Glass Cockpit

One of my main wishes for this plane is that it has as many electronic devices as I can have. I have been an electronics design engineers for the past 30 years and learnt a  long time ago that the less moving parts you have in anything the better. There is always a place for some mechanical instrumentation and I will fit the minimum required as a last resort. Now I know there will be many that will not agree with my last statement but to each his own.

 

Modifications

The area that I expect I will have to work closely with the LAA for a modification is my autopilot. I will be talking to my LAA Inspector from day one about my idea's and hopefully we will be able to work through any issues to get these through.

 

So what is my wish list for my cockpit.

 

EFIS(Electronic Flight Information System)

used for both Pilot and Co-pilot each with their own screens.

It should have the possibility to display and monitor the following as a minimum:

 

Attitude

Altimeter

Airspeed

Vertical Speed

Direction Indicator

Gyro-Stabilized Magnetic Compass

Turn Coordinator/Ball

Rate of Turn

Angle of Attack

G-Meter

Clock

Aircraft Check lists.

 

EIS ((Engine information System)

Sometimes known as

EMS  / Engine Monitoring System)

 

 

An EIS which can be displayed at either position using a split screen mode. It should have the possibility to display and monitor the following as a minimum:

4

x

EGT

2

x

Fuel Levels

1

x

RPM

1

x

Manifold Pressure

1

x

Oil Temperature

1

x

Oil Pressure

1

x

Fuel Pressure

1

x

Fuel Flow

1

x

Coolant Temp

1

x

Carb Temp

1

x

Amp/Volts

2

x

General Purpose Analogue inputs for other measurements OAT + 1 other

2

x

digital   (Canopy, Landing Gear)

 

Autopilot

 

The autopilot should be capable of the following as a minimum:-

 

It should fit Standard 2.25" round Instrument Hole and have these features.

Track Selector

GPS Nav Mode

GPS Steering

Altitude Hold

Climb and Descend on Vertical Speed

Vertical GPS Steering

True Control Wheel Steering meaning that upon release of the control column switch, the system synchronizes to the direction of flight and vertical speed.

 

 

I have been playing with panel layout using EPanel Builder.com which is an excellent site.

 

This is the current version of my panel which still might change. It has everything the meets my requirements above.

Its has dual GRT Horizon I  displays, with a GNS430  , Tru-Trak autopilot,PS Engineering  Audio Panel, Garmin GTX330  Mode S transponder , Compass, ASI, Altimeter, VSI and a Constant Speed Propeller Controller.

 

 

The EIS4000 from Grand Rapids is fully configurable.

Here is a link to simulate screens you can configure http://www.my9a.com/EIS/ .

 

2nd. November 2006                                      

Just thought I would update this page with how the panel finally turned out.