Category: Avionics

Avionics Work

I’m slowly but surely getting all the avionics connected, and along the way, creating brackets and similar provisions for securing bulkhead connectors and wiring bundles. Here are a few photos showing how I created a plate that holds two circular connectors (TE CPC series 2) for passing most of...

Avionics Component Mounting

Over the last few weeks I’ve been splitting time between avionics and engine plumbing while I wait for some hardware to arrive. There are quite a few remote avionics boxes to mount, and I quickly determined I needed to create a few brackets to make more space. I am...

Instrument Panel Arrived

I’ve been fiddling with the instrument panel layout for at least 2 years now, but finally arrived at the final design. And thanks to the awesome team at Midwest Panel Builders, I now have the real thing in my garage! Steve at MWPB did a great job with the...

Aileron Trim Kit

It’s been a little bit since I posted, but there are a few exciting developments to share. First, I got word that my firewall forward kit arrived in Torrance CA last week and is on its way to me! This is the long-awaiting custom kit that will allow me...

Custom Overhead Console

I’ve created yet another custom piece of cabin tech, this time it’s an overhead light console. The panel has a dome light, swivel adjustable map lights, and red ambient light projectors. I used RGBW LEDs to allow the lights to be set to any color and brightness, adjusted using...

Update on Flaps Controller

I’m waiting on the circuit cards to come back from the fab, likely slightly delayed due to the holidays. In the interim, I worked on honing the process for painting and etching the fascia panel. My second iteration is looking better than the first, but I still need to...

Fabricating Flaps Controller

I shared the design concept for my custom flaps controller a few weeks ago, and I got some great feedback from other pilots & builders. I’ve taken that feedback and made a revision 1 of the hardware, to include: Stand-alone operation (no additional parts needed, connects directly to the...

Flaps Controller

I prefer controls that provide visual cues of their current setting. I have a minor in Human Factors from my undergraduate days, and one of my professors was quite passionate about aircraft. As a result, I really don’t like using up/down toggles that are so commonly used on experimental...

Latest IP Concept

I’ve been refining my instrument panel concept over the last week. One of my goals was to fit the Garmin G5 at top center, but its size disrupts placement of other components in the center between the two G3X screens. I’ve moved the G5 to the left edge of...

Garmin GPS Arrived

My Garmin GTN 650xi arrived this week, very fresh from the factory — all the paperwork was dated 8/25/2020! Great service from Steve and Adam at Midwest Panel Builders. They are an authorized Garmin dealer, and I highly recommend them for anything avionics related. As I discussed in a...