I’ve seen a number of Sonex’s now that have a small ball shaped magnetic compass hanging from the windshield bow, I can’t seem to find a picture of it now and it does not seem to be listed on Wicks or Spruce.
Anybody know what compass this is and where I could get one?
No it's much smaller than that. it just looks like a small marble (3/4" diameter or so) hanging off a stick from the windshield bow. I believe at least one of the factory planes has one like this installed but for some reason I just can't find a picture, I'll keep looking...
Re: What compass?
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 8:16 pm
by rizzz
It is very similar to this one on the factory Onex, just a little smaller and hangs off the windshield bow, this one seems to be attached to the windshield itself:
Re: What compass?
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 8:24 pm
by rizzz
I believe this is the one, could not find a picture but a video is just as good:
Anybody know where I could find one of these?
Re: What compass?
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 8:51 pm
by tonyr
Gettting one for the Southern Hemisphere might be a job, seems to be plenty around that are similar in style for marine and automotive.. I googled "marine ball compass windshield" Part number 55558 seems promising if you can find one that is suspended rather than dash mount... oh and southern hemisphere
Re: What compass?
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 8:52 pm
by Bryan Cotton
I suspect the aviation aisle of the local auto parts store, walmart, or similar. I believe they said as much in the class.
Re: What compass?
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 9:31 pm
by MichaelFarley56
I have a similar one from the local AutoZone. It has a suction cup that sticks to the windshield. Super cheap but works just fine.
Re: What compass?
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 9:35 pm
by rizzz
Thanks all, I'll go have a look in the local boat and auto stores, see what I can find.
Re: What compass?
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:39 pm
by radfordc
Do you guys really use a compass to fly with? If my GPS goes out I'm lost!
Actually, the day I flew my Sonex home to Kansas from Detroit my GPS did quit working for a while (strangely, both GPS's lost the signal at the same time for about 20 minutes or so). I was in eastern Missouri when it went out. At the time the plane had some sort of digital compass that wasn't working. I knew where I was and where I needed to go and could judge my heading by the sun. I also knew if I continued to fly east I would hit the Missouri river and then I could follow it down stream to my airport.
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 7:37 pm