Panel Upgrade, Feedback Requested

nbainbridge

nbainbridge

Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2023
Messages
12
Location
Newton, KS
I'm planning to upgrade the panel in my 8KCAB and would appreciate feedback. The goal is for this to be the first upgrade of three. Ultimately, I'd like to get the aircraft IRF certified or at least IFR capable. The goals of this specific upgrade are:
1. Get an attitude indicator
2. Move away from the Stratus ADSB and AHRS
3. Convert to the Garmin ecosystem/prep for IFR capability
4. Install a semi-permanent iPad mount
5. Get rid of the compass

Specifically, this would entail:
Install Garmin GI275 AI with the GMU11 magnetometer (move the clock down and remove the TC and compass)
Install Garmin GNC255A radio/com and GNX375 GPS Navigator (remove stratus xponder and ADSB, remove Bendix KLA135A)
Install the iPad mount (I'll have another post on how I did this)
Install a GSB15 for usb charging and data interface

Questions:
1. Has anyone used the 255 intercom? I don't mind keeping the PS Engineering intercom, but it would be cleaner without it. However, PSE has a stellar reputation.
2. There seems to be controversy about the legality of removing a compass. 91.205(b)(3) only requires a "Magnetic direction indicator" and AC 23.1311-1C Sec. 8.8.1.a. reads, "As new technology becomes more affordable for part 23 airplanes, many electronic flight instrument systems will use magnetically stabilized direction indicators (or electric compass systems) to measure and indicate the airplane heading to provide better performance." This seems to indicate that a magnetometer can legally replace a compass.

Any other thoughts or suggestions. A big thanks to all the knowledgeable guys here and especially to Bartman.

N818WD Panel Upgrade 1 RevB small.webp
 
Mine is IFR capable, but not certificated for IFR flight. You are contemplating something vastly more complex than anything I would dare to dream up.
I would wait for the factory to add IFR to the type certificate. Surely at a quarter mil some of their customers will ask?
 
Well, getting IFR certified is the hope, not the expectation. I also read the thread on IFR Decathlons and understand it's a long shot.
 
longshot might not even describe it. there's an IFR 8KCAB for sale on Barnstormers, might be a more certain outcome to just buy it that way?
 
Regardless of getting it IFR certified, the goal is to get it IFR capable. Any thoughts on the compass removal or intercom?
 
I dont know about the 255, but the gtr200 has the best intercom I have used in recent decades. I have one in my 7gcbc and I have installed them in several airplanes. I cant imagine that the 255 intercom would be anything less.

As far as the compass goes, I have yet seen or heard anyone finding a no question allowance to do away with it. Says you gotta have it, doesn't say you gotta see it... I had an FAA inspector on a checkride once joke that he had his mounted under the passenger seat of his pa-12. anyway, I dont care anymore if it even works, mostly they point toward the alternator anyways. I'd just move it down into the panel as a hole filler.
 
Plus 1.

We are using the GTR-200 open mic in a 450 Stearman, and even at 2300/37" it works extremely well!

I looked at the installation manual for the 225, and decided installing them was beyond my meager abilities. It does contain a nav version, and that may have been what I was looking at. Way too complicated.

There is a thread on J3 Cub forum about a glass cockpit J3. This reminds me a bit of that.

The early 737s had a "fold-up" compass. It was a joke, but apparently required. Might as well have been under a passenger seat.
 
By the way, PS Engineering products are "top drawer" - they are among the best. The guy who started the company told me their intercoms are not designed for open cockpit application. The GTR-200 is designed for open cockpit.

The Decathlon is a bit noisy, but the PS intercom should work ok if you don't mind the extra wiring. We have completely gotten away from external intercoms (yippee!).
 
Here's a good regulation to know while setting an aircraft instrument panel up:
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-91.205

Since you're asking opinions... 🤔 ...Prioritize upgrading the engine instruments first. The number of engines that are failing these days is NOT acceptable. If you have enough money to be thinking about IFR equipping your tube and fabric 'NO-ICE' aircraft you have enough to install a good digital engine monitoring instrument first.... Just saying.

Here's two more Compass regs.:

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-25.1327

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-25.1547
 
@Tangogawd @Bob Turner Thanks for the feedback guys. I will try going with the Garmin intercom.

@Klaus M I mostly agree. The engine instruments will be part of Phase II. That is a little more involved, and the AI is a very high priority, so I'm starting with this step first.

Again, thanks to all. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the collective knowledge and experience from everyone.
 
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Just added a Garmin G5, Aera 796, SL-40, and GTX 327 to replace old King Avionics. The XM weather and music are avail through the 796. If you want the ability to "pull up" an approach and practice, or have one available in an emergency/ low vis ( but still vfr), low light conditions. This set up is about all you'd need and keeps budget down. Intercom in the GTR 200 is great. I didn't use the one in the sl-40, I had a David Clark in the panel that didn't "need" to come out. BTW: the 796 "talks" to the G5 which gives me course guidance and limited vertical nav capability. The G5 has a magnometer. Good buy compass, if you insist. (I have a vertical compass card to replace my whiskey compass.
 
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