Pre-buy came back good, so I am moving forward with purchase.
It does have some ugly spots on the paint, and some minor repairs required to the fabric. I'm hoping to do some of that myself. The seller is an A&P, and is willing to supervise and help, but he's not experienced with fabric. Any tips on how to make that work and do it legal?
Also, I'm pondering a few upgrades to the panel for my intended use, which is going to include a lot of VFR cross country. Since the photo above was taken, the transponder has been replaced with a Garmin GTX335, so it is ADS-B Out compliant. I have a GDL-50 for ADS-B In to feed traffic, weather, and GPS WAAS nav to a tablet running Garmin Pilot. I have a phone running Pilot as backup, so I do not feel I need a panel mount GPS.
I'm considering installing an AI to improve my chances if I fly into clouds at night. The new electronic digital horizons are not sensitive to acro, so was looking at a Garmin G5 or an
RC Allen 2610-3. I can get AHRS on my tablet or phone from the GDL-50, but not sure I would trust my life to that.
The G5 has more functionality, but I think I prefer the RC Allen. It fits in an existing gauge hole to preserve the clean look of the panel, and comes with an analog ball option.
So here is the question: replace the gyro TC with the AI, or keep the TC and relocate it elsewhere on the panel? Only option I could think of would be put it in the spot currently occupied by the 3" Tach, and install a 2" Tach next to the MP. I kinda prefer that location for the tach anyways, since it is directly above the Pitch control. I don't fool with RPM much, set it up and leave it, so not sure why I need it right in my face while flying. Thoughts?