C182R Install - Joining the Blank Panel Club

[packetpusher]

Hey gang after years of anticipation and weeks of work I finally have the new panel in my 1982 182R. I've been holding out for the autopilot and it finally (hopefully) looks to be within reach for the 182. I just hope the 182R doesn't fall off the certification list for some reason. The entire primary and backup vacuum system was removed along with all the older avionics and barely functional, temperamental 300A Navomatic. A whole lot was added and we still wound up with a bit over 20 pounds of weight savings.

• New custom panel and sub-panel.
• Dual HDX-1100 PFD/MFD
• D10A in center stack with another custom panel
• SV-KNOB
• SV-COM as COM2
• SV-ADSB-472
• 6 cylinder engine monitoring
• Pre-wire for 2-axis servos
• Blank panel where the SV-AP-PANEL will live
• Cies fuel senders
• Garmin GSB15 for pilot, co-pilot and both rear seats
• Aveo Rockrack switches
• LED panel and sub-panel lighting
• All new pull-able circuit breakers replacing the 40-year-old originals
• RAM ball mounts for pilot and co-pilot cup holders (These work great!)
• Preexisting: IFD540, PS450B, & AXP340

The amount of information available from the Skyview system is just amazing. It's taking some adjustment to get used to all of the data coming at me, but situational awareness is incredible. Even without the autopilot the highway-in-the-sky really feels like cheating while hand flying. Having the big map with weather and traffic right in front of me is just incredible and the integration with the IFD540 is completely seamless. WiFi to the iPad works great but honestly I'm using Foreflight a whole lot less than I did with the old panel. The engine monitor has me leaning more than I ever did with a single EGT gauge so I'm saving on fuel too.

Installation was done by Matt Queen at Elevate Avionics in Luray, Virginia (KLUA). I couldn't be happier with the installation even with my constant questions and scope creep. Communication was excellent and I'm thrilled with the results. They should be listed on the Authorized Installation Centers shortly.

Now let's get moving on that autopilot certification!
Any questions fire away.

Matt Bolick
N2427E

 

[Corefile]

I think you are safe - the early 182’s that fell off were the ones with manual trim with jackscrews and the stabilizer vs. the later 182’s that have electric trim with a simple trim tab.

 

[greentips]

I like what you have done. I am in the process of designing my layout (slowly ever so slowly but the pace will pick up..I promise). I have an M configuration. I decided to put the smaller panel in the right side. I debated back and forth between the 1100 and 900 for the copilot seat.

I had not considered putting the D10A in the center stack. I think that's a great idea and will incorporate this into my drawings.
This makes sense since it will be flyable from either seat, although the second display reduces the need for it. I had thought about this, but discarded it as I hadn't seen anyone else do that, but with the Cessna a/p out of the way there is room for it. Did you consider putting it above the Garmin? I have a WX900 storm scope that works well and I am keeping. I routinely fly 600 nm non-stops north to south and back. There have been a number of disagreements between the 'scope and ADSB and ATC radar and each time the scope has shown the way, once to the point of ATC asking me where I was showing weather. Now if only there were a way to tie this into the Dynon....

Your baro/ap switch panel matches my design plans. I am retiring the 300 as well. My wife doesn't like its rock 'n' roll approach to flying. I plan to put red/white bicolor LEDs in for panel lighting and tie them to the post light switch for switching.

I will be replacing the CGR 30 with the Dynon system. I have prewired for AP servos and will be installing when we go down for annual next month. I kept the SW fuel senders (or their recently replaced vintage) and have the Flint gauges that came with the tip tanks. I installed the Lynx9000 early with an OSH discount and have a WX900 which I plan to keep, at least for now for ADS-B in/out.

I just bought the PSE 450 for the upgrade replacing a KMA23 that's failing slowly. Nice to see I'm not the only one thinking this way.

Thanks for the photos of your panel. It is helpful to compare with my CAD drawings now in their third analysis-paralysis incarnation. Soon I will have to put cutters to metal though.

I am considering putting in the ElectroAir ignition system as my mags are approaching the age of overhaul. Sigh. If I do that I'll probably do some incarnation of your lower panel switch/breaker layout. I hadn't considered redesigning this but your switches look really cool and I'm going to look into them.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Spunk]

Really well thought out panel. Love the D10 in the middle. Hadn't thought of that.

 

[kellym]

I am considering putting in the ElectroAir ignition system as my mags are approaching the age of overhaul. Sigh. If I do that I'll probably do some incarnation of your lower panel switch/breaker layout. I hadn't considered redesigning this but your switches look really cool and I'm going to look into them.

Thanks for sharing.

Not Dynon per se. The Electroair system is good but very pricey and only replaces one mag, so you would still need to overhaul one.
You might look at the six cylinder P-mag as another option, simpler to install and only needs 12V during starting.

 

[Marc_J._Zeitlin]

You might look at the six cylinder P-mag as another option, simpler to install and only needs 12V during starting.

Emagair products are not certified or STC'd for TC'd aircraft. Experimental only, per their web pages and instructions.

 

[kellym]

Emagair products are not certified or STC'd for TC'd aircraft. Experimental only, per their web pages and instructions.

So look at Sure Fly mags. Still less than 1/2 price of ElectroAir.

 

[Fixxme]

Hey gang after years of anticipation and weeks of work I finally have the new panel in my 1982 182R. I've been holding out for the autopilot and it finally (hopefully) looks to be within reach for the 182. I just hope the 182R doesn't fall off the certification list for some reason. The entire primary and backup vacuum system was removed along with all the older avionics and barely functional, temperamental 300A Navomatic. A whole lot was added and we still wound up with a bit over 20 pounds of weight savings.

• New custom panel and sub-panel.
• Dual HDX-1100 PFD/MFD
• D10A in center stack with another custom panel
• SV-KNOB
• SV-COM as COM2
• SV-ADSB-472
• 6 cylinder engine monitoring
• Pre-wire for 2-axis servos
• Blank panel where the SV-AP-PANEL will live
• Cies fuel senders
• Garmin GSB15 for pilot, co-pilot and both rear seats
• Aveo Rockrack switches
• LED panel and sub-panel lighting
• All new pull-able circuit breakers replacing the 40-year-old originals
• RAM ball mounts for pilot and co-pilot cup holders (These work great!)
• Preexisting: IFD540, PS450B, & AXP340

The amount of information available from the Skyview system is just amazing. It's taking some adjustment to get used to all of the data coming at me, but situational awareness is incredible. Even without the autopilot the highway-in-the-sky really feels like cheating while hand flying. Having the big map with weather and traffic right in front of me is just incredible and the integration with the IFD540 is completely seamless. WiFi to the iPad works great but honestly I'm using Foreflight a whole lot less than I did with the old panel. The engine monitor has me leaning more than I ever did with a single EGT gauge so I'm saving on fuel too.

Installation was done by Matt Queen at Elevate Avionics in Luray, Virginia (KLUA). I couldn't be happier with the installation even with my constant questions and scope creep. Communication was excellent and I'm thrilled with the results. They should be listed on the Authorized Installation Centers shortly.

Now let's get moving on that autopilot certification!
Any questions fire away.

Matt Bolick
N2427E

Nice install. I’ve met Matt and think I saw your plane being worked on when I visited Luray. I’m waiting on the autopilot too.

 

[packetpusher]

I like what you have done. I am in the process of designing my layout (slowly ever so slowly but the pace will pick up..I promise). I have an M configuration. I decided to put the smaller panel in the right side. I debated back and forth between the 1100 and 900 for the copilot seat.

I had not considered putting the D10A in the center stack. I think that's a great idea and will incorporate this into my drawings.
This makes sense since it will be flyable from either seat, although the second display reduces the need for it. I had thought about this, but discarded it as I hadn't seen anyone else do that, but with the Cessna a/p out of the way there is room for it. Did you consider putting it above the Garmin? I have a WX900 storm scope that works well and I am keeping. I routinely fly 600 nm non-stops north to south and back. There have been a number of disagreements between the 'scope and ADSB and ATC radar and each time the scope has shown the way, once to the point of ATC asking me where I was showing weather. Now if only there were a way to tie this into the Dynon....

Your baro/ap switch panel matches my design plans. I am retiring the 300 as well. My wife doesn't like its rock 'n' roll approach to flying. I plan to put red/white bicolor LEDs in for panel lighting and tie them to the post light switch for switching.

I will be replacing the CGR 30 with the Dynon system. I have prewired for AP servos and will be installing when we go down for annual next month. I kept the SW fuel senders (or their recently replaced vintage) and have the Flint gauges that came with the tip tanks. I installed the Lynx9000 early with an OSH discount and have a WX900 which I plan to keep, at least for now for ADS-B in/out.

I just bought the PSE 450 for the upgrade replacing a KMA23 that's failing slowly. Nice to see I'm not the only one thinking this way.

Thanks for the photos of your panel. It is helpful to compare with my CAD drawings now in their third analysis-paralysis incarnation. Soon I will have to put cutters to metal though.

I am considering putting in the ElectroAir ignition system as my mags are approaching the age of overhaul. Sigh. If I do that I'll probably do some incarnation of your lower panel switch/breaker layout. I hadn't considered redesigning this but your switches look really cool and I'm going to look into them.

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the kind words. Only 3 overthinks of the panel? I think I went through at least 8 even before I got the installer involved.

I really like having the D10 and radio in the center mainly because I had the space. It makes it easy to adjust both with my right hand and easy to see in an emergency. The far left and right are actually more valuable spaces for me for USB ports and cup holders. All I can say is every airplane needs RAM balls on the panel.

Go with the 1100 on the right. In the big picture it's not much more money and the larger size is so nice from the left seat. I fly with a zoomed in track up map (or plate) on the left split screen and a full screen zoomed out north up map on the right. So nice.

Matt

 

[packetpusher]

So look at Sure Fly mags. Still less than 1/2 price of ElectroAir.

I'm not decided on Surefly or EA. I still have some time and need to recover some budget from the wife before we get there. If one of them manages to finagle a dual mag STC I'm there! I can dream.

Matt

 

[packetpusher]

Nice install. I’ve met Matt and think I saw your plane being worked on when I visited Luray. I’m waiting on the autopilot too.

Nice panel! There can never be too much glass!

Matt

 

[greentips]

I'm not decided on Surefly or EA. I still have some time and need to recover some budget from the wife before we get there. If one of them manages to finagle a dual mag STC I'm there! I can dream.

So look at Sure Fly mags. Still less than 1/2 price of ElectroAir.

I'm still debating slicks v. electronic. As I see it there are three reasons for using any electronic: Starting especially in frigid winter weather. For my O470R 80 octane engine, stopping lead fouling on the bottom plugs and longevity/reliability. For these reasons, I think either the Surefly or the EA will work.

The performance reason, I'm not so sure. Surefly uses fixed timing for Certified a/c. EA has an air mass sensor and will advance the spark on certified a/c. My O470R is a cold blooded engine as cowled, temps running in the low 300s across the board, and even on a hot day at max performance high altitude climbs to get across the passes in the rockies (13-14k, sometimes up to 16k) it runs around 350-370, rarely as high as 390. O470R induction systems at their best are not so good. If I had an injected engine there's no question I'd go with EA. I'm just not 100% sure I'd get the performance/economy gains in a carbureted engine. I'm probably going to go EA anyway. It will advance up to 34 deg BTC and I'm told CHTs increase by about 30-40 deg. And it will keep the plugs clean. Performance gains are a plus, if they happen...but first the Dynon.

 

[N7600J]

I'm not decided on Surefly or EA. I still have some time and need to recover some budget from the wife before we get there. If one of them manages to finagle a dual mag STC I'm there! I can dream.

Matt

If you go with Surefly, you will need to purchase the TACH2 Tachometer Signal Converter if you want the Tach to show on your Dynon display if you have engine monitoring on your display. I have the Surefly and its really nice.

 

[Spunk]

Matt,

Where do you get the LED's for panel lighting? Do they have to be certified?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[packetpusher]

Matt Queen at Elevate Avionics did the whole install including the LEDs and switches. I do really like them. He also installed the IFD, transponder and audio panel a few years ago. Give him a shout and he'll help you out. If you're in the Shenandoah VA area I'd definitely recommend him for any avionics work.

Elevate Avionics – Take your panel to the next level!

elevateavionics.com

Matt