Cotton Waiex 191 - N191YX

[Bryan Cotton]

Adam finished up the subpanel:


Not sure if I should install the KT76A old school transponder or just wait until I have the budget to get something ADSB compliant. Also I am thinking of centering the throttle in the subpanel, and then installing mixture and trim as I move right. That will leave the whole left subpanel for switches and breakers.

[MichaelFarley56]

One small thought Bryan; if you install the transponder there on the main panel, the box will be mounted at an angle (it looks like you went per the plans and have the standard angled panel). As such, I don't know if your nav/com box will fit underneath on the sub panel. The trays for each may interfere with each other.

The panel is looking great though! Is the engine now mounted to the airframe?

[Darick]

Bryan, it looks like your equipment may be too close to the bottom. I originally placed things too close to the bottom of the panel. The space is limited by the horizontal piece that goes across the bottom. 1-3/16 up from the bottom of the panel is where I placed the my radio and transponder and even then I had to file a small notch on that horizontal piece. However I was able to squeeze my rocker switches into that lower area.

Looking good!

Darick

[builderflyer]

Bryan, re your panel,

A couple of comments..........First, I believe the turn coordinator will have to be mounted vertically to function properly so placing it on the sloping panel may not work for you. Incidentally, I've just installed the Belite all electronic turn cordinator in my Sonex (vertically) but haven't yet flown with it in that aircraft. I first tested it in a Cessna (side by side with its turn coordinator) and those tests resulted in Belite having to make modifications to the firmware and it appears to be working fine now that those changes have been made.

Second, if you are going with the GT-50 as your g-meter, you'll find that it can be compensated for being mounted on the sloping panel. I've had one of these units installed in my Sonex since they first became available and its a great device. Otherwise, other g-meters may not give accurate results when installed on the slope.

Hope this helps,

Art,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Sonex taildragger #95,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Jab3300 #261

[Bryan Cotton]

Thanks guys, I was thinking about those interferences and have not come up with a final plan. Mike the motor is mounted but not with locknuts yet. I will probably pull it back off to work firewall penetrations.

Art, I have a plan to mount the G meter and TC vertically. My G meter is old school.

[Bryan Cotton]

It was mentioned that some of the instruments need to be vertical. I had this vision of making a recess in the panel for that purpose. First, here is my flat pattern:



I executed the prototype in flashing. Then I bent it up, flycut out the center hole and drilled the mount holes. Would have been better to flycut then bend!



I used a piece of lexan to simulate the panel.



Even from cross cockpit I could see it easily. Here is a close-up:



And a view from inside:


I will do this to the G meter. Will probably do it to the CDI as well, for clearance purposes.

[Bryan Cotton]

Adam learns the fine art of hacking big scary holes in structure.



Like Johnny said in the Shining, you can't make an omelet if you don't break some eggs. Then comes the filing to get the teeth off:


I call that shot the YX Files - soon to be a major YouTube show.

[Bryan Cotton]

Here is my updated flat pattern:


Adam marked holes using our model, and he updrilled the two lighter holes.

[Bryan Cotton]

Adam updrilled a bunch of breaker and switch holes. The breaker switches we have use two flats to prevent rotation. He had to finish those with a file. He also drilled the intercom holes to size. I made the CDI mount.


The pink thing is Matthew's first hovercraft rudder. We had just fiberglassed it.

[Bryan Cotton]

Adam cut holes in the subpanel for the radio and transponder.



I bent up a couple more instrument mounts:


Here is how the mounts will go:


Here is the subpanel: