7KCAB Artificial Horizon (Attitude Gyro) Installation

R

RIcitabria

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Joined
Nov 17, 2019
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10
Hi,

I have a 1975 7KCAB with the original slanted instrument panel and was wondering if anyone has installed an artificial horizon (attitude gyro) in a similar 7KCAB panel since the artificial horizon needs to be level in flight and the panel is sloped approximately 30 degrees forward.

When I bought the plane, it came with a Sigma-Tek 5000B-36 attitude gyro that was mounted directly to the panel, which is not correct (in other words, the gyro is sloped 30 degrees down when the plane is in level flight). Does anyone have a suggestion on how their attitude gyro is mounted. I've looked far and wide for a 30 degree instrument adapter, but no joy.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jon
 
Interesting question! I have a '67 GCBC. I assume our original instrument panels are much the same. At the moment it has no AI, so I'm contemplating putting in an AV-30. Likewise---any advice is appreciated!
 
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Couldn't you just twiddle the knob that makes that little airplane go up and down? Don't old gyros seek the earth's gravitational field to erect? Are you sure you need something more accurate in a VFR only aircraft?

I will check my Decathlon panel - never noticed any problems with the Sigma tek, but it is only a minor part of my scan.
 
According to my Citabria parts manual, they were not originally equipped with an attitude gyro, so I am curious how others are installed in the Citabria slanted panel that were not factory installed.

In any event, attitude gyro manufacturers specify the attitude gyro be level in level flight. Whether it actually makes a difference or not, I don’t know. And yes, I seldom look at it as well, but I want to make sure it’s installed properly.
 
Have you considered getting a digital AI? They can usually be set for panel slant. My RC Allen 2600 can be bought for a level panel or 8 degree slant, or factory configured for other angles.
 
Ed, Thank you for the RC Allen suggestion; however, I would prefer to not to buy a new artificial horizon if I can get my Sigma Tek mounted properly..
 
@RIcitabria

I've never seen a slanted panel and I'm surprised to hear that they did that in '75. can you please post a few pics to show how it is laid out and what it looks like?
 
Yeah, I'm interested too. I've owned a '66, '80, and now a '69 and all had pretty straight panels. First 2 had attitude indicators.
 
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