N941WR
Legacy Member
I recently flew an RV that was very well built, flew well, etc. However, the builder was more interested in making everything line up than worrying about switch placement and function.
For example, all the switches were standard toggle switches of the same size, lined up in a neat row with the same gap between them. Some did have colored rubber covers on them.
Right next to the master, on the left side of this side-by-side's panel, was the fuel pump switch. I could see someone accidentally turning off the master, powering down the avionics, while on approach when trying to turn on the fuel pump on a bumpy day.
The other gotcha is that hidden in that row of switches was the electric primer. Worse than accidentally turning off the master would be turning on the primer when trying to deploy the flaps because the switches were next to each other, flooding the engine.
When designing your panel, take into account what could happen, if you were to turn something on or off by mistake and don't place commonly used switches next to a flight critical swich.
I grouped my swiches by "phase of flight" and not function. Thus my interior lights are not close to my landing and taxi lights. My swiches are also laid out so for landing or takeoff, you just go down the row, turning them all on, left to right, and then put your hand on the throttle until you land. You can even toggle the flaps up and down without removing your hand from the throttle. (More details are available on my website.)
Remember, someone else may fly your plane and as an aid to them, logical switch placement is critical.
For example, all the switches were standard toggle switches of the same size, lined up in a neat row with the same gap between them. Some did have colored rubber covers on them.
Right next to the master, on the left side of this side-by-side's panel, was the fuel pump switch. I could see someone accidentally turning off the master, powering down the avionics, while on approach when trying to turn on the fuel pump on a bumpy day.
The other gotcha is that hidden in that row of switches was the electric primer. Worse than accidentally turning off the master would be turning on the primer when trying to deploy the flaps because the switches were next to each other, flooding the engine.
When designing your panel, take into account what could happen, if you were to turn something on or off by mistake and don't place commonly used switches next to a flight critical swich.
I grouped my swiches by "phase of flight" and not function. Thus my interior lights are not close to my landing and taxi lights. My swiches are also laid out so for landing or takeoff, you just go down the row, turning them all on, left to right, and then put your hand on the throttle until you land. You can even toggle the flaps up and down without removing your hand from the throttle. (More details are available on my website.)
Remember, someone else may fly your plane and as an aid to them, logical switch placement is critical.