Can I put anything I want in my yoke?

[ryoder]

I currently have an old clock in the yoke. I think it would be cool to have a custom android gadget in there that I could put apps on or even program to display a moving map or clock. The yoke has a small metal plat that holds the old clock tight. I could fabricate another metal plate to hold something like the new Garmin D2 bravo watch or a small android watch. If it's battery operated does it matter? I could potentially make it removable also with thumb screws or Velcro or something.

[Marauder]

I currently have an old clock in the yoke. I think it would be cool to have a custom android gadget in there that I could put apps on or even program to display a moving map or clock. The yoke has a small metal plat that holds the old clock tight. I could fabricate another metal plate to hold something like the new Garmin D2 bravo watch or a small android watch. If it's battery operated does it matter? I could potentially make it removable also with thumb screws or Velcro or something.

I was always under the impression that if something is permanently attached to the plane, it requires an approval. Temporary installation, it is okay.

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[Ratherbflying]

Good article from Mike Busch on this topic:

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/dfd69bf8f8fec1b9da00eedbd/files/Alterations.pdf

I would say that what you want to do constitutes a minor alteration and all you would need is your mechanic to sign off. Now you just need a mechanic who agrees with me.

[orionflt]

Good article from Mike Busch on this topic:

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/dfd69bf8f8fec1b9da00eedbd/files/Alterations.pdf

I would say that what you want to do constitutes a minor alteration and all you would need is your mechanic to sign off. Now you just need a mechanic who agrees with me.

you are correct, that would fall under the category of a minor alteration. A friend of mine has an F with an inop clock on the yoke and every time I fly his plane I think that it would be nice mount his garmin there and how easy manufacturing the mount would be. the idea soon goes away after I exit the airplane 

 

Brian

[N201MKTurbo]

Just keep the old clock and plate. If anybody says anything just put the old stuff back in. When that crabby old fart leaves put the good stuff back in.

[N201MKTurbo]

Seriously, the only person you have to worry about is your IA. If he is cool about it then there is no problem. If you get ramp checked, which hasn't happened to me in 6000 hours of Mooney flying, and they ground your plane, just put the old stuff back in.

 

I can see it now! Plane crashes into shopping mall killing everybody inside because of exploding I-Watch in airplane yoke.

 

Or you could just make a blank plate to go on there and stick the watch on with double sided tape and call it a portable device.

 

If you want to fly IFR, you need a clock installed somewhere, but a lot of avionics these days have a clock.

 

So if you put an "Android Device" in the yoke, how are you going to charge it? The device will probably fit, but the charging connector probably won't, and what are you going to do with the other end of the charging cord? Plug it into your cigarette lighter plug? You could build in a 5V power supply, but getting that approved will be a challenge.

 

They make some very thin Velcro these days.

[ryoder]

Ok. I'm going to keep the old stuff and begin development on an android watch app for the Sony watch which has a GPS. I'll build a basic screen that shows distance, bearing and ground speed to an airport. Phase one I'll hardcode KZPH and all it will do is tell me how to get there. Then I'll stick an array of local airports KPIE, KLAL, KCGC, ktpa, x40 etc and make a nearest page where you can choose direct to. I'll be able to test it in the emulator and post screen shots. Once I get the app built I'll test it on my wrist. Then I'll fab something up ghetto style before enlisting an expert. My IA is easy to work with so he will most likely sign off.

I might also by the Garmin watch but I really think touch screen is better.

[Piloto]

I modified the yoke logo plate to become a Velcro pad. This allows me to stick multiple items with no effort. Very convenient.

 

José

[ryoder]

I love Velcro. Great idea.