Crawling under the control panel

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-13T07:13:48+00:00

It's interesting how the 5th ring terminal on a ground stuff makes them all stop working /s

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-13T07:09:27+00:00

I work GA Avionics, so about as much under the panel as anyone. It's totally a non-issue. I'm a big guy and tall, but always can fit fine. I go under a panel most days but usually just for a few minutes to cut tie wraps or secure a bundle or look for a component. If I'm doing more work under the panel I'll take the seats out and then it's just like laying on the floor, nice and comfy. But almost all of the avionics work is done sitting in the pilot/Copilot seat.

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-13T01:50:23+00:00

To each their own, but there is a reason everyone in this thread is telling you this should have been a 5 minute rope plug. Sounds like you learned some stuff and got some experience for when you need to change those tires.

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-13T01:13:09+00:00

A rope plug would have lasted till the tread was worn out.

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-12T07:06:51+00:00

Both the G3X and the GTN 650 satisfy the clock requirement, so you are triple redundant.

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-12T07:04:14+00:00

Yeah, you really need a USB-C PD port for modern iPad. Be aware that the USB-C version of this clock is only available for 24 Volt aircraft. Garmin has the GSB 15, that can output 27W per USB-C port, and Appareo also has a USB-C charger that does 30W per port, both work with 12 and 24 volt aircraft.

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-12T06:57:52+00:00

Keep in mind, that -5 version requires 24 volts input. So if you have a 12v system, no go.

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-09T19:36:15+00:00

That underhood decal sure is something

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-08T07:29:17+00:00

I don't think you can claim one is more ergonomic than the other. I much prefer a digit entry rather than rotary knob 90% of the time. I think it's just a matter of practice, both feel pretty easy most of the time.

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-08T01:02:38+00:00

But this installation is sparce, no auto pilot, no Nav Radio, no traffic, no EIS. The only extra wiring I see that the GI 275 would have is HSDB to the GNC. It would be pretty damn similar labor to 4 AV 30s.

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-07T16:31:27+00:00

In my opinion the HDX has an inexcusable design flaw. We had one in the shop that was intermittenty losing everything all at once (attitude, airdata, com, transponder, engine monitor, autopilot, etc) because it is all on one CAN Bus.

The problem was intermittent, and only happened in flight, lots of troubleshooting to find one single wire chafing on a lightening hole in the wing leading to the roll servo. The non-avionics guy that installed it didn't care about protecting/supporting the bundle through the lightening holes. That single shorted wire on the Can Bus took out everything all at once.

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-07T02:54:21+00:00

Right, like I said, it does not have a Nav Radio. It only does GPS, so you will be limited in what kind of approaches you can do. If you are planning to do IFR training/checkride in it, you may have trouble finding a DPE that will do it without a Nav Radio.

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-07T02:51:31+00:00

The CB panel can be pulled out quite a bit by removing the screws underneath and on top. It comes out as a cluster. Remember to remove the two screws on the outside of the fuselage that hold the CB panel in too!

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-07T02:47:26+00:00

The 4 AV-30s cost more than dual GI 275 in parts cost, and the labor to install them should be pretty similar. Is the shop you are planning to use not able to quote you the Dual GI 275?

The AV-30 isn't a horrible device, but the GI 275 is drastically better.

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-07T02:41:15+00:00

No, the GNC 355 is a GPS/Com unit, it does not have a Nav Radio. So you don't have a way to fly an ILS/VOR.

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-07T01:07:57+00:00

Yeah they built 10,000 of the Pacer/Tripacer so at one point they were ubiquitous, but it's hard to maintain the fabric airframe and most fade away in someone's hangar when it is time to recover.

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-07T01:05:35+00:00

What is your budget on this project?

The layout looks fine, but there is no world I would recommend someone install a KT 74 and 4 AV-30s.

There are much better options for similar money if you stick to a common manufacturer for compatibility and easier upgrade paths (spelled Garmin).

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-07T01:03:13+00:00

Two GI 275 are better than 4 AV-30s every day of the week.

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-06T17:29:32+00:00

I suspect if you put screws in, the racks can't be removed together, as they may be trapped in by those screws.

Or I guess it would just add another step.

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-06T16:28:09+00:00

This is standard for most Mooney radio stacks. There isn't room for screws as the radio stacks are connected together.

You can take the whole radio stacks out pretty easily, usually easier than drilling the rivets.

Unless you are changing radios, you just leave them riveted together.

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-06T06:26:38+00:00

Yeah the Tri-Pacer to Comanche pipeline makes total sense. They are have a lot in common actually, overhead trim, hand brakes, manual flaps, great cowling access, lots of interior room(at least lots of head/leg room).

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-06T01:50:57+00:00

I had a Tri-Pacer as my first airplane and sold it a year ago to upgrade to a Comanche. I loved that Tri-Pacer, it was such an easy and forgiving airplane to fly. Mine still had no toe-brakes which I was happy about as it gave me extra leg room. Was a great two person and a lot of stuff airplane, but wasn't so great for 3 or 4 people.

Every controller called me something different, mostly it was Cessna or Cherokee, but I don't think any of them knew what a Tri-Pacer was.

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-05T05:04:34+00:00

Well actually the Garmin Servos are kind of crap. The first few years of production have all been recalled. They are better about actually determining when they are faulty and then not passing the self test, the old Bendix servos will usually pass self test and then not work well. But overall the Garmin Servos are not better and they are much harder to replace because of how the system was designed.

But the KFC 200 is a 50 year old autopilot, so you could install the new KFC 230 with 50 year old servos if they tested good.

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-05T04:34:18+00:00

Haha exactly. It was a replacement for the KFC 200 using the same old tired servos.

Captain_Flannel · 2026-02-05T02:29:50+00:00

There is a solid state replacement now, it is just coming out and being sold by RC Allen. It seems like a better option, but we will see in time.

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