I live close to the DC ADIZ and fly out of Frederick, Md and Winchester, Va, many times into Leesburg, VA which is in the ADIZ. I have a Garmin Pilot III which is no longer available unless you can get a used one on EBay. I placed a velcro strip on the top of the panel, another on the bottom of the unit and it rests perfectly on center top of the dash with the metal bar as a brace. I have downloaded from Garmin the latest updates which includes the new ADIZ boundaries as well as the Class B airspace.
I also have a Garmin 295 which I can use, sitting it on the center of the top panel, and use a portion of a Ram yoke mount to secure it to the center brace that runs from the top of the panel along the windshield to the top brace. Both work very well even with the bright light and glare which is always in the cockpit. In time I would like to have a panel installation but first things first. Just replaced my transponder ( used and found on AOPA classified) which is still under the dash on right side with the ICOM under the left side. At least for now I can navigate in the ADIZ, talk to the FAA and know everything is as it should be. This Winter we hope to redo the panel among other things and get everything in place. But for now we are just going to enjoy the upcoming great Fall flying. Jim N3439H 415C FDK ----- Original Message ----- From: eaaflyguy To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, August 22, 2008 2:56 PM Subject: [ercoupe-tech] Panel Planning Thoughts Panel Planning Thoughts. I purchased my 415-C a few months ago, and got through my medical, biannual, and an annual on the plane. now it is time to get the panel in order. My father and I upgraded a 1966 Cessna with a very modern panel. but it took 20 years to fund all the pieces! Hopefully I can move quicker with this one. The key is long term planning, so the panel does not need to be redone over and over as the parts are eventually funded. My 415-C has a Univair mod to push the panel out for a radio stack. 2 old Gyros with venturi's , No DG, no nav, a loooong icom com that barely fits the extended panel, and a older Cessna transponder. I gathered every picture I could from the internet, the Wausau convention, and Oshkosh to come up with ideas.. As much as I like the original two-glovebox and stripes layout, I am going for a modern light-sport panel (with all the gauges in a row) that is VFR, with the ability to go IFR later. If I can save weight, and go solid-state on items, even better. Pardon the long thread. but I would like to hear from the ercoupe guys experience with some of the gear I am thinking about.. Headsets / Intercom - I liked the headset hooks and built-in intercoms that mounted between the rear windows. These get in the way when they are on the dash or yokes.. Radios - The most popular location is underneath the original panel (which I don't like for inspections), or keep the claustrophobic bump- out in the panel. I am thinking about a Becker transponder and com with remote heads. I saw one or two pictures of them in panels, but I have not seen the mounting arrangement for the remotes in the baggage.. Gyros - I really wanted to save weight and drag and get a modern EFIS. but a certified install is not realistic yet. With 2 venturi's and panel depth in mind, It seems that the best combo is the short RC allen AH and DG, and a electric Turn and bank. RC allen has a prototype digital AH coming out soon which looks a little cheesy, but it is solid-state, certified, and would let me drop a venturi... Any other certified brands that will fit between the panel and the tank? GPS - Flying next to D.C. I know my way around well, but NEED TO KNOW where the ADIZ ring is at all times. I am not a big fan of external boxes clamped in an already tight space in front of the gauges or sitting on the dash. I had a panel mount in the 172, but it lacked a good map and depth was not a concern then. The airgizmo snap-ins are promising. the only drawback is cutting a non-standard panel hole for a gps that probably will be out-of date long before the next panel rebuild. I also have a tough customer (my father) who needs daylight readability. The little-bitty AV8OR had promise for least cutting, and the big AVMAP IV had promise for best screen. I'm still undecided. Engine Gauges - There actually are a few "EFIS" all digital gauges that are certified. I am only going to exclude them because I don't see the same weight/drag/reliability/cost benefits with standard gauges. The only unique engine gauge I am thinking about is a carb- ice detector. Thoughts?
