Hi Tony
I installed a sub panel for the six standard instruments. The instruments w
ere installed in a 3 mm aluminum plate, a hole cut to that size and the su
b panel attached to the main panel by six countersunk machine screws. The s
ub pane is installed flush with the main panel - I added a narrow fiberglas
s backing strip, and the sub panel screws into anchor nuts - the type with
the two holes for the pop rivets on the same side. Qutie a tight fit for a
mono panel, but just about room. All the instruments have connectors - incl
uding the pitot static, which means you can get the sub panel out in about
5 minutes. It has worked well. It makes it easier to take the main panel in
and out as you have 1) a big hole through which you can work behind the pa
nel and 2) when you take the panel in and out, quite a lot of the weight ha
s already been removed. if I did it all again, 10 years on, I wouldn't be i
nstalling gyro instruments, but would still go for a sub panel.
Roddy Kesterton
G-IKRK
-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Renshaw <tonyrenshaw268@gmail.com>
Sent: Tue, 17 Sep 2013 1:24
Subject: Europa-List: Instrument Panel Sub Panel Setup..Runners?
Gidday,
I am interested in advice on what might be considered the best setup for th
e
instrument panel, in terms of ease of maintenance, removal etc. I am wonder
ing
if the main sub panel could be removable forward on runners, like drawer
sliders? Big aircraft have these, as was my misfortune one day to realise w
hen I
grabbed the two foot rests D rings either side of the panel and pulled to g
ive
my shoulders a stretch, but little did I know that during maintenance the
locking screws had not been actuated, and the whole panel came forward up t
o the
back of the control column! I looked at the other guy with shock, and just
gently eased it back in place, hoping nothing had, or would disconnect in t
he
process. Yes, we were airborne! It left an indelible memory, but has inspir
ed me
as to whether such a setup could work on the Europa. This idea is borne out
of
imagining how unwieldy it might be with all the weight aft of the sub panel
, to
remove it forward easily, especially with plumbing a!
ttached. Runners would make it a lot easier.
If there is other options for these sub panels I'd appreciate knowing, or
whether my anxieties are unfounded. Thanks in anticipation.
Regards
Tony Renshaw
Sydney Aussie
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