Panel Planning Help Request

[freerangequark]

Yeah, but then you ruin your symmetry. I reckon I must have some form of OCD, as I seem to be obsessed with symmetry

While I agree that symmetry often creates visual harmony and is inherently pleasing, but design rooted in function tends to have a deeper, enduring beauty. Balanced asymmetry, where purposeful imbalances achieve visual equilibrium, can be equally compelling.
I think i it is worth looking at In this design if the asymmetry of the switch sub-panels and drawer can be complemented by an intentionally asymmetrical avionics layout, creating a cohesive, functional aesthetic.

 

[jnmeade]

C'mon, symmetry has nothing to do with this. Sit in the airplane. Pretend you are flying. Go through the motions involved in all stages from start up to departure, cruise, approach and shut down and place the controls and devices where they are most logical. You'll get the flow of that very readily.
I'm assuming this is primarily a VFR airplane with AP for convenience. Your environment is important. In my area, I can fly all day and hardly touch the radio. Others are on it every five minutes. I often go on autopilot and then adjust my direction with either heading or track as I wander around, other use the Knob panel.
On left, from top down, horizontal: Radio, Knob panel, AP panel (move switches to give room)
On right:, horizontal: Intercom, Switch set with both mags and battery
under Touch, to the right of the AP panel put the fuel pump switch and light switches.
Remember to plan room for your USB power outlet, ELT display and (if you use an EarthX battery) battery light (yes you can use the Touch if you prefer).
When all is said and done, this panel has to suit you and the environment in which you fly.

 

[Rhino]

.... Sit in the airplane. Pretend you are flying......

This is the most important step in building your own airplane. It's even better if you make noises.

 

[Foxlees]

Hi,
I'm looking to get some feedback from experienced Skyview users.
I'm designing the panel for my current project which is a day/night VFR tandem seat, open cockpit, experimental. left hand throttle and right hand on the stick.
I have a Skyview Touch that was given to me for this project. I plan on also purchasing two-axis autopilot servos, the Dynon Comm, Dynon knob panel, Dynon Autopilot control panel, PS Engineering High Noise Environment intercom.

The Intercom and Autopilot panel are not in my concept model yet.

Some questions:

2. The Skyview will be centered on the panel. I have space on either the left or right side for the Comm, Knobs, AP Panel, and Intercom.
3. I was thinking Comm and Intercom should be on the left side of the Skyview and Knobs, and Autopilot panels on the right. Any reason to consider a different layout?
4. Any comments about how useful the Autopilot panel would be for me? One thing it might do is offer some symmetry to the panel if I place the intercom to the left of the comm


Also... Will the Skyview "touch" features work with a generic glove? Or do I need the kind of gloves specifically suited for use with touch screens?

I have just completed my 2nd Panel build using Dynon's and vertical Power unti , the one I just completed was for a friend in his Falco, using 2 x HDX screen,s dynin Radio, Transponder, audio panel and knobs, photos attached, the falco is a side by side so the panel is wider approx 1 meter
I have a CNC so made the designed and cut the panel out for him, I am also an electrical engineer so makes it a bit easier, I designed and had manualfacutured a circuit board to allow the two screens to interconnect rather than using 2 x dynon harnesses.
happy to help if you need it.

 

[GalinHdz]

My recommendation after building many panels:

1 - Make a cheap wood/cardboard panel the exact size of the one you will install.
2 - Print out full size images of all the equipment you will install, even future equipment.
3 - Tape the images to the cheap wood panel where you think they should go.
4 - Sit in a chair where your seat will be in the cockpit with the wood panel in front and do procedures you normally do while flying.
5 - See how natural/un-natural accessing the equipment is as you do these different procedures.
6 - Move the images until YOU are comfortable with their locations.

In my case this is what I came up with 12yrs ago. Accessing everything still feels so comfortable and natural. Making it ergonomically correct for you is huge in reducing your workload while flying. Especially single pilot IFR as in my case. Just my 2 cents.

BTW, this really helps you accomplish what jnmeade recommended:

Imagine yourself sitting in the airplane and flying. You start it, turn on lights, adjust radios, go on autopilot, get ATC instructions, etc. Where to you want your hands and do you want to do a lot of hand switching.

 

[Foxlees]

My recommendation after building many panels:

1 - Make a cheap wood panel the exact size of the one you will install.
2 - Print out full size images of all the equipment you will install, even future equipment.
3 - Tape the images to the cheap wood panel where you think they should go.
4 - Sit in a chair where your seat will be in the cockpit with the wood panel in front and do procedures you normally do while flying.
5 - See how natural/un-natural accessing the equipment is as you do these different procedures.
6 - Move the images until YOU are comfortable with their locations.

In my case this is what I came up with 12yrs ago. Accessing everything still feels so comfortable and natural. Making it ergonomically correct for you is huge in reducing your workload while flying. Especially single pilot IFR as in my case. Just my 2 cents.
View attachment 6322

BTW, this really helps you accomplish what jnmeade recommended:

Agree with above recomendations, I have been thorugh the process several times building panels for fellow aviators, and it really helps by the above options just sitting infron of the panel in your aircraft moving the images around, it can take quite some time to get it right.

 

[freerangequark]

This keeps my right hand on the stick. I really like that idea.

I'm not thrilled with the aesthetic, but I'll keep working on it.

 

[GalinHdz]

Have you tried working those controls with just your left hand to see how natural/un-natural it is for you to do, especially under some "stressful situation you might encounter while flying?

If it feels comfortable, then you next decision is aesthetics.

 

[Carl_Froehlich]

Something to consider. The panel cutouts for the modules are a PITA. On top of that trying to stack them such that they are butted together (are you show in your photo) translates to cutouts with little structure left.

I suggest a max of two modules on each side of the center display, with a little space between them for panel structure. If the Dynon radio is Comm #1, then it goes on the left with the knob panel. I find the autopilot module on the right (so right hand) works very well in my RV-8.

Carl

 

[freerangequark]

Have you tried working those controls with just your left hand to see how natural/un-natural it is for you to do, especially under some "stressful situation you might encounter while flying?

If it feels comfortable, then you next decision is aesthetics.

Not yet but it does seem it would be easier to get to with the left hand then having to switch hands off the stick to get to them with my right hand.

 

[PaulSS]

This keeps my right hand on the stick. I really like that idea.

I'm not thrilled with the aesthetic, but I'll keep working on it.View attachment 6342View attachment 6345View attachment 6346

Where's the throwing up emoji..........ah, there he is

 

[PaulSS]

Not yet but it does seem it would be easier to get to with the left hand then having to switch hands off the stick to get to them with my right hand.

That's why you're spending a shed load of dosh on an autopilot.

 

[jnmeade]

#3. You want to be able to see the radio screen while you are changing any radio controls, so you don't want your hand in the way, therefore the radio should be vertical if it's being manipulated with the left hand. Plus, you can brace your left pinky on the panel if you are trying to change the radio dial in turbulence.
Form follows function. Aesthetics is irrelevant.
I'd put the fuel pump and lights on the left bank of switches, the mags and battery on the right. You'll set the battery and mags with your right hand while you're starting the airplane. In starting and likely in an emergency, the three left switches (as I've relocated them) would all go up and with the left hand. The three right switches would likely not be touched after starting, except if you are doing an in-flight mag check or need to turn the battery off, in which case you'd have to pay the price of switching hands on the stick.

 

[Rhino]

Form follows function. Aesthetics is irrelevant.

Yeah, that.

 

[SV_Classic]

Not yet but it does seem it would be easier to get to with the left hand then having to switch hands off the stick to get to them with my right hand.

I like the third layout with the comm panel vertical so it's oriented differently from the two autopilot modules.

My panel was cut at a waterjet shop including the holes for the nutplates. I'd recommend nutplates for the three small modules as the design leaves no room behind them for a socket or other tool to get nuts on the back of the screws. With a waterjet machine cutting the panel and nutplates for the screws, you'll be able to get away with packing everything more closely together.

 

[freerangequark]

I like the third layout with the comm panel vertical so it's oriented differently from the two autopilot modules.

My panel was cut at a waterjet shop including the holes for the nutplates. I'd recommend nutplates for the three small modules as the design leaves no room behind them for a socket or other tool to get nuts on the back of the screws. With a waterjet machine cutting the panel and nutplates for the screws, you'll be able to get away with packing everything more closely together.

It's also worth mentioning that while the units are adjacent as viewed, this is only showing the size of the bezel which sits aft the panel plane. The actual panel cutout is smaller. This leaves connected panel material between the units.

Thanks!

 

[MikeD]

I like #3! Consider changing the switch face plates to white lettering on a black background to match the Dynon face plates

 

[Niall Leslie]

Hi,
I'm looking to get some feedback from experienced Skyview users.
I'm designing the panel for my current project which is a day/night VFR tandem seat, open cockpit, experimental. left hand throttle and right hand on the stick.
I have a Skyview Touch that was given to me for this project. I plan on also purchasing two-axis autopilot servos, the Dynon Comm, Dynon knob panel, Dynon Autopilot control panel, PS Engineering High Noise Environment intercom.

The Intercom and Autopilot panel are not in my concept model yet.

Some questions:

2. The Skyview will be centered on the panel. I have space on either the left or right side for the Comm, Knobs, AP Panel, and Intercom.
3. I was thinking Comm and Intercom should be on the left side of the Skyview and Knobs, and Autopilot panels on the right. Any reason to consider a different layout?
4. Any comments about how useful the Autopilot panel would be for me? One thing it might do is offer some symmetry to the panel if I place the intercom to the left of the comm


Also... Will the Skyview "touch" features work with a generic glove? Or do I need the kind of gloves specifically suited for use with touch screens?

If you are interested, I have a new pair of the A/P servo's etc. for sale.
There are SV32, SV42 servo's, 1159480 connection box and Skyview, pitch and roll wiring harnesses.
All were Pipistrel factory installed in error on my Sinus and removed after 1.5 hrs. of factory test flight.
niall1.leslie@gmail.com

 

[freerangequark]

If you are interested, I have a new pair of the A/P servo's etc. for sale.
There are SV32, SV42 servo's, 1159480 connection box and Skyview, pitch and roll wiring harnesses.
All were Pipistrel factory installed in error on my Sinus and removed after 1.5 hrs. of factory test flight.
niall1.leslie@gmail.com

@Niall Leslie
Unfortunately the capstan model won't work for my application.
Just out of curiosity, why a capstan servo? My wife's Virus has AP and both are arm drive just fwd of the parachute.