jliltd
Well Known Member
I am starting the process of a small makeover for my currently flying RV-3B. The list includes gear stiffeners, the new Rocket RV-3 small spring swiveling tailwheel and a complete panel makeover.
I am basically looking for a functional VFR panel with an autopilot for cross-countries when they come up. As many RV3 flyers know the 3 files as nice as a Supermarine Spitfire but this same sporty handling can be tedious on a long cross-country in turbulence. Every time I try to use the GPSMAP 696 located between my ankles forward of the control stick I end up doing barrel rolls while heading for Mexico. Hence the re-do with autopilot.
At OSH 2016 I procured a Garmin G5 backup EFIS with battery, two GSA 28 smart autopilot servos with generic bracket kits, a GMC 307 autopilot control panel and a Navworx ADS600-EXP ADSB UAT unit. I have an aera 660 portable GPS, GDL 39 3D ADS-B AHRS unit, a GTX 327 Mode C digital transponder and GTR 200 transceiver.
Here is a photo of the current panel (which shall eventually become the "before" shot):
Having gone through many iterations as elaborate as a G3X 7" display and IFR capability and other configurations I finally settled on the above equipment list. I intend to mount the GTX 327 on the right cockpit side cover where the current King KX-155 is located to keep it off the panel. A transponder is not an important item to have front and center. In fact I give transponders the bottom of the importance order for the pilot so may as well have it out of the way. I am also a privacy nut hence the Navworx UAT ADS-B unit controlled by the mode C GTX 327 for anonymous capability. Even if it costs more, doesn't allow my RV-3 to fly over 18,000 feet, or limits international flight, I am going UAT. Long live the Bill of Rights.
That being said here is a layout I have come up with taking into account the canopy frame bow overlap on the top of the panel:
I plan on re-using the 3 1/8" airspeed indicator and altimeter as I am still leery of putting all my eggs in the G5 basket. 2 1/4" instruments would be nice and more compact but I already have the 3 1/8" units.
Here is a quick and dirty rendering of the same I did:
I have posted a couple of schematics on the G5 thread but here is my latest preliminary schematic of my wiring based the above panel:
I am looking for comments from the RV3 crowd. Does this type of panel make sense for a VFR RV3? How about the placement of components from an ergonomic standpoint? Would it be worth the AMUs to s***can the analog instruments, the aera 660 and the CGR-30P (no gottie) and use everything else with a 7" G3X touch? I have that layout too. Having attended the excellent Garmin Experimental Avionics Seminar at Walt's shop at 52F this past weekend gave the above panel design pangs of inadequacy that has taken a couple of days to get over. But I *think* I am back on track.
Jim
P.S. I drug an RV-8 hangar mate of mine to the Garmin Seminar at Walts who was only interested in a couple of G5s to replace his old Blue Mountain junk. Prior to attending he insisted he wanted to stay with his steam gauges and legacy nav/coms. He ended up so impressed by Walt, his shop and the Garmin equipment he is throwing in 100%. He is already working with Walt and has accused me of tricking him into a glass panel intervention.
I am basically looking for a functional VFR panel with an autopilot for cross-countries when they come up. As many RV3 flyers know the 3 files as nice as a Supermarine Spitfire but this same sporty handling can be tedious on a long cross-country in turbulence. Every time I try to use the GPSMAP 696 located between my ankles forward of the control stick I end up doing barrel rolls while heading for Mexico. Hence the re-do with autopilot.
At OSH 2016 I procured a Garmin G5 backup EFIS with battery, two GSA 28 smart autopilot servos with generic bracket kits, a GMC 307 autopilot control panel and a Navworx ADS600-EXP ADSB UAT unit. I have an aera 660 portable GPS, GDL 39 3D ADS-B AHRS unit, a GTX 327 Mode C digital transponder and GTR 200 transceiver.
Here is a photo of the current panel (which shall eventually become the "before" shot):
Having gone through many iterations as elaborate as a G3X 7" display and IFR capability and other configurations I finally settled on the above equipment list. I intend to mount the GTX 327 on the right cockpit side cover where the current King KX-155 is located to keep it off the panel. A transponder is not an important item to have front and center. In fact I give transponders the bottom of the importance order for the pilot so may as well have it out of the way. I am also a privacy nut hence the Navworx UAT ADS-B unit controlled by the mode C GTX 327 for anonymous capability. Even if it costs more, doesn't allow my RV-3 to fly over 18,000 feet, or limits international flight, I am going UAT. Long live the Bill of Rights.
That being said here is a layout I have come up with taking into account the canopy frame bow overlap on the top of the panel:
I plan on re-using the 3 1/8" airspeed indicator and altimeter as I am still leery of putting all my eggs in the G5 basket. 2 1/4" instruments would be nice and more compact but I already have the 3 1/8" units.
Here is a quick and dirty rendering of the same I did:
I have posted a couple of schematics on the G5 thread but here is my latest preliminary schematic of my wiring based the above panel:
I am looking for comments from the RV3 crowd. Does this type of panel make sense for a VFR RV3? How about the placement of components from an ergonomic standpoint? Would it be worth the AMUs to s***can the analog instruments, the aera 660 and the CGR-30P (no gottie) and use everything else with a 7" G3X touch? I have that layout too. Having attended the excellent Garmin Experimental Avionics Seminar at Walt's shop at 52F this past weekend gave the above panel design pangs of inadequacy that has taken a couple of days to get over. But I *think* I am back on track.
Jim
P.S. I drug an RV-8 hangar mate of mine to the Garmin Seminar at Walts who was only interested in a couple of G5s to replace his old Blue Mountain junk. Prior to attending he insisted he wanted to stay with his steam gauges and legacy nav/coms. He ended up so impressed by Walt, his shop and the Garmin equipment he is throwing in 100%. He is already working with Walt and has accused me of tricking him into a glass panel intervention.
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