M20R Goes Glass

[Max Clark]

Work on my new panel started this week. Photos of the tear down are bittersweet. On one hand I'm excited for the update, on the other I miss flying and don't ever want to see it in pieces again.

After weeks of research, talking with people, agonizing, and daydreams I ended up going with:

G3x Touch PFD w/ EIS
G5 Standby
GTN 750xi Touchscreen Navigator
GMA 35c Audio Panel 
GTX 345r Transponder
GNC 215 Nav/Comm
GFC 500 Autopilot

After flying the G1000 and Perspective+ with the GFC 700 I really wanted to move into a modern and integrated autopilot. Once this choice was made the only option I could see was the GFC 500 and everything else followed suit. I've spent days digging into other autopilot and PFD/MFD combinations trying to keep the Avidyne IFD 540/440 + JPI EDM 800 combo that was already in the plane. If you're in a similar situation and want to chat please reach out, happy to share what I found along the way.

Panel will be cut and prepped to add the portrait layout MFD if I want to add it in the future. That drove me to go ahead and put the remote transponder in now, and the audio panel swap was driven by overall space limits.

The GNC 215 vs GTN 650xi was a hard decision to make. Easy to save the money, but hard wondering if I'd regret it down the road. The G3x has an internal GPS (yes it's not certified for IFR... yet), and with Foreflight on the iPad I have lots of GPS redundancy already in the plane. But more redundancy is always better, especially when things go wrong. After spending time at Garmin for training I'm happy I went with the GNC 215.

P.S. If you go this route, I highly recommend going to Garmin for their G3x/GTN class. Two full days of training on different scenarios with your own kiosk. I know how to use VNAV now lol!

P.P.S. Wasn't on the initial plan, but opted to add Guardian Aero CO monitor and dash mounted Alpha Systems Eagle AOA before work started.

[Pinecone]

Nice.

I agree about the Garmin class.  I may even take it again in a year or two.

I have a 650Xi as my number 2, but it was already in the airplane, so the cost delta was quite small.

The one thing I would change is the Alpha AOA to be either the standard or HUD on top of the glareshield.  That way you don't have to look down at the panel.

I would love for Garmin to do an actual HUD with AI data.

[Max Clark]

29 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

The one thing I would change is the Alpha AOA to be either the standard or HUD on top of the glareshield.  That way you don't have to look down at the panel.

It's dash mounted - aka in the sightline looking out the glare shield. I considered getting the Garmin G3x integrated AOA but went to the Eagle specifically so it would be on the dash.

[toto]

I went a very similar path for my panel (aside from the GNC - I still have a KX-155 for #2). You’ll be amazed at the increased capability. 

The bench config in your photo has a GFC600?

[McMooney]

sexy ride, i so want a g3x and gfc 500,  my list is way to long

[NickG]

[Max Clark]

8 hours ago, toto said:

I went a very similar path for my panel (aside from the GNC - I still have a KX-155 for #2). You’ll be amazed at the increased capability. 

The bench config in your photo has a GFC600?

There was one in the kiosk but not used for the class (none of the controls worked). Probably for different training options.

Everything was done via the GFC 500 controller / G3x integration on the PFD.

[Max Clark]

7 hours ago, NickG said:

I like the little spacing they put on the GTN, looks like the actual screen is lined up with the G3x as a result?

[Max Clark]

6 minutes ago, Max Clark said:

G3x integration on the PFD.

BTW with the exception of managing flight plans on the external navigator, everything else can be managed via the G3x touch interface.

Com/Nav frequencies I was expecting, but touch to set baro, alt bug, speed bug, etc... surprised me. When I found out that all of the AP modes were manageable via touch as well mind blown. 

[NickG]

2 hours ago, Max Clark said:

I like the little spacing they put on the GTN, looks like the actual screen is lined up with the G3x as a result?

Yes… it’s very orderly

[NickG]

2 hours ago, Max Clark said:

BTW with the exception of managing flight plans on the external navigator, everything else can be managed via the G3x touch interface.

Com/Nav frequencies I was expecting, but touch to set baro, alt bug, speed bug, etc... surprised me. When I found out that all of the AP modes were manageable via touch as well mind blown. 

This is true, basically everything is in the G3x minus the flight plan, which should be modified directly on the 750. I usually set baro on the G5 which of course is synced to the G3 X etc. can do on the G3X as well. I don’t really use my iPad while in flight (although I prefer the iPad to look at charts etc) but it does receive all of the flight data which gets automatically uploaded to the garmin site and can then be used in FlySto or any other analysis program.

[Pinecone]

On 11/27/2024 at 1:18 PM, Max Clark said:

It's dash mounted - aka in the sightline looking out the glare shield. I considered getting the Garmin G3x integrated AOA but went to the Eagle specifically so it would be on the dash.

I misread as panel mounted.

[Max Clark]

Work continues...

Old panel completely removed (looks like the plane hit the flying spaghetti monster), new LEDs (nav, strobe, and recog) are installed, new servos in place.

Should have panel mockups and options soon to finalize.

[Max Clark]

Tomorrows pickup day! I'll post pictures after I get back home.

Between the avionics, wiring, lights, vacuum system, etc... just dropped 85 lbs!!!

[Slick Nick]

13 hours ago, Max Clark said:

Tomorrows pickup day! I'll post pictures after I get back home.

Between the avionics, wiring, lights, vacuum system, etc... just dropped 85 lbs!!!

On the airframe or from your wallet?

Edited February 7 by Slick Nick

[Max Clark]

9 minutes ago, Slick Nick said:

On the airframe or from your wallet?

Lol what wallet?

[Parker_Woodruff]

On 11/27/2024 at 10:11 AM, Max Clark said:

P.S. If you go this route, I highly recommend going to Garmin for their G3x/GTN class. Two full days of training on different scenarios with your own kiosk.

I had no idea they offered in-person formal training.  Good to know.

[Aerodon]

16 hours ago, Max Clark said:

Tomorrows pickup day! I'll post pictures after I get back home.

Between the avionics, wiring, lights, vacuum system, etc... just dropped 85 lbs!!!

Reminds me of the racing driver who found out how much it cost to reduce the car weight per pound.  He offered to diet and do it for less than that.

Aerodon

[Max Clark]

23 hours ago, Parker_Woodruff said:

I had no idea they offered in-person formal training.  Good to know.

These systems are complex! Highly recommend the training for anyone doing this. 
 

I have a lot of G1000 time and it’s still a lot. 

[Pinecone]

On 2/7/2025 at 12:02 PM, Parker_Woodruff said:

I had no idea they offered in-person formal training.  Good to know.

I did the course last summer.  Well worth the time and money.  I may do it again to refresh some of things I don't do often.

[Max Clark]

Finished panel photo below. I'll get one in flight soon.

Notes from the installation:

• This is a M20R Ovation 2
• A GTN 650xi would fit in the stack, but would probably require the GMC 507 to be on the top
• I wanted to add bluetooth to the audio panel. PS Engineering makes great units, but I wanted to be all Garmin at the end. Installing a GMA 35c over the GMA 342 just made more sense to me.
• I'm planning on adding the MFD in a few years - that and OCD pushed me to switch to the GTX 345r and clean up the co-pilot side completely. We also relocated the ELT to the left side of the panel and put the emergency bus next to it.
• After flying with the IFD 540/440 stack I decided on the GNC 215 NAV/COMM over the 650xi. I was concerned about it all fitting, and wanted non GPS based navigation diversity.
• Smart Glide is fully integrated into the G3x (available in menus and long press of direct to button), opted for the physical button for passenger use.
• The Alpha Systems Eagle AOA was in the sleeve and folded down in the photo. You need to be able to set the AOA while in the air, we ended up putting the interface above the mixture.
• We added a Guardian CO2 detector behind the panel.
• Dual USB-C chargers were added on both sides. I'm curious how much I use Foreflight going forward with everything on the G3x and 750xi. 
• Whelen Strobe, Nav, and Recog LED were installed. I'll do the landing and taxi lights at the next annual.
• The powder coat paint matching was almost exact, the new panel looks original to the plane.
• Including the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years holidays the entire project took three (3) months - I'm very happy about that.

It's a pretty remarkable difference. Waiting for my GPU to show up today so I can spend time in the hangar figuring out what preferences and workflow I want on everything.

[Pinecone]

Not saying one way or the other is right or better....

I put my GFC-507 to the left, out of the stack, but near the throttle.  I love it there.

The 650Xi is also VOR/LOC/GS, so you have redundancy there.

I tend to sit a bit to the right, so put the G-5 to the left of the G3X, so the G3X is centered on my body.

I went with the PSE 45C.  Love it.

[Max Clark]

4 hours ago, Pinecone said:

Not saying one way or the other is right or better....

I put my GFC-507 to the left, out of the stack, but near the throttle.  I love it there.

The 650Xi is also VOR/LOC/GS, so you have redundancy there.

I tend to sit a bit to the right, so put the G-5 to the left of the G3X, so the G3X is centered on my body.

I went with the PSE 45C.  Love it.

I've seen examples of that and they look great as well.

I was trying to preserve as much of the original panel design/placement as possible.

I also wanted to maintain ergonomics assuming my left hand would be on the yoke and my right hand would be doing the pushing and turning.

I also wanted to keep the no-no buttons (ELT, Emergency Bus, Smartglide) away from things where they could be accidentally pushed.

In split screen the G3x slides the AHRS and HSI a touch to the side which isn't ideal. I opted for the G3x to be dead center on the yoke knowing I'll add the MFD down the road.