I'm in the planning stage of my build, and right now I'm trying to make a list of the things I want in my RV. One of them is what I want in the panel. Now I have two routes I can go. I can go with the standard steam panel, with digital engine minitor and an IFR radio stack. Or I could replace the steam gauges with glass gauges. However, I'm not sure how to make a glass cockpit IFR legal. I've heard that you have to have an attitude, pitch, and altitude indicator back up for this to be legal. I don't know how I'm going to do this on the limited space of an RV-8A panel. So, I guess what I am asking is what's the best way to solve the problem of an IFR glass cockpit?
Van's Air Force
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IFR glass cockpit
- Thread starter NCGAPilot
- Start date
Many, Many Options!
Greetings!
You are at a fun stage - getting to define your cockpit! There are many ways to build what you want, and I could write a lot of pages telling you all the details (but George will do that...
) - but alas, I'd be late for a simulator sessionthis morning... Suffice to say that when I priced a GRT EFIS driven by a GNS 430, versus a Steam Gauge with HSI panel (driven by a GNS 430), the cost came out as a wash. You can see my cockpit if you search the forums for "Ironflight", and that will show you that you most certainly CAN fit a useful IFR panel into an RV-8...
Good luck, and have fun!
Paul
Greetings!
You are at a fun stage - getting to define your cockpit! There are many ways to build what you want, and I could write a lot of pages telling you all the details (but George will do that...
) - but alas, I'd be late for a simulator sessionthis morning... Suffice to say that when I priced a GRT EFIS driven by a GNS 430, versus a Steam Gauge with HSI panel (driven by a GNS 430), the cost came out as a wash. You can see my cockpit if you search the forums for "Ironflight", and that will show you that you most certainly CAN fit a useful IFR panel into an RV-8...Good luck, and have fun!
Paul
tomcostanza
Well Known Member
Requirements
I'm never 100% sure about anything, but I think the altimeter must be TSO'd with no such requirements on the other 5 required flight instruments. Let me know what you decide. I'm having the same dilema.
Tom Costanza
7A Wings
I'm never 100% sure about anything, but I think the altimeter must be TSO'd with no such requirements on the other 5 required flight instruments. Let me know what you decide. I'm having the same dilema.
Tom Costanza
7A Wings
tomcostanza said:
Eh I'm leaning towards steam guages with a Garmin audio panel, GNS 430, Kings Com/Nav 2, and Garmin Transponder. With a digital engine monitor from Vans. Mainly because I like to keep things simple. Things are already complicated with me wanting an IFR panel. I'm a simple guy, and the simplier the better.
aadamson
Well Known Member
tomcostanza said:
There is no requirement for any TSO instruments in an experimental with one exception. For IFR enroute and approach GPS use, the GPS must be able to peform and meet TSO-C129a requirements. If a WAAS GPS, it must be able to perform and meet TSO-C145a/TSO-C146a requirements. Beyond that anything goes.
As for your second radio, I would *stay far away* from the King stuff. Do yourself a favor and look at the SL-30 from Garmin. It has some amazing features (oh, btw, the built in intercomm is *not* one of them).
EFIS are getting simple...
Just one note that might keep you looking...EFIS systems are really getting very simple from an installation standpoint. All of the boxes talk on serial data lines, and if you're installing a GNS 430, transponder, etc, you'll be doing those anyway. Meanwhile, you get rid of vacumn pumps and lines....
Go with what you're comfortable with, but you might be surprised by how easy these systems can be!
Paul
NCGAPilot said:
Just one note that might keep you looking...EFIS systems are really getting very simple from an installation standpoint. All of the boxes talk on serial data lines, and if you're installing a GNS 430, transponder, etc, you'll be doing those anyway. Meanwhile, you get rid of vacumn pumps and lines....
Go with what you're comfortable with, but you might be surprised by how easy these systems can be!
Paul
Who's EFIS?
I'm completely unbiased ....
I actually refuse to make recomendations to intelligent folks - I figure that the best can do is share my experience and help folks to ask good questions. My only experience with homebuilt EFIS systems (I have used some very advanced certified and aerospace systems) is with what I own - the GRT system - and I can tell you that I am extremely pleased with it's easy installation, capability, design, and philosophy. It is a reliable technology supported by people who are commited to maintaining that reliability (even at the expense of flash and glitz). My world revolves around reliable flight systems, and I am very satisfied with what I bought.
However - your requirements might be different! List what you are looking for - not just in features, but in an overall sense, to include cost, reliability, factory support, upgradeability, etc...and then compare the available products. And throw steam gauges in there as well! Don't worry about someone else's choice - you're goal is to come up with what is right for you!
Oh...for my money, GRT rocks!
Paul
I'm completely unbiased ....
I actually refuse to make recomendations to intelligent folks - I figure that the best can do is share my experience and help folks to ask good questions. My only experience with homebuilt EFIS systems (I have used some very advanced certified and aerospace systems) is with what I own - the GRT system - and I can tell you that I am extremely pleased with it's easy installation, capability, design, and philosophy. It is a reliable technology supported by people who are commited to maintaining that reliability (even at the expense of flash and glitz). My world revolves around reliable flight systems, and I am very satisfied with what I bought.
However - your requirements might be different! List what you are looking for - not just in features, but in an overall sense, to include cost, reliability, factory support, upgradeability, etc...and then compare the available products. And throw steam gauges in there as well! Don't worry about someone else's choice - you're goal is to come up with what is right for you!
Oh...for my money, GRT rocks!
Paul
First and foremost, I need an IFR panel. I guess what I'm looking for is a system that takes up the least amount of panel space, a display system that has my route shown on the attitude indicator (that way I don't have to keep on looking down to the GPS to see where I'm at. I also plan on installing an Autopilot from
TruTrak Flight System, Sorcerer. Traffic detection and weather are optional.
TruTrak Flight System, Sorcerer. Traffic detection and weather are optional.
mark manda
Well Known Member
don't forget the electric rudder trim installation. It will make IFR flying a whole lot easier, i assume. much easier to do at the early stage.
tomcostanza
Well Known Member
Told you so...
Right you are! I was referring to an article on EAA's website.
"Equipping a Homebuilt for IFR Operations"
http://members.eaa.org/home/homebuilders/faq/Equipping a Homebuilt for IFR operations.html
This is why I'm never 100% sure of anything.
So it seems that although we are required to have a sensitive altimeter, it doesn't need to be TSO'd, or accurate...or working.
Tom Costanza
7A Wings
Right you are! I was referring to an article on EAA's website.
"Equipping a Homebuilt for IFR Operations"
http://members.eaa.org/home/homebuilders/faq/Equipping a Homebuilt for IFR operations.html
This is why I'm never 100% sure of anything.
So it seems that although we are required to have a sensitive altimeter, it doesn't need to be TSO'd, or accurate...or working.
Tom Costanza
7A Wings
