ArtVandelay Posted April 21, 2021 Report Posted April 21, 2021 It looks like every glass panel is centered on the yoke. But if you have a large (10”) with a split view , usually PFD on left and MFD on right, wouldn’t you want the PFD to be centered?Even with 2 smaller 7” panels seem to center the panels so PFD is to the left. Has anyone flown an aircraft, or centered their glass so PFD is centered. If so, did you like it? Quote
rbridges Posted April 21, 2021 Report Posted April 21, 2021 I agree, but I also think your scan accommodates whatever is in front. My PFD is slightly off center, but I don't notice it. Same with reading the altimeter and air speed. Weird at first, but second nature now. Quote
StevenL757 Posted April 21, 2021 Report Posted April 21, 2021 17 minutes ago, ArtVandelay said: It looks like every glass panel is centered on the yoke. But if you have a large (10”) with a split view , usually PFD on left and MFD on right, wouldn’t you want the PFD to be centered? Even with 2 smaller 7” panels seem to center the panels so PFD is to the left. Has anyone flown an aircraft, or centered their glass so PFD is centered. If so, did you like it? Yes. On the initial G500 legacy install, the PFD was centered on the control column. The TXi - being a bit bigger - needed to go to the left a bit more to accommodate the GI275, which accompanied the autopilot. My shop and I tried to follow the same tactic as we did with the legacy G500, but given the rear footprint of the GI275, it (and the TXi) couldn't go any further right toward the radio stack, as the tubular structure got in the way. I've experienced no issues with the slightly off-center orientation in the latter configuration. 2 Quote
ArtVandelay Posted April 21, 2021 Author Report Posted April 21, 2021 Yes. On the initial G500 legacy install, the PFD was centered on the control column. The TXi - being a bit bigger - needed to go to the left a bit more to accommodate the GI275, which accompanied the autopilot. My shop and I tried to follow the same tactic as we did with the legacy G500, but given the rear footprint of the GI275, it (and the TXi) couldn't go any further right toward the radio stack, as the tubular structure got in the way. I've experienced no issues with the slightly off-center orientation in the latter configuration.I assume you didn’t want to recut the panel, otherwise you could have put the 275 to the left. Quote
StevenL757 Posted April 21, 2021 Report Posted April 21, 2021 The panel was indeed re-cut between those two upgrade phases. In the airline world, the standby instrument(s) are placed to the right of the inboard DU (or PFD/MFD), so I chose to keep to that design layout to maintain a proper scan. Quote
ArtVandelay Posted April 21, 2021 Author Report Posted April 21, 2021 The panel was indeed re-cut between those two upgrade phases. In the airline world, the standby instrument(s) are placed to the right of the inboard DU (or PFD/MFD), so I chose to keep to that design layout to maintain a proper scan.Is that so they can be shared by the copilot? Quote
PT20J Posted April 21, 2021 Report Posted April 21, 2021 I don’t think the offset is noticeable after a few minutes. I’ve flown a C172 with a G3X and the offset PFD didn’t bother me at all. The original Mooney M20J 6-pack has the AI and HSI offset to the left. Skip Quote
ArtVandelay Posted April 21, 2021 Author Report Posted April 21, 2021 If you think of where your eyes are looking, it’s either flight instruments or radio stack. I’m thinking moving the panel to the right, the backup going to the left would reduce head movements. Also would allow the panel to be higher because panel height is limited by left side where it slopes downward. Quote
PT20J Posted April 21, 2021 Report Posted April 21, 2021 I’m putting the G5 on the right of the G3X simply because I want to reach for the G5 knobs with my right hand if I ever need the backup. 1 Quote
Davidv Posted April 21, 2021 Report Posted April 21, 2021 52 minutes ago, PT20J said: I’m putting the G5 on the right of the G3X simply because I want to reach for the G5 knobs with my right hand if I ever need the backup. The other reason to have it on the right is that you can reset the altimeter settings with the G5 knob and it transfers to the G3X. This is how I set and change mine and wouldn’t want to use my left hand. 1 Quote
PT20J Posted April 21, 2021 Report Posted April 21, 2021 17 minutes ago, Davidv said: The other reason to have it on the right is that you can reset the altimeter settings with the G5 knob and it transfers to the G3X. This is how I set and change mine and wouldn’t want to use my left hand. On my airplane, the speedbrake button is on the left side of the yoke and I seem to inadvertently hit it with my arm whenever I reach for the left knob on my current Aspen PFD. Did that once while extricating myself from icing and the left brake didn't retract fully. Quote
carusoam Posted April 22, 2021 Report Posted April 22, 2021 This discussion comes up every now and then... Especially with the larger screens that include options for 1/3 - 2/3 layouts... vs. 50/50.... I’m pretty sure your brain will adapt to any layout you decide to use... Your neck isn’t going to get strained by staring at the center of the panel. Or 6” to the left, or right.... Mooneys with an eight pack... have no instruments on the centerline.... proven to be a non-issue... The centerline was reserved for vertical motion of the yoke, there wasn’t room for everything... For design issues like this... going with the Boeing approach for layout sounds like a good proven idea... PP thoughts only... Best regards, -a- Quote
steve@innoviator.com Posted April 24, 2021 Report Posted April 24, 2021 On 4/21/2021 at 8:10 AM, StevenL757 said: Yes. On the initial G500 legacy install, the PFD was centered on the control column. The TXi - being a bit bigger - needed to go to the left a bit more to accommodate the GI275, which accompanied the autopilot. My shop and I tried to follow the same tactic as we did with the legacy G500, but given the rear footprint of the GI275, it (and the TXi) couldn't go any further right toward the radio stack, as the tubular structure got in the way. I've experienced no issues with the slightly off-center orientation in the latter configuration. 3 Quote
PT20J Posted April 25, 2021 Report Posted April 25, 2021 Playing around with panel layouts using the full size, color depictions for the G3X and G5 provided by Garmin, I noticed that if the G5 is mounted next to the G3X but with the G5 bezel top 1" below the G3X bezel top then the horizon lines on both instruments are in line which is visually pleasing. Skip Quote
Davidv Posted April 25, 2021 Report Posted April 25, 2021 4 minutes ago, PT20J said: Playing around with panel layouts using the full size, color depictions for the G3X and G5 provided by Garmin, I noticed that if the G5 is mounted next to the G3X but with the G5 bezel top 1" below the G3X bezel top then the horizon lines on both instruments are in line which is visually pleasing. Skip This is how my installer did mine, flush mounted the G5 at a level where the top of the screens were at the same height and I like it. Quote
ArtVandelay Posted April 25, 2021 Author Report Posted April 25, 2021 This is how my installer did mine, flush mounted the G5 at a level where the top of the screens were at the same height and I like it.How much extra space is required for the flush mount? I assume the backing mounting frame requires some additional room. Quote
ArtVandelay Posted April 25, 2021 Author Report Posted April 25, 2021 This discussion comes up every now and then... Especially with the larger screens that include options for 1/3 - 2/3 layouts... vs. 50/50.... I’m pretty sure your brain will adapt to any layout you decide to use... Your neck isn’t going to get strained by staring at the center of the panel. Or 6” to the left, or right.... Mooneys with an eight pack... have no instruments on the centerline.... proven to be a non-issue... The centerline was reserved for vertical motion of the yoke, there wasn’t room for everything... For design issues like this... going with the Boeing approach for layout sounds like a good proven idea... PP thoughts only... Best regards, -a- I think less head movements in IMC conditions means less likely to get disoriented or airsick. It’s not about the neck.Boeings are 2 pilot planes, so their requirements are different than mine. Actually I did notice the off center HSI/AI when I first sat in a Mooney, my OCD kicked in but I have been able to suppress it. :-) 1 Quote
Jim Peace Posted April 25, 2021 Report Posted April 25, 2021 My G5's are way off the yoke and you don't notice it when flying....I have a few pilots who fly my plane and they never mentioned it. You get used to it in about 1 second....it is a non issue.... 2 Quote
Davidv Posted April 25, 2021 Report Posted April 25, 2021 4 hours ago, ArtVandelay said: How much extra space is required for the flush mount? I assume the backing mounting frame requires some additional room. Hmm I don’t think much space since it only protrudes less than an inch when not flush mounted? I think about the back of my panel pre-glass and some of the instruments went back up to a foot and we’re stacked on too of each other. There’s no way the G5 is anywhere near as big as my old Sandel (probably about 4x4x12). Now my back has all kinds of void space since it’s just some screens with wire bundles. Quote
PT20J Posted April 25, 2021 Report Posted April 25, 2021 The G5 bezel is thicker than the G3X. My avionics tech recesses the G5 to match them up. Garmin doesn’t make a flush mount kit for the G5, so it’s extra labor, but it looks nicer. Skip Quote
carusoam Posted April 26, 2021 Report Posted April 26, 2021 For flush mounted G5 questions... @Aerodon has a bunch of detailed answers... He has made a few of the devices needed in his panel building shop... Best regards, -a- Quote
Aerodon Posted April 28, 2021 Report Posted April 28, 2021 On 4/25/2021 at 7:43 AM, PT20J said: The G5 bezel is thicker than the G3X. My avionics tech recesses the G5 to match them up. Garmin doesn’t make a flush mount kit for the G5, so it’s extra labor, but it looks nicer. Skip We came to the same conclusion. Here's the back of an M20J that I am working on. We've recessed the G5's by 1/4" to match the G3x. Note the radiorax rails (pointing wrong way here). Had to learn how to get my CNC machine to drill the 12 holes to align with the panel holes. Next step is to countersink and screw in place. Having fun so far, but if you've ever wondered why some places charge '000's for new panels, there is a ton of work. Aerodon 1 Quote
ArtVandelay Posted April 28, 2021 Author Report Posted April 28, 2021 We came to the same conclusion. Here's the back of an M20J that I am working on. We've recessed the G5's by 1/4" to match the G3x. Note the radiorax rails (pointing wrong way here). Had to learn how to get my CNC machine to drill the 12 holes to align with the panel holes. Next step is to countersink and screw in place. Looks like you need about 1/4” spacing between the G5 and G3X for the screws?I did find them online: Quote
MIm20c Posted April 28, 2021 Report Posted April 28, 2021 This is what 0.32 inches looks like for flush mount depth. Keep in mind that’s the spacer thickness not the total which was 0.42 inches IIRC. 1 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.