Keith Williams
Well Known Member
I have finished the fuselage kit and am waiting for the finish kit. While waiting I have been thinking about the panel. I plan to license the RV12 as EAB. I want to build it just once, with several changes from plans ? mostly things I have picked up here
My questions are about IFR. I am thinking of replacing the SL40 with a GPS/COM (GTN635 or GNC420W) and adding backups (Dynon D-6 and panel mounted handheld com).
I have been flying IFR (sort of) in an RV6 I finished in 1999. It has steam gauges, two nav/coms, IFR enroute GPS and Tru Trak autopilot. I say ?sort of? IFR because I have set high limits, basically using the rating to fly in marginal VFR and to get through cloud layers. That said, three questions:
1. I have zero experience with WAAS GPS operations. But would like to simplify things by just using waypoints, instead of figuring out where I am using the CDI/OBS, dials and needles. Do those of you with WAAS GPS experience see a problem with omitting the VOR receiver for the flying I have described?
2. Is a heated pitot really needed? I have one on the RV6 but the IFR Cherokee 140 I owned for 12 years before building the RV6 didn?t. Just wondering. I do not fly IMC in below freezing temps so ice is not an issue.
3. Would I need to make changes in the 912ULS? I am wondering what is different about the 912S which is certified and used in IFR aircraft.
4. Can someone point me to suggestions for a good way to mount the handheld com? My plan is to fly the EAB test hours with just the handheld before buying the IFR stuff. I want to get some experience in the 12 to see how I feel about IFR in it. (If IFR does not feel right I will just buy the SL40).
I really appreciate the help with the project you all have provided on this forum. Thanks in advance for any suggestions on these questions.
Keith W.
MIlan, IL
My questions are about IFR. I am thinking of replacing the SL40 with a GPS/COM (GTN635 or GNC420W) and adding backups (Dynon D-6 and panel mounted handheld com).
I have been flying IFR (sort of) in an RV6 I finished in 1999. It has steam gauges, two nav/coms, IFR enroute GPS and Tru Trak autopilot. I say ?sort of? IFR because I have set high limits, basically using the rating to fly in marginal VFR and to get through cloud layers. That said, three questions:
1. I have zero experience with WAAS GPS operations. But would like to simplify things by just using waypoints, instead of figuring out where I am using the CDI/OBS, dials and needles. Do those of you with WAAS GPS experience see a problem with omitting the VOR receiver for the flying I have described?
2. Is a heated pitot really needed? I have one on the RV6 but the IFR Cherokee 140 I owned for 12 years before building the RV6 didn?t. Just wondering. I do not fly IMC in below freezing temps so ice is not an issue.
3. Would I need to make changes in the 912ULS? I am wondering what is different about the 912S which is certified and used in IFR aircraft.
4. Can someone point me to suggestions for a good way to mount the handheld com? My plan is to fly the EAB test hours with just the handheld before buying the IFR stuff. I want to get some experience in the 12 to see how I feel about IFR in it. (If IFR does not feel right I will just buy the SL40).
I really appreciate the help with the project you all have provided on this forum. Thanks in advance for any suggestions on these questions.
Keith W.
MIlan, IL