Avionics / Panel

Do's and Don'ts

• Don't remove any material from the ribs supporting the glare shield. You need to place the instruments so that they go left, right or underneath the ribs.
• Don't remove the lowest part of the sub-panel to accommodate GPS units (the bottom part with its flange is structural). Rather cut a rectangular hole for the GPS with rounded corners to avoid stress into the sub-panel and reinforce the cut-out with angle brackets as mentioned in the build manual.
• Don't put your backup attitude indicator (e.g. a G5) out of sight (on the copilot side, down on the center console)
• Don't put your IFR-certified GPS out of sight (more than 45 degrees to the right, more than 30 degrees down), unless you install a full annunciator panel in sight.
• Do ensure you have more space than you need for the connectors. With the wires coming out you want roughly double the length of the connectors for the wires to make their curve.
• Do avoid putting anything between the sub panel and the firewall. Its really hard to get there once the plane is complete for inspection or repair.

Panel Builders

• Aerotronics www.aerotronics.com
• Stein Air www.steinair.com
• Midwest Panel Builders midwestpanels.com

Avionics Dealerships

• Aerotronics
• Aircraft Spruce
• List of Dynon Dealers
• Midwest Panel Builders Garmin
  New to RV-10. I sent them my entire upper forward Fuselage and they designed mounting shelves and mounted every component, designed the panel with my input and did all the wiring. I also purchased all my Garmin avionics from them. They produced schematics for me.
• Pacific Coast Avionics
• Sarasota
• Stein Air

Making Your Own Panel

• 2D CAD-File from Vans (DXF-format)
• 3D CAD-File from Vans (IGS-format)
• 2D CAD-Files from Garmin (DXF-format)
• 3D CAD-Files from Garmin (Step-format, most G3X, Audio and GPS instruments)
• Tools needed to wire a Garmin panel

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• Martin's CAD-designed Panel
  
  Hints:
  
  • Create an account and clone the project. OnShape is free if your files are public.
  • Web-based CAD software, no install necessary.
  • Use right mouse-button or two finger drag to rotate the panel.
  • For iPhone and iPad, install OnShape app.

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• Cutting Services
  
  Above panel laser cut: 0.040 6061:$54, 0.025 2024T3:$182 at sendcutsend.com
  $100 waterjet cut, e.g. at waterjetwest.com

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• Black Level 2 Anodizing
  
  e.g. $130 (minimum order value) at miramarmetalprocessing.com

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• A view behind my panel. No supports cut and nothing between the firewall and the sub panel.
• There is a panel on the right side to hold the remote COM. Nutplates on the bottom bar, and on the subpanel. The Engine box is top right. I'd put it an inch lower next time as the connectors are very tight.
• The radio stack is about as high as it can be.

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