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Panel Designs!
Let's see your favorite panel designs!
I'm deep into this right now and am planning on the simplest and lightest install I can build!
I'm really loving the stuff that Levil is doing with the BOM and more specifically the iLevil 3 AW...paired with a new iPad Pro 12.9 (with mini LED screen hopefully) it should make an amazing, big, bright glass panel.
I have a probe for an LRI left over from a previous build so I'll add a DYI gauge as a backup. I'm also looking at using TQ radios. A bit cheaper than others and extremely light...and the GPS out on the Levil can be used as the position source for the ADS-B out on the transponder.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by JTC on
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Cool concept. I’m struggling with panel design between my sorting out wiring and equipment availability. Ordered a grt efis but they are apparently backlogged quite a bit due to component shortages as I understand. Have looked at the ilevel products a couple times and they seem really interesting (actually have the bom which I’m planning to use as backup). What turned you onto the TQ radio and transponder?
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Permalink Reply by Loren Warner on
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Don't know which aircraft your building, but if you've decided to add a BOM (which has AOA) as backup for the iLevil 3AW, why take up already limited panel space with an LRI gage?
In our 750 STOL, we use two mini iPads, and an iLevil 3AW as primary ADAHRS, and a BOM as backup. Our iLevil is hard wired to a GRT EIS, ELT, and a Trig 22 transponder w/ADSB-Out.
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I misread, thinking you were getting both. I agree that the added expense of a BOM is unnecessary, unless you desire to have a backup ADAHRS, which happens to have an AOA. In any event, I think you'll be pleased with the iLevil 3AW, if that's the direction you go.
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Permalink Reply by Jim and Amelia Isaacs on
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Old school day VFR analog except for the iFly740b. iPads are EFB tablets and best used as Hand held devices. They wont work mounted on the panel as a substitute for an aviation display. Can’t read it in bright sun and it will overheat and shut down on you.
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Our mini iPads work very well for us in the 750 STOL. They are easy to see, and have never shutdown due to high heat.
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Are your crews using them as handhelds or panel mounts?
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Permalink Reply by Bob Pustell on
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I share the nervousness over using an iPad as a primary display. Until the possibility (even a remote possibility) of auto shutdown due to temperature concerns is totally removed, they are not fit for prime time in my opinion. As a secondary display (where it is not life threatenign to have it quit) they are wonderful.
If one is willing to trust one's life to iPad primary displays, this guy's products look very interesting. He is using off the shelf components and his own software to tie them together and builidng full panels for remarkably little money. He has addressed the temperature concerns with his iPad mount, which has fan cooling of the critical parts of the iPad, but the chance of thermal shutdown is still there so I am out. However, if you like the iPad route, look at this...........
https://www.falkenavionics.com/flightview/
For the record, I have no personal or business relationship with the guy, I just think his work is cool..........
Bob
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You need to use whatever makes you comfortable, but your concerns about iPads may be a bit exaggerated.
Many have been using iPads for years, mini iPads in ours, without ever experiencing a thermal shutdown. If heat is a concern, just like with so many other electronic devices, then cooling fans may be used. Our mini iPads are mounted using Guardian Avionic mounts, with a fan built in to cool the back side of iPads, if desired.
I don't know of any ADAHRS system (Dynon, Grand Rapids, etc) that hasn't failed prematurely for one reason or another. So, what about the remote possibility they might fail?
With regards to your comment "As a secondary display (where it is not life threatening to have it quit) they are wonderful," if an iPad is being used as secondary, why then would you allow its reliability be any less than that of the primary? After all, the secondary may suddenly become a primary for any number of reasons.. Further, why would failure of any ADHRS system become life threatening when flying VFR? By the way, ours is also equipped to fly at night, and IFR if desired.
As a backup, if one of our iPad' fail, we have another iPad, and an iPhone. If our primary ADAHRS fails, we have the BOM. We also have a compass and an EIS which provides speed and altitude. If all else fails, we just fly by the seat of our pants, which is how most STOL are flown anyway.
If not to promote FlightView, I'm bewildered as to why you would speak against using iPads.
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Nope, not promoting FlightView. I just think his work is kinda cool and it fit into the discussion of using off the shelf tablet type computers for flight displays.
Sorry if you think my concern for having a primary display with known thermal limitations is exaggerated. It just feels "not good" to me so I will stay away from it. As you say, whatever makes you comfortable. I have heard enough anecdotal stories (both person to person and online) to keep me feeling nervous about use as a cockpit display. Plus, everyone talks about hot shutdowns - these things also shut down if they get too cold and I live in the hills of New Hampshire where we get quite cold sometimes.
I have had i-devices (not being used as cockpit displays) shut down on me for cold temperatures several times both on the ground and while airborne. Some of those cold induced shutdowns were in flight in the winter when trying to take a picture with an iPhone it quit in a cockpit in flight, for me. A friend in Texas has recounted hot weather auto shutdowns he experienced. That's enough evidence for me.
Please do not think I am trying to talk anyone into or out of using i-devices as cockpit displays. Each builder needs to review the available data on risks and benfits and make their own choice. One can make very good arguements for many choices along the range of possible conclusions. As Loren says, do what makes you comfortable. It's your plane and your fight environment.
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Permalink Reply by Walt Snyder on
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There seems to be a minimalist trend on panels, particularly for STOL and backcountry pilots. Mine is a minimalist, MGL Odyssey, MGL com (10.6 oz), MicroAir transponder, and a Garmin 796. I mounted the 796 on a RAM mount to the side for easy access in flight, (it does not block any view and is easy to handle with my left hand resting on my left knee) plus I remove it for flight planning etc. The panel box keeps my backup Garmin 496, my Icon handheld, and other stuff like led light, etc. My stick is HOTS, Hand On Throttle and Stick, and has trim, flaps, AP, PTT, etc. Just the basic stuff you need to fly a plane pretty much anywhere, except IFR.
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Here's an earlier tablet used on a Pietenpol, never had any glare or heating issues.
Walt
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That’s funny I don’t care who ya are!
Thanks for a good laugh Walt.
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