Let the Games Begin - Major Avionics and Interior Upgrade

[Gil Buettner]

Years ago, I was flying an ILS in bad weather at night at Erie, PA. When I entered the clouds I realized that the strobe lights were going to be a huge distraction. There were two toggle switches, one for the strobes, and next to it, the avionics master. I sure would have loved to know the avionics toggle operated differently than the strobe switch. Fortunately, I turned off the correct one.

[Terry Carraway]

Yeah, I know about those. I may consider them for the Avionics Master. Not sure which ones would benefit.

[Russell Holton]

Personal preference.

Easier to see the position. Feel better. Not plastic.

Ok. Something I forgot to mention is it's possible to get locking toggle switches. You have to pull them out to switch positions. I'm not aware of anything like that for rocker.

[Terry Carraway]

OK, down to the wire. I approved the panel layout. They will cut a plexi test panel to see that everything i3 going to work. Time is about 2 - 3 weeks. I have a 2 week cruise starting in a week, and it should be done just before I get back.

[Terry Carraway]

Personal preference or is there something behind that?

Personal preference.

Easier to see the position. Feel better. Not plastic.

[Russell Holton]

I was hoping to hear from Terry to see if I could learn some insight. Personally, I could argue it either way. Rockers would be more prone to getting bumped, but toggles with long levers can snag thing (straps, handles, etc.) Fragile toggles can have the handle broken off. Perhaps the biggest knock on rockers is the temptation to mount them side-by-side making in a single cutout making it hard to operate by feel (but looks cool).

I could see making a "language" by mixing the two. Perhaps rockers for "preference" (like cabin lighting), while toggles are for critical things. The idea is to make it easier to operate by feel and minimizing the opportunity for confusion. It wouldn't look as cool, but could be more functional.

[Ray Tackett]

IMO it's much easier to learn and work toggle switches without looking at them. Same way, I want my car's air and audio controls operable without looking. That rules out most modern cars for me.

[Scott Dyer HPN/NY]

Wiring is behind the switches.

[Russell Holton]

Update.
All the rocker switches have been converted to toggles.

Personal preference or is there something behind that?

[Scott Dyer HPN/NY]

It's progress, not to be knocked!

[Terry Carraway]

Update.

The long middle period where there are more and more wires is pretty much done. The wires have been bundled. Connectors are installed. Shop is working on the panel layout. All the rocker switches have been converted to toggles.

Yokes are covered in leather by the interior shop and got installed on Friday.

Once the panel layout is done, they will cut the panel, powder coat and etch. And then everything gets installed. A couple of weeks.

The problem is, in 2 weeks I will be on a 2 week cruise vacation. And then home for a week and off and running for a week. If all goes well, I can test fly and pick it up that week. Then more test flying once I get back.

[Terry Carraway]

I will have a G-5 for backup on the left panel also.

The 7" G3X is for engine data and for a pilot in the right seat. I am looking out for my safety pilots and other pilots who fly with me.

I was going to so some fancy custom annunciators, but crazy expensive. But it looks like I can use the stock annunciator panel, but repurpose some of the ones that will not be used to handle a few extra things. So Speed Brake light will move to the annunciator panel and add warning lights for pitot heat and prop heat.

[John O'Shaughnessy [FCM]]

I like the idea of the dual G3X units. We have a Garmin G5 as a backup to our 10" G3X.

[Terry Carraway]

Moving along, but the part where there is not a lot of visual difference from week to week. But all the wires are becoming harnesses with connectors and bundled.

May make a change in the plans to put a 7" G3X on the right side instead of the AERA 760. This would give a full PFD/MFD for a pilot in the right seat, plus a full screen for engine when I want. OTOH, the AERA 760 is fully self contained with its own AHRS, so can provide AI and nav, but only GPS track (not mag heading) and GPS altitude. And no engine display. But can put engine display on iPad running Garmin Pilot.

Any thoughts?

[Terry Carraway]

No progress this week. Tech has been out sick.

But still on track for mid to late March completion.