Instrument Panel & 337's

[jkvincent]

A couple of questions because I might be changing directions with respect to my new instrument panel. Question #1... In simple terms, what would be the sequence of events for getting my new panel done? for example, do I draw up a drawing first, talk to FSDO, file a 337, have it approved, actually do the work, have an A&P sign-off, have an IA inspect it, ...??? Question #2... If I use a stock 7AC blank instrument panel an just re-arrange instruments, radio & tranponder, would that also be a 337 ? thanks in advance for the help, Jim

[Mnflyer]

Hi Jim, on question #1 draw out the instrument panel you want on a piece of construction paper / cardboard and take it to you A&P / IA and see what he says, it up to the A&P / IA to write up the 337 and approve it and then submit it to the FSDO for their approval(the mechanic will most likely talk to them before submitting it to see if it will work.
#2 if you use a standard blank panel you could pretty much lay it out any way you want here again start with some construction paper first, there is also a radio panel available for the Champs that is higher and has cut outs for radios.

[jlwright]

Do you know who sells the extended Champ panel with radio cut-outs.

Jim

[Mnflyer]

Hi try Wag-Aero page 88 in Jan 2007 cat. item#5390, its actually for the 7ECA etc price is $116.60.

[Orlan H Franks]

Before you get to far down the line thinking of panel mounted radios, etc. take a good look behind your existing 7AC panel and the "driver" side of the COWL TANK. There is about 5" max depth between the panel back and the tank. You will have to reroute air pitot pressure line and static air lines to instruments needing same. Synthetic lines will provided needed flex for routing than the original aluminum tubing.

There is a small impression on some 7AC cowl tanks immediately behind the needle-and-ball instrument position. At this 2nd panel hole from the right, next to the airspeed, there is another 1/2" availble depth due to a small impression manufactured in some original cowl tanks. The N&B is coming out and I will use this extra 1/2" depth to make the cable turn-out for a SIGtronics LS 200 intercom mounted in a new 2-1/4" hole left of the airpeed. The SIG 200 panel mount is plastic, but very stout. The SIG 200 intercom is a very light weight unti that can easily powered by a small lead-acid or gel cell added for comm hardware. The mono model consumes 50% of the amperage of the stereo SIG 200S.

[Robert Henley]

Jim Vincent

What type of T&B did you install in your Champ - vacuum or electric? How does it fit in th panel and how much clearance do you have behind the panel? I would like to install an electric T&B but I need 6 inches of clearance.

Regards

Robert

[jkvincent]

Robert,
I had an electric T&B, but it needed to be rebuilt but I didn't want to spend the 2-3 hundred bucks to have that done.
I was also interested in putting my Champ on a diet and it saved 2-3 lbs.
So I pulled it and stuck in only a Ball (inclin-o-meter), went with the (plain, no numbers) flush panel mounted style,
numbers are for Sailboats.
Jim

[Paul Agaliotis]

AS Orlan pointed out the nose tank prohibits addition of radio's and instruments. The lay-out of the stock panel is hard to beat. The installation of gyro instruments is added weight along with(my favorite) a VSI. The small skid indicator is enough for the students to build coordination.
Our flight school airplanes use the radio box mounted on the front floor. It doubles as the battery mount and a chart/storage area.
Paul

[Robert Henley]

Jim & Paul

Okay, I will go with the inclinometer. I haven't determined yet what I want to do for avionics. I want to install permanently a com and transponder. I will use a handheld GPS.

Robert