Garmin has a new small form AHRS from their experimental team that looks awesome.

What are the rules on putting that in an empty hole in the panel of a certified plane. Assuming you meet all the other requirements with your certified instruments, is it legal to have an experimental 'backup' in the panel?

Seems no different than velcroing an iPad to your panel but I acknowledge I don't know the rules on these things.

The ultimate example would be could I legally replace the backup 6 pack in front of the right seat of my plane with a G3 touch.

Isn't rule that it has to be portable, i.e. detachable? I could be wrong.

I can't wait for part 23 rewrite so we can chuck some competitive stuff in there. Although certified avionics prices have come down, still way too expensive.

Not if the backup is required by, say, the installation of a PFD system.

Not if the backup touches the aircraft systems like pitot or static.

Not if the backup is "permanently" installed.


Tablet is not required, doesn't touch pitot or static, is not permanently installed.

Mike C.

The "permanently installed" thing can be overcome by docking stations like Air Gizmo which will make your device removable but yet looking like an installed one. Many people have Dynon D2 EFIS mounted that way.

Tapping into pitot-static would be a problem, though...

It's legal! ... (IF the FAA approves it). And recently they have been leaning in that direction. I was at a study session a year ago at Oshkosh where FAA had a presentation on the correlation between the increase in glass cockpits, and the decrease in accidents caused by the lack of situational awareness. They were pretty convinced that the better panels had a lot to do with better accident stats.
I think FAA wants an excuse to say "yes" to more modern and inexpensive glass instrumentation. You see evidence of this in the proposed new Part 23 rules that would lower the bar for installing retrofit glass panels in older aircraft. It's been alluded to in a number of FAA papers published in the last few years as well. From what I am gathering from FAA, their unofficial/official position is this: glass is safer; it can only help if it is installed in the airplane. (So lower the cost so more systems are installed)
With this in mind, I submitted my 337 to install a Garmin G3X Touch system including the AOA option. (Another safety push at FAA). I didn't have the nerve to include the auto pilot system, and I agreed to give up IFR approval. I also retained all of the original instruments required by FARs, but there are really very few of those. So, what I'll end up with is a G3X Touch system with a GTN750, and a second remote com in the G3X, with a 345 transponder for the ADS-B duties. I plan to use a Minnie iPad, and an Xpad Blue Toothed via GarminPilot as well. There will be a lot of glass in this old Bo.
I discussed this installation with FISDO, and with ACO prior to submitting the 337. I asked for a coordinated field approval which is required if a flight manual supplement is required. (FISDO can't approve a FMS). I assumed that a FMS would need to be drafted and approved by FAA. (As did my guy at FISDO)
So, after waiting to hear if I can proceed for about two months.... My application was approved! Day/night VFR. And ACO determined that no FMS is required, only Garmin's Pilot Operating Guide supplied with the unit. I'm thrilled.
"ask and ye shall receive..."

Jim,

That's great!

Why did you "give up IFR approval"? Was that at the insistence of the FSDO?

This makes sense but, to have full capabilities would be optimum. The Fed needs to get real and maybe someday it will happen.

This is the greatest thing I've heard in a while, what's the process?

I may wait a little bit for the whole ball of wax but I really want twin screens and the autopilot and IFR approval in my P Baron. I think this is going to happen in the next few years!

I would really like an Astronics Max-Viz V-1. The tablet used for viewing could be portable but the camera would have to be hard mounted. Wonder if the camera could be put on the glareshield and not be mounted to the exterior of the plane?
Edit, the camera probably can't "see" through the windshield.

camera has to go on wing away from heat/thermal signature of engine/prop

i negotiated a sun-n-fun discount for the X1, they are running it this week of -$300 off retail price

Arlen, I gave up IFR for two reasons: I thought I needed to to get FAA to agree to an approval, and I don't fly IFR. So, no big deal to me. I've been asked if I would absoulutly have needed to give up IFR certification, and I don't know, but I suspect so. When you share airspace with 500 people in a 747, FAA wants to know that you are indeed where you think you are. My goal for this project is a lightweight, 6 place, simple and practical airplane. I am feeling like I'm on the way to that. Jim

Friend just got field approval for Dynon D-1000 in his C-310-R
As long as the certified gauges that came with the plane are in pilots view

So you have a 750. Could you not file /G and rely on the uncertified gauges. You still have the certified legacy gauges in the plane.

Perhaps they would want the 750 tied to a certified indicator.

I am talking way above my pay grade and understanding, but isn't this a step in the right direction.

put that same combo in an RV and you can fly it IFR

put that same combo in an RV and you can fly it IFR