GAD 27 and flap switch type

[Freemasm]

Not sure which category this would belong to.

Background = Have a GAD 27 for flap control. Trying to order/want an Infinity stick grip.

Question = With the "bump" to next and hold for manual positioning features of the GAD 27, my perception points me to an (on) - off -(on) flap switch. Not an option on the Infinity web site.

What have other done? Phone calls to the listed number on the web site get two rings and then dead air.

Thoughts?

 

[georgemohr]

I know this isn't really answering your question, but have you considered not putting this on the stick grip? In my opinion, the negatives are not worth the small convenience. We put a flap paddle switch on the panel right above the throttle, which is where your other hand will be anyway.

Edit: just providing a visual of our layout. It couldn't be easier to reach this switch with a finger while my right hand is on the throttle control (which it will be every time you operate the flaps)

 

[dmattmul]

Not sure which category this would belong to.

Background = Have a GAD 27 for flap control. Trying to order/want an Infinity stick grip.

Question = With the "bump" to next and hold for manual positioning features of the GAD 27, my perception points me to an (on) - off -(on) flap switch. Not an option on the Infinity web site.

What have other done? Phone calls to the listed number on the web site get two rings and then dead air.

Thoughts?

I'm 99% sure this is the correct switch to order.



I really like my switch on the stick, very natural to operate because your hand is probably right there. (Hopefully)



If you need to call Infinity try late afternoon, Cali time.

 

[elev666]

I find the Gad 27 is an amazing tool and I very much find the mini toggle momentary tumb switch on my infinity stick grip for my flaps definitely fits the mission, my attention from down wind until I’m in the flare is outside the plane with my hand on the power control,,,, kinda handy if you need to go-around , flaps fully retract with one motion

 

[mburch]

View attachment 119446

Thread drift, but just wanted to say: good job labeling all the controls on this stick grip! So often I see "mystery controls" - the purpose of which nobody but the builder has any way of determining...

 

[kbalch]

I'm 99% sure this is the correct switch to order.

View attachment 119445

I really like my switch on the stick, very natural to operate because your hand is probably right there. (Hopefully)

View attachment 119446

If you need to call Infinity try late afternoon, Cali time.

OK, how did you label the Infinity grip so neatly? Nicely done!!

 

[Flightmonster]

Not sure which category this would belong to.

Background = Have a GAD 27 for flap control. Trying to order/want an Infinity stick grip.

Question = With the "bump" to next and hold for manual positioning features of the GAD 27, my perception points me to an (on) - off -(on) flap switch. Not an option on the Infinity web site.

What have other done? Phone calls to the listed number on the web site get two rings and then dead air.

Thoughts?

I

Not sure which category this would belong to.

Background = Have a GAD 27 for flap control. Trying to order/want an Infinity stick grip.

Question = With the "bump" to next and hold for manual positioning features of the GAD 27, my perception points me to an (on) - off -(on) flap switch. Not an option on the Infinity web site.

What have other done? Phone calls to the listed number on the web site get two rings and then dead air.

Thoughts?

I used a togel switch type on mine and it works great. Flap operation is easy done by feel while keeping your head up in the patern. I used a Tosten military style grip. If you order through Midwest panel they can laser label the functions. Also customer service if fantastic with Tosten.

 

[dmattmul]

OK, how did you label the Infinity grip so neatly? Nicely done!!

I used rub on lettering from:

Platon Graphics - The Best Business Printing in Los Angeles since 1952

Platon Graphics business printing in Los Angeles since 1952 – FREE ESTIMATES - Business Printing in Los Angeles serving all of North America - Discounts for quantity orders - Franchise & Chain Store Experts

platongraphics.com

If you send them a PDF of what you want, they will print an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet and send to you. Once applied spray one coat of gloss clear and then one coat of matte. 2 coats of matte was too much orange peel. I tried to laser engrave them and just burnt the plastic so no joy. I did the ones for my 14 ~4 years ago and are holding up well. (500 hrs.) If in doubt of font size just use several fonts as there is plenty of room. (14 Ariel font primarily)

Edit: I used the Infinity grips that rotate, recommended to several friends and they love them. I did this for a sailplane I use to fly years ago and liked it.

 

[Richard Connell]

I know this isn't really answering your question, but have you considered not putting this on the stick grip? In my opinion, the negatives are not worth the small convenience. We put a flap paddle switch on the panel right above the throttle, which is where your other hand will be anyway.

Edit: just providing a visual of our layout. It couldn't be easier to reach this switch with a finger while my right hand is on the throttle control (which it will be every time you operate the flaps)

View attachment 119450

100% agree.
Question for those flying with flaps on the stick:

If you are actioning the flap with your stick thumb hand- how are you trimming coincidentally? Or are you flipping your thumb between two buttons on the stick for each stage? I can see this being either awkward (if you have position presets) or downright annoying while you put the plane out of trim with the same thumb you need to trim it.

When I’m deploying flaps with my right hand I’m simultaneously trimming with my left hand (trim on the stick). The aircraft is always perfectly in trim.

On the 7, the right hand did the throttle, the right thumb did the flaps and the left thumb retrimmed - like George’s - worked great.
It’s a very natural fluid sequence from late downwind.

On the 10 the flap switch is next to the quadrant so also easy to have one hand remain on the throttle/flaps while the stick retrims.

 

[georgemohr]

Richard makes good arguments. Here's some more. If you are going to put flaps on the pilot stick, will you also put it on the copilot's stick? Have you considered what would happen if a passenger bumped it at a critical moment before landing? (I can tell you that the number of times passengers have bumped the trim toggle and kicked off the AP is very much non-zero in my experience) Will you also have to add a copilot stick lockout toggle to prevent this? Have you looked at how the wires route under that stick base and thought about the failure modes there due to wear over time?

It's all a LOT of small negatives for one VERY small (IMO) positive, which is to say feeling like a HOTAS fighter jock pressing that button once or twice per flight.

Just food for thought, no choice is "bad" here.

 

[dmattmul]

Since this is up for discussion (Although thread drifting which, we never do) here is my rational and yes there is no "bad" choice. We all need to consider risk and reward and make a choice. Yes, it's possible someone sitting in the co-pilot seat could bump the controls on the stick. They might even push on the entire stick to cause a serious incident. It's possible. For stick grip controls it's easy to have a toggle disconnect that eliminates critical functions. I have this and only PTT is kept active unless someone next to me is a rated pilot.

To answer Richard's question (and a good one) for me flaps only need 3 one second "bumps" in the pattern (or less if a heavy cross wind) and if I need to go around 1 bump to bring them up. So yes, the thumb goes to the flap switch for a second and then back to trim. I have owned airframes that had it on the panel and would rather keep my hand on the throttle but again leaving the throttle for a second probably no different than leaving the trim for a second. One quickly learns to fly with their head not their hands.

Hopefully the OP was able to order the correct switch for flaps regardless of location.

 

[Freemasm]

Very quickly, thanks for all the input.

The infinity site seems to be a bit dated; no evidense it's been updated since the GAD 27 came out. No need for relays when utilizing such. Probably related and as originally stated. there's no (on) - off - (on) option for flap control.

Regarding flap control on the stick, I see this as more preference than anything else. Was going to put my starter engage on the throttle; enable somewhere else. The trim-transient flap conflict has never been a big deal to me but I can understand the preference. Still may opt for that.

In a perfect world, I could have a two position momentary toggle/depress down momentary toggle switch at my throttle-thumb position; the latter rated for 3amps intermittant. Flaps forward/back for up/down and press in for starter engage after enable. of course. Would free-up a throttle button for another discrete.

If Infinity never answers their quote request or phone, it won't matter; and "yesy" I've called at various later west coast hours.

Thx again.

 

[dmattmul]

Very quickly, thanks for all the input.

The infinity site seems to be a bit dated; no evidense it's been updated since the GAD 27 came out. No need for relays when utilizing such. Probably related and as originally stated. there's no (on) - off - (on) option for flap control.

Regarding flap control on the stick, I see this as more preference than anything else. Was going to put my starter engage on the throttle; enable somewhere else. The trim-transient flap conflict has never been a big deal to me but I can understand the preference. Still may opt for that.

In a perfect world, I could have a two position momentary toggle/depress down momentary toggle switch at my throttle-thumb position; the latter rated for 3amps intermittant. Flaps forward/back for up/down and press in for starter engage after enable. of course. Would free-up a throttle button for another discrete.

If Infinity never answers their quote request or phone, it won't matter; and "yesy" I've called at various later west coast hours.

Thx again.

I've ordered multiple stick grips from Infinity (And helped with several others) and they are not offering this option any longer? I think Matt stated earlier this would work for the GAD 27? (See check mark for the 5 grips I have personally ordered, also stated above) Used in VPX and GAD 27 installs.