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Didn't like where the throttle quadrant ended up - so I moved it. I wanted the throttle handle centered on the last instrument cutout hole... I initially set it up for the center of the mounting bracket to be there.

Made a new channel and sub-panel angle to accomodate the change. I like the new position a lot better (looks better, more pilot leg room). Will get some pics soon.

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Drilled some 1" angle for the avionics trays. I am going with about 0.3" sticking out from the panel because that's what the GRT systems are.

I used a combination of clamps, duct tape and screws to hold everything in position. I used a sharpie to mark the center point and drill later. I did each hole on the left side one by one. Once the left angle was drilled, I used it to make the one for the right side. Came out very nicely.

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So over the past few days I've really given consideration to adding a Garmin 296 or 396. It would be great for it's VFR moving map, terrain and if I decide on the 396 - weather and XM radio. It could also serve as external backup to the autopilot and allow for external (outside the plane) flight planning.

The airgizmos.com panel dock is quite nice. However it is slightly narrower than the cutout in the modular panel. I think I can overcome that with a black trim piece I can glue on. If I decide to go with the panel dock, I'm not sure of the order of the avionics since the traditional place for the audio panel is at the very top.

Another option I am considering is going with a RAM mount on the far right panel and leave the EIS in the center. I already have the panel cut for the EIS in the center. An adjustable RAM mount will allow the GPS to be angled toward the pilot (me!)

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Not too exciting. Made new angles for the mounting trays. These angles are longer to allow the AirGizmos Garmin 296 panel dock to be added to my panel. However, a small notch will have to be cut in the left hand panel piece to allow the latch to move enough to release the GPS.

Also, I received a new switch panel. This was needed because I moved my throttle quadrant to the right. So I trimmed the switch panel and started fabricating the angles that attach to it. Pictures will follow once I get it all together.

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Match drilled the angles to the subpanel. Used #6 nutplates on the angles so I can remove them (even with the radio mounting trays installed). Forgot what else I did today.

Ohhhh... I drilled the switch panel angle to the instrument panel angle. Attached #6 nutplates and countersunk the screw holes. The flush screws will allow me to put a nice EL lightstrip to illuminate the switches.

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Besides running all over north Atlanta trying to find .063 copper, I had time to drill the switch panel. Using Dan C's method of switch anti-rotation, I made a .063 aluminum backing plate to fit nicely between the angles on my switch panel.

Then I drilled #30 pilot holes on 0.9" centers. Then I used my unibit to enlarge to 15/32. The key switch hole is 7/8. I actually drilled the hole for the anti-rotation tab on the top and bottom because the first time around the hole was too close to the big hole. But it's all good and looks great.

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Yeeeha! The Grand Rapids screens are lit up. I said its about time to see what they look like. So I hooked them up to my 12v RC field box battery and let the electrons flow.

Spent a few minutes getting acquainted. I'm a male engineer so who needs manuals? Their interface is pretty intuitive which is good. Got the demo files to play from the USB memory stick and that was fun to watch. I think I'm gonna like these things a lot. I just have to remember to look outside the plane since we are VFR.

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80 degrees and severe clear in November. I'm loving it! So I took advantage of the weather and started to paint the panel peices. Unfortunately I put the paint on a little too thick on the main panel and I got solvent pot. So I'll have to sand and try again (or powder coat). Solvent pot happens when you don't wait long enough between coats and the solvent is still flashing off.

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Well after many trips to Fry's, Radio Shack and Aircraft Spruce I finally settled on which annuniator lights I'll use. I've spent tons of money bringing home all different kinds (Linrose Super Brite LED's, Radio Shack LED's with built in resistor and rectifier diode and some from Aicraft Spruce P/N 17-210, 17-211 and 17-212).

Tested them all under bright sunlight with 12v. Surprisingly, the cheapest ones (Radio Shack) were the most sunlight readable. I'll have to return the others!

Drilled holes in the panel for them. Going to have the following lights: EIS warning, EFIS warning, low volts, fuel pump on and co monitor.

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Did various wiring on the panel. Installed a switch for the autopilot GPS input so I can choose from either the internal GPS on the EFIS or my new Garmin 396. To do this, I had to mess with some of the connectors on the EFIS and autopilot.

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Here's a shot of the panel all lit up before I move to the airport. Note the Garmin 396 in the panel dock.

I don't like the panel dock because it's not angled towards the pilot. They have an adapter to tilt it 15 degrees but I'm not sure if I want that in the panel either.

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Ordered the horizontal tilt module for the AirGizmos panel dock. Tonight I installed it in the avionics stack. The instructions say you can bolt it right in place using the existing holes. This does not work in my instance because I set the avionics deeper than they assumed. So I had to drill and tap #8 for the four screws that hold the tilt module in. Why? Becuase the holes are very close or even in the corner of the aluminum angle holding the instrument mounting trays. Couldn't get nuts on them.

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Comments that appear on this website should not be interpreted as instructions on how to build any aircraft. Please consult with the manufacturer.

2004 Scott Will.