Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Guys,

I was wondering if anyone has a compass mounted to the bar that goes from the roll bar to the top of the instrument panel. I ask because I have a magnesyn compass with the remote under the baggage compartment and was looking to ditch the weight. I want to install an AOA meter in the hole but this would mean installing a whiskey compass on the bar mentioned. My panel is full. To me it seems like it would be too much in my face. If anyone else has a compass there I would like to hear about how they like or dislike this.
Thanks,

Jim Mantyla
C-GFPB, #558

I have one there. I dont even notice it.

Image Insert:


Interior

That depends on what your roll bar is made of.... is it steel or aluminum? Aluminum - compass ok.....steel -compass not such a good idea.

_________________
Dean Cuke
Visalia, California
N772DM
KVIS

Have you thought about one of the panel mount vertical compass cards to replace the one you now have ? AOA unit can be a compact vertical led gauge if space is a factor. Can't remember the name of the outfit ? Might be in the back pages of Sport Aviation mag ? Not cheap !

RB

See my photos and look under the first one in the windshield install series. You will see one mounted that way. You have to modify the mount a bit to get it to install level, but it works. I ran the lighting wire in the tube.

With regard to AOA gage: pretty useless in an airplane as agile as the T-18. I flew one in RV and other than the "Gee Whiz" factor, I found it annoying. If you can't tell when you at high AOA, you need to recalibrate your butt.

_________________
Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Mine also is mounted on the center bar. See my pictures posted to this forum under DaveM. I never look at it, since both the GPS and the autopilot give me heading info that is much more accurate and steady. I wish the FAA would eliminate the requirement to have one--I just don't think they are necessary equipment these days.

_________________
Dave M
Sacramento
ex-T-18 owner

I used mine all the time to reset the directional gyro and flew 110 miles on mag heading, to get home, when the GPS wouldn't lock on.

I have one mounted farther up the center tube, like Bob's. It is not in the way at all.

_________________
Matt Smith
Des Moines, IA
55RC

Bob,

I agree with your" recalibrate your butt" comment. I only flew 14 hours this summer due to family and work issues and commitments. I flew 75 hrs the year before. I found that my landings with "porker" friends on board were not as consistent as when I flew solo. My strip is about 1700-1800 ft with a hill on it so I have to be pretty precise on the landing. I have a home made" Lift Reserve" indicator that I have used on other planes and thought that this would help to make the landings more consistent.

Jim

My compass is mounted to a frame attached to the dash. Below the bar it is out of the way there.

_________________
Victor J Thompson
C-GIRQ
"In Memory Of Dad"