Dynon offers. Touch screen is unbeatable, but sometimes is nice not to have to access menus for everything. Some people like a clean panel, so I totally understand why people might disagree with this choice.

- EP912Sti has 2 ecu lanes, and 2 fuel pumps seems like an obvious choice, so that's why those each have 2 switches. The EP912STi comes with an 18A alternator, with a 32A bolt-on option. I've put 2 switches there to easily isolate them for checks during run up, or in operation, and they can be "stacked" if I want to run an AC inverter or some other high draw item (who knows!?)

- I'm with most people here in that a clean stick grip aside from PTT seems like the way to go, and trim next to the throttle seems like it might be handy. I've put a little lip on top to serve as a hand rest/guard for the trim. Thoughts?

- Starter is a momentary ON-OFF-ON, Master is a locking ON-OFF. As per Eric's advice, a radio and avionics master do seem like an unnecessary feature/single point of failure, so they've been removed. Yes, the buttons are still illuminated, but they'll be wired to have an independent power source which will be dimmable....if I cant make this happen, they will not be illuminated.

- Passenger reading light seemed like a nice idea since I took away their iPad

- Still undecided between Vertical Power VPX, and standard breakers/mini fuses

- You guys were right, this thing is definitely never going to be an IFR flyer, but I'm still hanging onto that pitot heat unless for now. Maybe someone can give me a nice alternative to take its place on the panel?

[Eric Page]

Starter is a momentary ON-OFF-ON...

What are the functions of the two ON positions of this switch?

How is ignition different from the ECU Lanes on this engine? Is the ignition system pilot-controlled separately from the Lanes?

Passenger reading light...

Located where shown, it will be pointed at the passenger's knees. You might consider mounting it to a small bracket in the overhead structure, and put it in the middle so either occupant can use it.

How much flying will be done at night with passengers who want to finish their book enroute?

[dothedr3w]

What are the functions of the two ON positions of this switch?

Start and start, so it works in either direction...for fun

How is ignition different from the ECU Lanes on this engine? Is the ignition system pilot-controlled separately from the Lanes?

I thought the ecu lanes each controlled the ignitions?

Locatee where shown, it will be pointed at the passenger's knees. You might consider mounting it to a small bracket in the overhead structure, and put it in the middle so either occupant can use it.

How much flying will be done at night with passengers who want to finish their book enroute?

I guess it's pretty obvious I'm just looking to spend money on useless **** eh?

[Eric Page]

Start and start, so it works in either direction...for fun

I thought the ecu lanes each controlled the ignitions?

OK, I assumed that since the start switch had more than one active position, it had some ignition-related function -- hence the question. I don't know how Edge's ECU works; you're probably right about the Lanes.

[rv9ralph]

I have been following this thread and have a few observations.

An Avionics Master is obsolete, everything will be on during engine startup to monitor engine. Modern avionics are not affected by low voltage at engine start.

What engine do you plan on? If it a Rotax 9xxiS, the you will need Lane A/Lane B lights, start power switch and I didn't see/notice fuel pumps.

[dothedr3w]

Planning on an edge performance ep912sti (basically a Rotax). I've got the 2 lanes titled as 'ECU', and the fuel pumps are just called 'FUEL'. It's my understanding that the Edge Performance doesn't require a 'start power' switch, I should get away with a normal starter switch running thru the Vertical Power PPS.

The generally consensus seems to be that avionics switch is obsolete, and I totally understand that sentiment; I went like 20 design iterations without one, but it somehow found its way back lol. I kind of like the idea of being able to power cycle the avionics without killing the master. For example, in flight and something is acting up, I can do the ol' turn it off and back on...if I'm out to lunch with this one I'm all ears!

[dothedr3w]

Ok, here we are at version 56! It took a while for everyone's advice to soak in, but I think we're getting close!