I installed an ADI in my Coupe and flew with it for the first time yesterday.
My first impression is FANTASTIC. I wish I could have one in the plane I fly
IFR. The thing I noticed that make it different from a conventional artificial
horizon is this...the pitch indicator first reacts to attitude change, like a
conventional instrument. But then...it indicates vertical speed, NOT PITCH
ATTITUDE. In other words, it the little airplane is above the horizon, YOU ARE
CLIMBING. This is not always true with a conventional instrument. For
example, if you were at 1700 RPM and trying to hold altitude, a conventional
instrument would show the little airplane way above the horizon line even
though you are not climbing.
Bottom line, if you were to lose all visibility, all you have to do with this
instrument in keep the little airplane on the horizon line with the wings level
and you will hold altitude and heading perfectly.
John, mine was installed with a 337. Justification is that there was no
artificial horizon required in the Ercoupe so this is a supplemental instrument
that increases safety. Some may consider this a gray area. How was yours done
and what is your IA's take on the matter?
Glen
From: John Craparo
Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2008 7:40 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: Bob Stearns ; Ercoupe Tech Forum
Subject: Re: [ercoupe-tech] Attitude Gyro
It performs almost the same way. It certainly functions as a normal gyro,
but it does not bank more than 45 degrees. So in a very steep bank, you will
not see a 60 degree indication. Pitch is just like a vacuum gyro instrument.
At 45 you get an LED warning that you are overbanking. It is fine for my use
as I fly VFR during the day in the Ercoupe... with no aerobatics. This device
also has a GPS so you have a bright visual display of track at all times. That
is nice since I do not have a directional gyro with a heading bug, just a
compass card.
Best,
John
On Feb 3, 2008 3:53 PM, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
John
1. Congrats on that beautifull panel!
2. So, does the ADI perform exactly the same function as a horizon, except
its electrical and with solid state gyros?
Eliacim
> Bob,
>
> I have attached a picture of the ADI installed in my panel. On the
> ground,
> I slide the other glovebox door over the GPS giving a nice retro look to
> the
> panel when on static display. The ADI is to the top right side of the
> GPS.
> I mention this because the unit is shallow and leaves room where others
> will
> not fit due to the fuselage fuel tank clearance. I forget how deep the
> ADI
> is with the wiring harness, but it clears the tank by about 1/4". I also
> have the battery backup option installed. When my first unit arrived, it
> made a clicking noise and would not cage itself (there is not manual
> caging
> mechanism). I called TruTrak and they sent me a replacement before
> removing
> the bad one. They sent the new one in less than a week. This saved me
> some
> time and money. The deinstall and install were done at the same time
> instead of two different operations. That was my A&P's idea and TruTrak
> went along with it. I strongly suggest that you bench test the instrument
> before installing it in the panel just in case it is DOI... dead on
> install. The one I have in the other plane gave me zero problems.
>
> Best,
> John
>
> On Feb 3, 2008 11:25 AM, John Craparo <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>> Bob,
>>
>> You may be referring to the ADI manufactured by TruTrack...
>>
>> http://www.trutrakflightsystems.com/instruments.htm
>>
>> They will supply the unit with a black and white face if you request it.
>> They do not advertise it as an option. Jim the owner of the company
>> makes
>> up the retro version by hand. I have two of these ADI in my planes and
>> like
>> them...
>>
>> John
>>
>> On Feb 3, 2008 11:09 AM, Bob Stearns <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>
>> > A few months back I found an electronic attitude gyro with a retro
>> > (black & white) face. Now I cannot find it. Does anyone know of this
>> unit? O
>> > maybe a suggestion for a dependable electronic AG?
>> >
>> > __________________________________________________________
>> > Be a better friend, newshound, and
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>> > http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
Glen
Glen Davis
917 297 1111
www.ishootpictures.com
www.ercoupepilot.com
