E Model Panel Mods

[Bob_Belville]

8 hours ago, Pictreed said:

Storm scope.  What is it, how good does it work, and how much do you rely on it now that we have stuff like XM weather and such?

 

Thanks to everyone,

Tim

In my opinion based upon a lot of experience and expressed in more than one MS threads, a Stormscope is more useful than XM weather for avoiding dangerous weather. I have ADSB weather (NEXRAD, etc.) and a Stormscope, both are useful as they show different information. 

[dk580]

Here is a shot of my C, still some work to be done on the right side but functions great as is. 

[DXB]

[HRM]

7 hours ago, DXB said:

Nice panel...clean.

[Marauder]

7 hours ago, DXB said:

Nice panel...clean.

He's a physician, he prefers "sterile".

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[Bob_Belville]

8 hours ago, DXB said:

Nice! I'm missing a second/bu VOR/LOC/Glideslope Indicator?

[DXB]

1 hour ago, Bob_Belville said:

Nice! I'm missing a second/bu VOR/LOC/Glideslope Indicator?

Bob- neither of my old nav heads were compatible with the new stuff.  With the Aspen's HSI plus dual RMI inputs, I decided to hold off putting in a second nav head (really just a backup I think?)   I left space under the JPI900 for one later- will consider after I finish instrument if I get into the kind of flying where I want this added redundancy .  Otherwise, I may put a stormscope or strikefinder in that slot.

[DXB]

On 11/26/2015, 7:24:13, TWinter said:

As far as the AccuTrack A/P goes. This system will hold a heading assuming you have a properly working PC Leveler. You will also need some sort of alt hold to work with the Accu system. It does not hold altitude. You will need a STec 30 Altitude Hold or similar..more $. Even after you have done that you still can't do approaches etc with it. It will fly you straight and level on a GPS heading and hold altitude.  Sounds like you might want to look at a more advanced A/P system that will let you do approaches etc.

 

The basic STEC-30, which I just had installed, will track a localizer or VOR radial.  But it really shines with GPSS input from a  430W/530W or GTN650/750-  they can be coupled via either a separate 1amu box for the STEC or using the Aspen PFD - this add on is key.  It can then autonomously make the turns in the loaded flight plan, including transitions to approaches, approaches, and published holds.  What it will not do is altitude changes, including following a glideslope.  If you want this, it's an extra 15K for the STEC55x- this is the point where I got priced out.  

[bonal]

There are some really nice panel upgrades for sure what I don't understand is after you make all that room on the right side why no one builds in a nice jockey box. My C150 had a real useful one for storing charts glasses and much more. I miss that little feature.

[Marauder]

1 hour ago, Bob_Belville said: Nice! I'm missing a second/bu VOR/LOC/Glideslope Indicator?

Bob- neither of my old nav heads were compatible with the new stuff.  With the Aspen's HSI plus dual RMI inputs, I decided to hold off putting in a second nav head (really just a backup I think?)   I left space under the JPI900 for one later- will consider after I finish instrument if I get into the kind of flying where I want this added redundancy .  Otherwise, I may put a stormscope or strikefinder in that slot.

Fess up, you're saving for that second Aspen. If you do get one, then you can throw in a WX-500.

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[Marauder]

8 hours ago, DXB said:

Nice! I'm missing a second/bu VOR/LOC/Glideslope Indicator?

When I installed my Aspens, I thought about keeping the mechanical CDI from the Narco. I opted to remove it. I find that when I am flying an approach, it is easy enough to turn on the second's Aspen HSI. If the approach has an overlay (like an ILS with an LPV) I will set the second HSI to the overlay.

If I am flying into my airport that has a VOR only approach, I will put the GPS overlay on the second HSI.

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[TWinter]

1 hour ago, DXB said:

The basic STEC-30, which I just had installed, will track a localizer or VOR radial.  But it really shines with GPSS input from a  430W/530W or GTN650/750-  they can be coupled via either a separate 1amu box for the STEC or the Aspen PFD - this add on is key.  It can then autonomously make the turns in the loaded flight plan, including transitions to approaches, approaches, and published holds.  What it will not do is altitude changes, including following a glideslope.  If you want this, it's an extra 15K for the STEC55x- this is the point where I got priced out.  

I have the STec 30 Alt Hold.. You have the Stec 30 AP. Two different systems I think. Am I missing a add-on box that can be installed w/ my altitude hold that will do approaches etc. That sure would be nice. Mine is strictly a bare-bone auto-pilot system. Is there another piece I can add to the STec30 alt hold that I'm unaware of ?.

 

-Tom

 

[DXB]

7 minutes ago, TWinter said:

I have the STec 30 Alt Hold.. You have the Stec 30 AP. Two different systems I think. Am I missing a add-on box that can be installed w/ my altitude hold that will do approaches etc. That sure would be nice. Mine is strictly a bare-bone auto-pilot system. Is there another piece I can add to the STec30 alt hold that I'm unaware of ?.

 

-Tom

 

Oh I see now - forgot that stand alone STEC altitude holder existed.  I'm not sure, but probably you'd have to upgrade to the 2 axis STEC30 autopilot first- maybe not as expensive since the existing STEC servos can stay in place?  Then putting GPSS in for an extra 1k is a no brainer:

http://www.avionicswest.net/articles/gpss.htm

[TWinter]

6 minutes ago, DXB said:

Oh I see now - forgot that stand alone STEC altitude holder existed.  I'm not sure, but probably you'd have to upgrade to the 2 axis STEC30 autopilot first- maybe not as expensive since the existing STEC servos can stay in place?  Then putting GPSS in for an extra 1k is a no brainer:

http://www.avionicswest.net/articles/gpss.htm

Okay..That's what I thought,  Great looking panel you have  

 

-Tom

[Bob_Belville]

58 minutes ago, Marauder said:

When I installed my Aspens, I thought about keeping the mechanical CDI from the Narco. I opted to remove it. I find that when I am flying an approach, it is easy enough to turn on the second's Aspen HSI. If the approach has an overlay (like an ILS with an LPV) I will set the second HSI to the overlay.

If I am flying into my airport that has a VOR only approach, I will put the GPS overlay on the second HSI.

 

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Yeah you are all set, but Dev's panel has only one Aspen and no other CDI that I can see.

[kpaul]

7 minutes ago, Bob_Belville said:

Yeah you are all set, but Dev's panel has only one Aspen and no other CDI that I can see.

"As a useful backup to one’s primary flight instruments, all GTN units feature an electronic CDI display with digital track-error indication." From the GTN manual

Not the same as a dedicated backup CDI but available if needed.  I've used the function on a 430W when the IS&S flat panel died on me in a PC-12. 

[Marauder]

58 minutes ago, Marauder said: When I installed my Aspens, I thought about keeping the mechanical CDI from the Narco. I opted to remove it. I find that when I am flying an approach, it is easy enough to turn on the second's Aspen HSI. If the approach has an overlay (like an ILS with an LPV) I will set the second HSI to the overlay.

If I am flying into my airport that has a VOR only approach, I will put the GPS overlay on the second HSI.

 

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Yeah you are all set, but Dev's panel has only one Aspen and no other CDI that I can see.

He is also VFR only at this point. I'm telling ya, he is saving up for that second Aspen.

[DXB]

2 hours ago, Bob_Belville said:

Yeah you are all set, but Dev's panel has only one Aspen and no other CDI that I can see.

Bob-  Do you routinely use your second CDI/ glideslope in addition to the info displayed on the HSI, glideslope, and dual RMI pointers on your Aspen? Per my admittedly rudimentary understanding, the RMIs could be used to identify crossing a fix, point to a VOR for the missed, etc.  With a failure of the single Aspen I might be SOL, though the CDI display on the default Nav page of the GTN650 could be of some emergency backup help. I may need some time to figure this stuff out in real world IFR operations before I decide whether to install a CDI/glideslope and/ or apply for membership in Chris' elite "Dual Aspens in an Old Mooney" club  . -Dev  

[Bob_Belville]

35 minutes ago, DXB said:

Bob-  Do you routinely use your second CDI/ glideslope in addition to the info displayed on the HSI, glideslope, and dual RMI pointers on your Aspen? Per my admittedly rudimentary understanding, the RMIs could be used to identify crossing a fix, point to a VOR for the missed, etc.  With a failure of the single Aspen I might be SOL, though the CDI display on the default Nav page of the GTN650 could be of some emergency backup help. I may need some time to figure this stuff out in real world IFR operations before I decide whether to install a CDI/glideslope and/ or apply for membership in Chris' elite "Dual Aspens in an Old Mooney" club  . -Dev  

Dev, real world, everything working, I seldom pay much attention to the #2 Nav except to do in flight VOR checks against the Aspen. But as you realize, if the Aspen fails you are left w/o a backup CDI, Glide slope. I don't think I've seen a IFR panel that didn't have 2 independent vor/loc. In the steam gauge era often only one had a glideslope. 

[Marauder]

35 minutes ago, DXB said: Bob-  Do you routinely use your second CDI/ glideslope in addition to the info displayed on the HSI, glideslope, and dual RMI pointers on your Aspen? Per my admittedly rudimentary understanding, the RMIs could be used to identify crossing a fix, point to a VOR for the missed, etc.  With a failure of the single Aspen I might be SOL, though the CDI display on the default Nav page of the GTN650 could be of some emergency backup help. I may need some time to figure this stuff out in real world IFR operations before I decide whether to install a CDI/glideslope and/ or apply for membership in Chris' elite "Dual Aspens in an Old Mooney" club  . -Dev  

I think as he gets into IFR he will see what kind of flying he is doing and find a solution that works for him. Back when I had steam only, I always had some kind of redundancy. Both of my CDIs were ILS capable.

Dev -- if the weather was low, I would always fly with both radios tuned to the ILS. If it wasn't, I would tune the second Nav to the missed approach routing if it was something other than a vector.

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[drapo]

Here's another example of an upgrade on a 1965 M20E panel. Not fully digital, but it does the job!

Before:

 

After

[MyNameIsNobody]

I like the now you see it...now you don't compass.  I have one of those too.

[drapo]

2 hours ago, MyNameIsNobody said:

I like the now you see it...now you don't compass.  I have one of those too.

Yeah, me and my mechanic we call it the "maintenance mode" so we don't knock our head on it while we work!

[Pictreed]

On November 27, 2015 at 6:22:26 PM, dk580 said:

Here is a shot of my C, still some work to be done on the right side but functions great as is. 

Welcome to the site.  

That panel is definitely easier for me than the stock.  Looks like all the IFR guys like the suction front and center too. I guess if you have redundant electrical gauges it's not as important. 

[C-GHIJ]

Try Hendricks, they do a nice job.

 

http://www.hendricksmfg.com/panels.html