172M Panel Upgrade

[Bryant Paulsen]

It was an exciting day to say the least... I delivered my 172M to the folks at Six Pack Aero at the Bellingham International Airport.

The original instrument panel will be removed and the Six Pack Aero's Legacy Xl Stationary Panel assembly will be installed!

The vacuum and electric gyros were growling. Both nav/com radios failed several months ago. The ADF pooped out in November.

Flying has been a challenge with one hand-held radio.

After the Legacy Xl Stationary Panel assembly has been riveted in place, a large array of quality Dynon components will be installed.

• 10" SkyView HDX​
• Mode S transponder​
• D30 EFIS​
• Avidyne IFD 440​
• An auto pilot​
• All new antennas​
• Pre-wiring for the co-pilot 7" display​
• Vertical Control Panels for the auto pilot and Comm radio​
• Numerous engine sensors (Finally, a Carb Air Temp sensor!)​
• CHT and EGT sensors for all four cylinders​
• Primary ADAHRS module with OAT​
• Lots more Dynon components that will take me a while to figure out their functions
• New LED nav lights, strobes, and tail beacon, too

I plan on taking a lot of pictures and posting them, so stay tuned!

 

[airguy]

We did that with our 172R model a few years ago - you'll love it!

 

[Bryant Paulsen]

Here's the drawing from Six Pack Aero for the layout of the new instrument panel.

The entire lower region of the panel will be upgraded, too.

• New Push/Pull circuit breakers for all circuits
• New ignition switch assembly (No more compliance with the AD. Yay!)
• All new engine and environment control cables

The control yoke universal joints will be replaced with new ones, too.

Awesome!

 

[Rhino]

Weird to have all that blank space, isn't it?

 

[Bryant Paulsen]

Weird to have all that blank space, isn't it?

Absolutely. Not to mention the savings in weight, too. No more vacuum system. It'll definitely take me some time to get used to that blank space!

 

[Bryant Paulsen]

We did that with our 172R model a few years ago - you'll love it!

I'm excited to have selected the Dynon products for this project. I checked out the Garmin components, but I wasn't impressed with what was offered.

 

[CanucksUnlimited]

Sweet! Lyle at SixPack does a great job - Just had him design / cut a new panel front for our IFR upgrades.

 

[Bryant Paulsen]

Sweet! Lyle at SixPack does a great job - Just had him design / cut a new panel front for our IFR upgrades.

Their designs and products are top notch.

 

[Bryant Paulsen]

Work began on the new instrument panel today.

There are other components that are ready to be connected to the new panel once it has been prepared to receive those parts.

WIP...

 

[PaulSS]

I would be tempted to put a Level button above the Disconnect. Since you'll be operating the autopilot through the HDX this is a good way to initially engage the A/P and then you can make mode changes using the HDX. It also gives you the option of just pressing Level if you run out of ideas one day (the original idea of the blue button).

 

[Bryant Paulsen]

I would be tempted to put a Level button above the Disconnect. Since you'll be operating the autopilot through the HDX this is a good way to initially engage the A/P and then you can make mode changes using the HDX. It also gives you the option of just pressing Level if you run out of ideas one day (the original idea of the blue button).

The autopilot system will have a Level button mounted in an appropriate location on the new panel.

Here's the link for that specific component that Dynon Certified offers.

 

[PaulSS]

Fair enough. Yes, the autopilot controller has the Level button but I just didn't see one on your panel design. I just assumed you were controlling through the HDX only, in which case a Level button would be handy.

 

[Bryant Paulsen]

It was a busy day at the Six Pack Aero hangar.

The basic elements of the Six Pack Aero's Legacy XL sheet metal structure was prepped and some items were riveted onto it.

The interior is completely gutted out, so the next step is to remove all of the antiquated instruments and wiring.

Yes, even the vacuum pump has got to go, too.

The wings have been opened up for the installation of an OAT probe, an AOA system, and autopilot components.

Wiring for new LED strobes, nav lights, and beacon need to be fashioned into place, too.

WIP...

 

[Bryant Paulsen]

Components are in the process of being removed!

The original isolation mounts for the secondary instrument panel were rotten (suspected that they were all along).

 

[Bryant Paulsen]

The ADF and glide slope wiring harnesses weighed-in at ten pounds!

The days are numbered for that ol’ factory-original stationary panel assembly…

 

[airguy]

When we put the full Dynon STC in our 172R, we dropped a total of 37 pounds from the airplane.

 

[Bryant Paulsen]

When we put the full Dynon STC in our 172R, we dropped a total of 37 pounds from the airplane.

I can believe that value for weight loss, for removing the entire vacuum system, the old nav/com radios, all of the steam gauge instruments, and all of the associated wiring harnesses does have a major impact.

 

[Bryant Paulsen]

The progress made on Friday, March 28, 2025.

Preparation is just in the beginning stages for the new Legacy XL Stationary Panel Kit!

 

[Bryant Paulsen]

Makin' progress! Visited Six Pack Aero this afternoon. Here's a sample of what I observed...

EGT and CHT probes installed. Tach cable capped off. Vacuum pump pad cover in place.

Two new Rami VHF antennas on the roof. Whelen LED tail beacon and rear nav light good-to-go.

20 pound cardboard box of old components purged from the airframe and engine; plus, some other old wiring.

Visual Instruments digital flap sender unit and two McFarlane fuel tank sending assemblies in place.

A new McFarlane engine primer is on order...

 

[Bryant Paulsen]

Six Pack Aero riveted their Legacy XL Stationary Panel assembly into place today!