Panel Design (Part 7)

Well, we have finished our panel design process with Aerotronics.  The whole process with them has been great!  From initially working with Andre for the panel design….to now working with Jason for the actual panel build.  Both of those guys have been awesome to work with.  When it’s time to build your panel, I would definitely recommend Aerotronics.  I’m kicking around the idea of build an RV-10 after the 14 is complete.  If I do, I will definitely use Aerotronics again for the panel.

So, here is the 7th and final iteration of our panel design…..

There were only a few changes from the previous #6 design.  We decided to swap the location of the HOBBS meter and Passenger Warning.  My wife is going to design a personalized Passenger Warning and this gives her more room to work with.  We are working on a design and I will post it on the blog when we get it finalized.  It won’t be to elaborate, but we just didn’t want the standard warning and something personalized.

We also decided to incorporate a switch for the “Wig Wag” function into a multi-positional switch for the “wig wag’s” and “landing light”.  I’m still planning on using the airspeed function on the GAD27 to control the wig wag’s via airspeed, but I still wanted a switch option for any reason I decided to operate the wig wag’s outside of the airspeed parameters.

Lastly, we are going to use the third GAD27 dimmer switch (far right) for the glareshield light.

That’s it.  The panel design is complete to our liking and Aerotronics has begun the building it…….

I will update this section as I get pictures/progress updates from Aerotronics.

Panel Design (Part 6)

Below is Panel Design #6 from Aerotronics (sent to us on June 7, 2021) with the following changes:

1.  All of the spaces were removed between the row of switches under the G3X

2.  Those switches were then centered between the left edge of the G3X and Flap switch

Panel Design (Part 5)

Below is Panel Design #5 from Aerotronics (sent to us on June 7, 2021) with the following changes:

1.  An “EFIS STANDBY BATTERY” switch was added to the left side of the panel with the “Mag” switches

2.  The yellow “EFIS BATT MASTER” switch was removed from the row of switches under the G3X

3.  All of the switches were equally spaced out under the G3X

4.  The “BATTERY MASTER” switch was renamed “MAIN BATT”

5.  The “ALT FIELD” switch was renamed “MAIN ALT”

Panel Design (Part 4)

Below is Panel Design #4 from Aerotronics (sent to us on June 2, 2021) with the following changes:

1.  An analog HOBBS meter was added to the right side of the panel

2.  The Seat Heater switches were moved to either side of the dimmer switches under the iPad mount

3.  Three guards were added to the Mag switches on the left side of the panel 

Panel Design (Part 3)

Below is Panel Design #3 from Aerotronics (sent to us on May 27, 2021) with the following changes:

1.  The USB was removed from the panel.  (We will have a USB between the seats from the stock version from Van’s)

2.  “Oil Cooler” knob was removed from the panel

3.  “Alternate Air” knob was put where the previous USB port was located 

4.  The “Passenger Warning” was moved to the right side of the panel

5.  The TO/Go Around button was moved next to the throttle on the bottom bracket

Panel Design (Part 2)

Here is Panel Design #2 Aerotronics sent to us on May 26, 2021.  The changes included:

1.  Moved the “ALT AIR” and “OIL  COOLER” knobs from the under panel bracket to the panel

2.  Added the “Seat Heater” switches to the panel

3.  Removed the “Standy EFIS Battery” switch and added a yellow rocker switch for this battery

4.  Moved the ELT status light from the right side of the panel to next to the Canopy Jettison Handle

We will study this updated panel and see what changes we would like to make.  More to follow.....

Panel Design (Part 1)

After researching avionics companies, reading reviews in the VAF Forums and talking face-to-face with several companies at Sun-N-Fun, we have decided to use Aerotronics to design, make and build our panel.  We spoke with Andre at Sun-N-Fun this year and started the process.

Initially, he emailed us a rather lengthy questionnaire to fill out regarding some of our needs/wants/must haves, etc.  From the information we provided, he came up with an initial quote (will most likely change a few times before the panel is complete) for the panel and started the design process for our panel.

This was the initial panel design they sent us on May 25, 2021.  The main parts of the panel will include:

10” Garmin G3X Touch (GDU 460)

Garmin G5 Backup EFIS

GSU 25 ADAHRS

GMC 507 Autopilot Controller 

Garmin GTN750xi

GTX 45 Remote Transponder (ADSB In & Out)

GTR20 Remote Comm

Guardian Avionics iPad Mount

GEA 24 EIS

ACK 406 ELT

.....and all the supporting equipment, switches, wiring, etc

From here, Andre says we can make as many changes to the panel design as we need to until we are satisfied.  They will likely start building our panel around October for a Decemeber-ish delivery.  So, we still have several months to finalize the design.  I will post more updates as me make updates with Aerotronics.