New Garmin Panel ideas

[Bruce Byerly]

Sooooo, inspired by Steve and Adam, I have decided to invest in yet another Commander and have picked a 500S as the vehicle of choice to fly.  What started as a minor panel upgrade has grown to a new panel fantasy. Has anyone done a new panel in a 500 lately? 

I worked closely with the buyer of this 500 and the panel work and it remains the one I like best.

What would you do differently?

[Bruce Byerly]

A couple more pics I've found:

[Jfelipe.rojasr]

Hi Bruce

The first cockpit is awesome looks really nice, since I’m starting on business please correct me if I’m wrong but, It is not required or suggested to have an attitude indicator self powered as backup from your PFD´s.

I have known an interesting solution with the Garmin G5 attitude indicator https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/570665 for almost $3,600 USD that I would use on the cockpit presented.

Kind regards

[donv]

I like the first panel. Of course, I'd do a Garmin 750/650 setup, which also lets you get rid of the separate heads for the audio panel and transponder. I'd probably leave the old instruments on the right side, but that's just me.

[Adam Frisch]

I like the first, too. But I'm a sucker for tan or coffee-with-cream colored panels and interiors.

[JimC]

It is not required or suggested to have an attitude indicator self powered as backup from your PFD´s

It's there. Look directly beneath the G500, just behind the yoke. You can see the light blue of the top of the AI.

[Steve binnette]

Bruce check out what a buddy did to his 421.  Look at copilot side.

Those are two Garmin portables.  To me it looks like a little G600! 

The variation on displays is fantastic.  From basic six pack to full SV from different angles.

[Bruce Byerly]

Ooooh - I like that right side Garmin portable idea Steve.  I was thinking iPad.

I started with the G5 and it snowballed from there Felipe!

The 500S  is a 6,750 lb plane so I don't think the G5 qualifies even as a back up sadly. 

The plane has no RH side instruments currently.  I'll have to post up a pic and the latest thought.  Want to do it once and even when you think you've thought of everything, something else pops up or someone has a good idea and, well, you know how slippery this slope is ...

[Steve binnette]

It's a really cool setup, looks very nice and not crazy expensive.

We did get a red X on attitude when we did a 180 degree steep turn at about 45 degrees

[Jeff Johnson]

I thought about re doing mine too.

But turned into a rabbit hole and I gave up

Better to fly than stuck in the avionics shop.

Especially when everything works perfect

If I was to do a panel upgrade it would be the aspen displays with 2 avidyne 650???

That's my input

[Bruce Byerly]

The avionics guru also suggested the Aspen.  It will run the Century III.  I can't afford to replace the AP nor am I sure I want to have a rate based AP in place of a good Century III.  We'll see.  But the plane has the panel removed already so now is the time.  The rabbit hole was half dug!  I was worried I many not like the Aspen as well as the G600's that I've come to appreciate.  I'm sure I would do the Aspen if the plane was put together for starters.

[Huck-Mag]

Bruce,

I am finishing up the upgrade for my 680FL, three weeks only turned into a couple of months.  It is a combination of old and new. 

I kept the Garmin 530W, added the Aspen 1000 Pro with AOA, added L3 NGT9000 and Stormscope, and had the Bendix M-4C box and all servos overhauled by a retired Bendix guru.  There really wasn't an alternative on the autopilot.  I also moved the engine gauges to the top panel and installed a JPI 760 and Shadin Fuel Flow gauge.  The electrical system was completely inspected and re-wired as needed.  I panel mounted the Garmin 696 that I already had.  I fly with ForeFlight on my iPad.

I am to get the bird back on Wednesday.  In reaching the combo of old and new, I gave some consideration to the panel in the Cessna T-210 I also have.  I previously went with a Garmin 345 in it and it has performed admirably, with Garmin 430W installed. 

Here are a couple of quick photos taken.  Not the best quality but you will get the idea.

Brent
1966 680FL
N742W

[Bruce Byerly]

Brent - just saw this - that is looking good!  Is yours IO-720 powered?

[Huck-Mag]

I've got the gears! IGSO-540's

It's just coming out of annual and I'm anxious to start using the new toys.

Even the BC on the Bendix 4-C auto-pilot is suppose to work. :-o

We will see.

Brent

[Bruce Byerly]

Back course?!?  I might have to seek counseling if I had to make one of those work in the soup!  It's been sooooo long.  Right now I'm thinking of ditching the second nav indicator to clean up the panel but having a hard time with the concept of not having a second glideslope ...

IGSO's - would be interested to know it performs.  I don't remember ever flying one other than the 400hp conversions. Does yours have bigger props?