Panel - Last Updated 2/16/2010  
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  Sat Jan 23 13:09:53 2010 - The avionics hole has been cut. Unfortunately, not all trays are the same width - especially the SL-40. I temporarily rearranged the trays so that the widest ones (PMA-8000B and GNS-430W - both are the same width) are on the top and bottom, respectively. This helps in positioning the rails laterally and helps validate that everything is still square. The rails are 3/4 x 3/4 x .063. I'm intentionally making the rails long in case I ever decide to add to the stack at a later point in time. I'm also debating whether to attach the rails with screws or rivets; I'm leaning towards screws if for no other reason than for future maintainability.  Sat Jan 23 08:50:04 2010 - Started the panel cutout process. I purchased a layout template and drill guide from Aircraft Spruce. The 2-1/4" holes were cut using a fly-cutter. It's interesting to note that not all 2-1/4" instruments are exactly 2-1/4". Some are slightly larger and others smaller. Some avionics manufactures include dimples in their trays for minimum spacing (usually .040"). Instead, I'm using the "popsicle" trick for spacing the trays. I used "jumbo" craft sticks that were 1/16" (.0625") thick. I taped the trays together so that I can make the appropriate marks in order to cut out the avionics hole.   Fri Aug 28 16:00:00 2009 - Getting pretty close to final. I still don't like where there the A/P source switch is.   Tue Aug 11 07:19:18 2009 - Another possibility. Still some tweaking.  Here's what I'm thinking for a panel setup. The EFIS is an AFS AF-4500. It's been announced but not yet for sale. Expectations are August (hopefully). I'm on the waiting list for November/December (per my request). The switch panel will be recessed by about 7/8" as I still want the bat handles to stick out a little but not to much. I've also decided to go for a TruTrak DigiFlight II (exact features not yet decided upon) for the autopilot since it offers a really good upgrade path to some really nice features. The 2-1/4" ADI is also a TruTrak product (although it is not listed on their www page, it does exist). To the right of that, an MGL Avionics airspeed and altimeter. The radio stack is a pretty standard Garmin setup. I also might need to extend the vent fillers - I'm still thinking on that as I'm definitely going with some nice black, all aluminum, vents from Stein. One's thing is for sure, panel layout an planning is not nearly as easy as I thought it would be.  
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Fri Aug 28 16:00:00 2009 - Getting pretty close to final. I still don't like where there the A/P source switch is.

Fri Aug 28 16:00:00 2009 - Getting pretty close to final. I still don't like where there the A/P source switch is.

Capture date : Fri Aug 28 16:00:00 2009

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