wrong direction?

[geoffreywh]

I was reading a thread this morning about a glass cockpit, apparently someone has been to Oshkosh and seen the latest wizardry and loved it... The bit that amused me was that it was "only" $4000 approx. and "only" weighed 2.5 kilos!!!! I believe that that is the wrong direction to be going in (that sentence looks wrong somehow?) I like better the

 

attitude of the guy that runs the Belite website, have a look at what he is doing...... Just because your aeroplane can weigh 600kgs doesn't mean that it should....Geoff

 

 

[Guest dad]

Thanks for that

 

Just had a look at the website and they look very promising.

 

Some of the instruments are, I think, too limited in their range eg the altimeter and air speed indicator.

 

The weight factor is well in their favour.

 

Peter

 

 

[geoffreywh]

Yes, you are right about the ASI and the Altimeter, very limited usefulness. I have, however, ordered the "inclinometer" (which is actually a slip/skid indicator) and the Turn indicator. I'll let the forum know how they turn out.....Geoff

 

 

[Guest dad]

I was thinking about enquiring if they could increase the ranges of those instruments as i believe there is weight to be saved.

 

The aircraft I'm building isn't a fighter or a passenger liner and we fly vfr, do I need a ubeaut bonzer $$$$$$ glass panel?

 

I'll see what he says.

 

Peter

 

 

[Guest dad]

Inclinometer: With 1.75" bezel, ready for panel mounting

 

$59.95 $59.95

 

Battery Condition Voltmeter: With 1.75" bezel, ready for panel mounting

 

$59.95 $59.95

 

Above Ground Level Altimeter: With 1.75" bezel, ready for panel mounting

 

$94.95 $94.95

 

Positive G Meter: With 1.75" bezel, ready for panel mounting

 

$94.95 $94.95

 

Air Speed Indicator: With 1.75" bezel, ready for panel mounting

 

$124.95 $124.95

 

Turn Rate Indicator: With 1.75" bezel, ready for panel mounting

 

$114.95 $114.95

 

Fuel Gauge: With 1.75" bezel, ready for panel mounting

 

$69.95 $69.95

 

Fuel Gauge: Fuel Gauge Probe

 

$99.95 $99.95

 

Vertical Speed Indicator: With 1.75" bezel, ready for panel mounting

 

$124.95 $124.95

 

CHT/EGT Gauge: Ready for panel mounting, rectangular 3.5" x 1.75" panel mount bezel included.

 

$179.95 $179.95

 

CHT/EGT Gauge: CHT Probe

 

$24.95 $24.95

 

CHT/EGT Gauge: EGT Probe

 

$39.95

 

total $1,089.40

 

All I can see that I need otherwise are communications and Tacho to provide the basics.

 

 

[Guest dad]

The glass panel option I have looked at is the Stratomaster Xtreme.

 

It is on special on their website

 

As for weight the only thing I can find out is that it is 'lightweight'.

 

Stratomaster XTREME MINI-EFIS 1,000.00 1,000.00

 

RDAC X-B, 12-channel thermocouples 220.00 220.00

 

Clamp-Type EGT Probes, LARGE 50.00 50.00

 

CHT Probes, 10mm spark plug 35.00 140.00

 

Water Temp. Sender 12.00 12.00

 

SP-2 and SP-4 Sensors (Full AHRS) 1,260.00 1,260.00

 

VDO Oil Pressure Sender 35.00 35.00

 

Floscan Fuel Flow Sensor, 201A-6, 0.3 - 30 GPH, A model 210.00 210.00

 

UMA Fuel Pressure Sender, 100 PSI MODEL 110.00 110.00

 

Capacitance Fuel Level Sender, 12-inch 65.00 65.00

 

All prices are in US Dollars TOTAL 3,102.00

 

 

[Yenn]

"I'm inclined to agree that it is perfectly feasible to fly with ASI/ALT/VSI/T&B a Compass and a GPS". Well Blackrod you are correct there, I have been flying for the last 400+ hours with those except no T& B and no VSI. I can't see the need for either in VFR flying, and my hand held GPS is a luxury. We keep hearing how Glass panels are cheaper than steam gauges, but whenever I look at what is required glass would only be cheaper if you priced all the steam gauges that glass replace even if you never need them.

 

I have a hand held Icom radio with VOR capability and recently tried it out, and found the bearing varying through about 30 degrees, even though I was tracking direct to it and 20 miles away. Could possibly be caused by having the aerial vertical.

 

 

[Keith Page]

reply

 

Good afternoon geofferywh

 

It was me who was at Oshkosh and saw this glass cockpit which I thought was brilliant.

 

This unit is all electronic no *pins *bushes *bearings and those heavy things - electrons are not heavy.

 

Weight and price(US$) correct.

 

If you need the price and a photo, PM me as I could not get the scan small enough to post.

 

This unit is all the engine and flight instruments one can load the flight maps and with a dongle the weather can be down loaded, the screen is a touch screen.

 

Very user friendly.

 

Regards,

 

Keith Page

 

 

[Guest dad]

Got an email back from belite,

 

Hi Peter,

 

Working on all that, stay tuned.

 

-- James

 

So it's looking good.

 

Peter