Hi all,
I would like to add my experience. I find the parcel tray is very little
value, at least for the type of flying I have been doing. The challenge I
have with the factory panel is more around internal volume, in particular
its depth rather than the external area.
I had a tough time getting the Apollo GX60 comm/gps and SL70 transponder to
fit without hitting the firewall. Garmin 430's can be tough to fit in as
well.
To Frans point, fabricating your own isn't a big task. I recall Bob
Jacobson (no longer a Europa owner) reporting that is "home fabricated"
panel weighed 2 lbs less than the factory panel and he didn't use carbon
fiber. He also included internal cooling ducts and a couple of other neat
features.
As to weight savings. When I removed my "6 pack", pump, hoses and regulator
I weighted them and they came in at 14 pounds. My EFIS and backup
instruments came in at 6 pounds so I had a net saving of 8 pounds.
My primary instruments are a pair of GRT EFIS with a single AHRS. These
display my engine parameters as well.
My back up's are 2.25" instruments:
- Trutrack single axis auto pilot
- Trutrack ADI
- Winter ASI
- Mechanical Altimeter
- Dual / alternative buss electrical buss
I have about 300 hours on this new panel configuration including quite a bit
of IFR time in actual conditions. I have not had a problem with the EFIS
display getting its self confused, however I do keep my back up instruments
in my scan, and my auto pilot does not rely on any external system to keep
straight and level.
If I was to do this over again. I would only have a separate autopilot and
my primary + back up instruments would be a pair of EFIS with dual AHRS and
dual pitot / static systems. Although it is a bunch of work to make the two
separate systems agree, this setup offers a high level of redundancy.
So, I guess this is a long winded way of saying that I would build my own
panel, try not to stuff it too full of goodies and that I am fine with "All
glass" if sufficient thought is applied to failure & effects analysis.
Cheers, Paul
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