Well, time to start installing the new Garmin stuff. The tail is ready for the magnetometer and autopilot servo. The #2 comm is in stock along with the autopilot controller and servos. The servos are amazingly light and small. The dual screens should be at the shop by Thursday. Going back together now.

Feels like Christmas morning, right?

It is good Luc, more like Thanksgiving - Christmas comes when the dual screens light up for the first time.

One thing that is interesting: My installer says this is the first airplane he has done in 15 years that it will be easier to install the new panel vs removing the old panel. He says the new CAN system of hooking up the avionics and autopilot is a cake walk. It basically has a "backbone" of wiring (think ethernet cable) and you simply plug into the backbone to connect everything. He says the weight savings in wiring alone is probably 10 lbs. I think I am going to drop 35 lbs total and gain much more function. That is pretty incredible considering that I had 530/430w and an altitude preselect autopilot!

One thing is for sure - this is the best built Glasair on the planet. The attention to detail on everything is excellent. They used all metal lines for pitot/static and overbuilt everything. Neat airplane!

CAN BUS systems used extensively in the agricultural and trucking industries for daisy chain type communications.
Saves a lot of weight and labor.
Also makes trouble shooting much easier.

Yes, supposedly the autopilot will not only check itself, it will tell you on the screen precisely what the failure is so you can simply swap parts or check the single connection. I am very excited about the autopilot in the plane. No more factory gain settings and $2500 gyros, etc. The servos are all the same and are adjusted through on screen software. Very simple and good design.

Any updates to the progress Todd?

I forgot to take pictures, but it is coming along. All the engine sensors are in place, autopilot servos mounted and connected, and center rack wiring done. The panel are being cut for the G3X displays and then they will powder coat them and then silk screen the labels. It took them about 50 hours just to remove all the wiring and hardware. I wanted a complete strip with no old wires or hardware left in the plane.

Can't wait to see the finished product Todd - Glad to hear it's moving along for you...

Almost done. Had the local auto interior shop fabricate me these nice boots to enclose the hole where the aileron torque tubes exit the cabin into the wheel wells. They are made of leather and the collars are 3 inch drain covers that I cut in half and removed the centers. I will glue the halves to the airframe and then use a hose clamp to attach the boot to the collars.

Not able to fly all this time?
Must be killing you!

It has been ok. I have been busy at work and my friend Brad is gracious enough to let me use the Bonanza I sold him when needed. The real bummer is that my panel is going to be about 1 day late from being done before I head out after Christmas to FL. I was looking forward to making the trip with the new G3X and autopilot setup. My new prop shipped today from Hartzell and should be here Monday.

The avionics shop quoted 80 hours to remove all the old equipment and install new everything. I think they have closer to 200 hours in it.

It has been ok. I have been busy at work and my friend Brad is gracious enough to let me use the Bonanza I sold him when needed. The real bummer is that my panel is going to be about 1 day late from being done before I head out after Christmas to FL. I was looking forward to making the trip with the new G3X and autopilot setup. My new prop shipped today from Hartzell and should be here Monday.

The avionics shop quoted 80 hours to remove all the old equipment and install new everything. I think they have closer to 200 hours in it.

Panel layout. I believe the panels were powder coated and silkscreened today. Very simple panel. 2 screens, 1 row of switches on the pilot side, all breakers on co-pilot side, along with heat and alt air. The center stack will have a single GTN650, autopilot controller, and #2 comm. The Transponder is remote and has ADS-B out and the GDL-39R completes the setup. The entire panel and autopilot is backed up by a lithium ion backup power supply that is automatic in function. It will run the entire panel for 1 hour after the main power fails. The screens are redundant and 100% capable from either side with backup ADHARS on both sides as well.

Also, I put the dual 2.1 AMP backlit USB ports on both sides above the headphone jacks. This seemed like a logical place keeping all wires in one place. I hated having the headset jacks in the back on the plane. Every Glasair I have seen has them back there and it makes no sense.

It has been ok. I have been busy at work and my friend Brad is gracious enough to let me use the Bonanza I sold him when needed. The real bummer is that my panel is going to be about 1 day late from being done before I head out after Christmas to FL. I was looking forward to making the trip with the new G3X and autopilot setup. My new prop shipped today from Hartzell and should be here Monday.

The avionics shop quoted 80 hours to remove all the old equipment and install new everything. I think they have closer to 200 hours in it.