Thorp Air Command - T18.net

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No, I am not a Russian pilot, but light blue was a favorite color. I would use gray next time like RB suggests, it would probably show fewer scratches. This is the panel I fly with, cut about 20 years ago, but updated many times. Started out with the six pack + VOR/GS and VOR as was common for the period. Now I use the basics along with an HP4700 Pda mounted front and center on a modified RAM yoke interfaced to a bluetooth GPS displaying APIC moving map software. Just above the moving map is the digital/graphic EIS I am rolling (thus all those loose wires hanging below the panel) which will allow the steam gauges to be redundant. My toggle switches have built in circuit breakers and additional circuit breakers are on the far right. I have a digital timer in view on the left. I'm not much for keys so I have mag switches and a starter button. The intercom as well as the Hobbs is way over on the right since I only use it once at the end of the flight. FWIW I have an ARC RT859A transponder, great transponder, but it has levers for setting the code which are much more difficult to operate than knobs. For night flying I have red LEDS built into the rolled edge protector (head slicer) of the panel eyebrow.
For anyone contemplating EFIS/EIS/EMS I would suggest looking at the offering from Sensornetics.com

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[b]Terry[/b]

OK, here is another panel revision. Does anyone see any issues or problems with this layout? The throttle, carb heat, mixture and primer will be hanging below the transponder.


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panel

Why not put the throttle and mixture on the left side where they are supposed to be? Stick in the right hand, throttle in the left.
GG

This looks to be a good set-up. If you put the throttle/mixture on the left and right hand on the stick, then it would make it a little difficult to change radio/transponder freq/codes with your set-up as it is. You would always be switching hands on the stick to do that. I suppose left side mounting would work if you have a new hire co-pilot to do radio chores !

If it was a single seat ship, I would prefer to do it that way (Ret. Navy). I would also mount the Comm/X-pndr on the left also. Right hand on the stick, left hand "doing other things !" [:p]

RB

If your plane is in trim, changing channels ain't a problem. That is 2500 Thorp hours speaking. If you intend to fly any formation, you'll curse the day you put the throttle in the middle.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

I considered a throttle quadrant on the left side but I decided I would rather have my backup instruments in front of me instead of my radio/xponder in reach of my left hand. I use my airplane for x-country rather than formation so that shouldnt be a problem for me either. I still may try and make it happen though. Thanks for the input.

Looks good on bench but.Where ever you put the throttle mixture and pitch, make sure you can pull full flap without handle hitting them.

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James Ball

Bob,
I am not much on cursing, so please enlighten me as to why the throttle should not be in the middle.

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[b]Terry[/b]

Do you have to have your right hand on the stick to fly formation??
Just curious.

There are a couple of reasons I prefer the stick in the right hand and throttle in the left. First and foremost to me is that I am 6" 1" tall and need all the room in the cockpit I can get. Anything below W.L. 42 gets in the way. I designed a miniature throttle quadrant that fits nicely on the left, mounted on the stringer. The cables go beside the tank, out of the way should one have the unenviable task of removing it. Plans for my setup have been provided in past newsletters.

I am right handed and all of the fighters I flew in the Air Force were laid out with the throttle on the left to place the stick in the dominate hand. Yes, I can fly formation left handed, but see no need to do so.

Probably the most compelling reason to do away with the panel mounted engine controls when flying formation is that they are direct connections to the carb and are very sensitive to inputs compared to the 2 to 1 movement of my throttle quadrant. Some setups even employ a vernier throttle! This is more than an annoyance; it is dangerous when flying close formation.

Just my two cents!

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL