I'm going with steam gauges. I finally received my powder coated instrument panel from the paint shop recently. Some of the openings need to be "trimmed" to remove excess powder-coating so components again fit. Here's a pix of my partially populated panel. Top row are AOA (a DIY kit from Dave Barker (http://barkeraircraft.com/) and trim indicators, electric tac and hobbs. Next row include AS, VVI, altimeter, OT/OP, dual fuel tank, turn and slip "coordinator" and a blank cover. Those last two instruments are by Belite. Bottom row are for carb heat, mixture, throttle, elevator trim sw, flap sw, three cabin air controls, manual prime, over-voltage light, master sw, Start/mag sw, and the remaining toggle switches and CBs. Panel is divided into four removable sub-panels for easy servicing. After several months of tweaking the design, I sent it to George Race to cut the sub-panels for me.

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Comment by Bill Bear on April 23, 2014 at 4:41pm

Steven,

Thanks for the comments.  I ordered all instruments from Acft Spruce including the airspeed indicator.  It is a Falcon indicator made in China.  I used grasshopper nuts to secure instruments to the panel, but had to drill our the case mounting holes a small amount to allow the legs of the nuts expand enough to accept the mounting screws.  Also used a 6-32 tap to reduce the "squeeze" of the really tight fitting nuts.

Comment by Bill Bear on April 23, 2014 at 4:34pm

Keith and Cliff,

Thanks for the kind words.  I think it will work nicely for VFR.  I added the Belite Turn Coordinator so that I would have rudimentary "needle, ball, and airspeed" to allow a safe 180 degree turn if necessary when I need to get out of quickly deteriorating visibility.  I am planning a loop or "S" turn of wire cable to allow enough slack to ease those subpanels out enough to do maintenance if needed.  I also allowed enough slack in all control cables to do the same on the lower left subpanel.

Comment by Steven Ward on April 23, 2014 at 12:23pm
Hi Bill, nice looking panel, where did you get the airspeed indicater? I'm looking for a 1-120 mph marked like yours. Thanks
Comment by Cliff Stripling on April 23, 2014 at 9:42am

Bill,  Very nice and so much easier to work behind. Be sure to leave enough wire for the panels to be removed.  I had George do my data plate with the Zenith logo.

Comment by keith bennett on April 23, 2014 at 2:10am

that's sweet, tidy, well organized and very professional looking..  

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