Bambas Family Website

11/14/15

 

 

 

On our home computer I set up X-Panel planing software and started designing the instrument and switch layout.

The Garmin G3X system was selected for several reasons:

1. I had three Garmin instruments in my Globe Swift: a G400W navigator, a G695 moving map and a SL40 communications radio.  The Garmin menu system was familiar.
2. At two airshows I had the opportunity to compare Garmin equipment with Dynon and Grand Rapids.  I thought Garmin had better  screen colors and pixilation.  Also at the time, Garmin had the only system with full IFR capability not requiring components from other vendors.
3. There appeared to be little cost difference between vendors when pricing similar IFR systems.

11/15/15

Started ordering switches and other electronic components.  I have found the DigiKey online catalog the easiest to navigate when hunting for parts by function and feature, rather than part number.  I also started downloading and printing over 1100 pages of Garmin installation and operations manuals. Continue reading “RV-7 IFR Panel Build Photos – 2015/16”

June 2015

This is the picture story of the summer’s work on our RV-7.  Something was done every day, and pictures were taken only to supplement the daily handwritten log.  This is not an instruction manual as there were many, many steps in between those illustrated here.

As noted in our status report, the RV-7 Quickbuild Wings and Fuselage arrived in Michigan on June 4th.  They were delivered to Dalton Airport (3DA) in Flushing, trailered to our shop, and the wings set into cradles with the help of friends from EAA Chapter 77.

      

Dolly and I had fun uncrating and unpacking.

It was exciting to be introduced to our next airplane.

---

Into the shop it goes. Continue reading “A Summer of Progress – 2015”

Some people call them “Idiot Lights”, lights that are on under some condition, and off when that condition is not present.  Pilots may have strong opinions on whether or not they are useful.  Many state that most annunciator functions can now be implemented through the glass panel displays that many of us are installing, and therefore an annunciator panel is just adding  unnecessary complexity.

If forgetting to turn off a fuel boost pump after takeoff, or not remembering to turn on strobe lights before starting the engine makes one an idiot, then count me in.  Our RV-7 is going to have an annunciator panel.  Exactly what conditions will be monitored is yet to be determined.

Inspired by the work of Paul Dye and others, I decided to build my own. Continue reading “Scratch Built Annunciator Panels”