Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
Online Community of Zenith Builders and Flyers
Populating My Panel
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.
Comment
-
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.
-
-
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 keith bennett on April 23, 2014 at 2:10am
-
that's sweet, tidy, well organized and very professional looking..
New from Zenith:
Classified listing for buying or selling your Zenith building or flying related stuff...
Custom Instrument Panels
for your Zenith:
Custom instrument panels are now available directly from Zenith Aircraft Company exclusively for Zenith builders and owners. Pre-cut panel, Dynon and Garmin avionics, and more.
Zenith Homecoming Tee:
Flying On Your Own Wings:
A Complete Guide to Understanding Light Airplane Design, by Chris Heintz
Builder & Pilot Supplies:
Transition training:
Aircraft Spruce & Specialty for all your building and pilot supplies!
How to videos from HomebuiltHELP.com
Developed specifically for Zenith builders (by a builder) these videos on DVD are a great help in building your own kit plane by providing practical hands-on construction information. Visit HomebuiltHelp.com for the latest DVD titles.
© 2025 Created by Zenith.Aero.
Powered by
You need to be a member of Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers to add comments!
Join Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers