Thorp Air Command - T18.net

I'm new to Thorps and new to experimental aircraft, I have stayed away from glass do to price for certified aircraft, I see now that it is much more affordable for homebuilts, I been looking at Dynon efis D-60, at $1900 it looks pretty good as a replacement for the standard six pack and to save weight, are there other units I should be looking at? What are my options for budget glass? I like simple and lightweight
Thank you for your help

The only Experimental aircraft at KGNC

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John Letkeman
N2562K SN.922
Seminole Tx
(KGNC)

John, I bought an MGL xTreme EMS and I think I'll be happy with it. (Haven't flown with it yet.) In retrospect I kind of wish I bought the mini-EFIS which includes the EMS functionality, but my airplane came with a six-pack of steam.

The new, modern instruments are perfect for small panels like ours. You can consolidate SO much information into one or two small displays. Makes for a nice clean panel and cleaner wiring as well.

D

I think all the different major EFIS brands are very good platforms. You just have to sit down and decide what you like best. I dont think there is much difference in any of them at the end of the day. That was my takeaway when I did my shopping anyway.

Ryan, how much weight did you loose doing your panel upgrade?

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John Letkeman
N2562K SN.922
Seminole Tx
(KGNC)

Guy's I'm quite honestly a steam gauge guy. I like to see needles moving. My current Thorp is glass, that being said the weight savings advantage of going from steam to glass is very inticeing. However, if your interested in saving weight there are several easier and cheaper ways to go. The first one that comes to mind is the battery.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

In a nutshell consider what you have. I glass thorp goes for 35k, a good steam gauge thorp still goes for 35k. I steam rv goes for 35-45 ... Glass 60+. Do the math, if it works don't change it, you will not get the ROI.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

John, I'm not sure really. I put in a bigger motor about the same time I replaced my panel stuffed full of steam gauges. I bet that old panel full of steam gauges weighed 25 pounds. Here is a couple of shots of my old panel. It was beautiful. ( I didnt build it)

If a person is starting fresh and had to buy either steam or glass, I think the cost is about a wash. So given that, the glass would win out from the weight savings perspective.

I personally like steam gauges. But glass is just the way of the future. I still like VHS but just try to find a way to play a VHS tape! I think steam gauges are going the same way.

A Dynon D180 will get you everything you need. Combo engine and EFIS unit

Bottom line both work, if you go used, steam is still cheaper and if power is lost you still have info, if glass goes out could be a problem, steam will be around for a long time, it works for me.

Lance

I'm with ya' Lance... I'm just an old fashioned guy I guess, but I like the look & "feel" of steam gauges. When I first started my new project (Kitfox), I found that I could actually do a basic VFR panel cheaper with "real" gauges vs. glass. That was with all new instruments, but may not be the case now. I know you get a lot more bang for the buck, but that's not important to me. I don't need or want all the whistles & bells. I do realize that I'm probably an anomaly. Glass is the future - here today - but I'm resisting the future a little with my last airplane build. It works for me too!

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John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

I have no artificial horizon or directional gyro, no vacuum pump and no panel lights, my thinking is if I install something like the D-60 I can solve all this and lose weight doing it, I also plan on replacing the 27lbs Gill G35 with a 15lbs Odyssey CP680, and upgrading to lighter weight starter and alternator,

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John Letkeman
N2562K SN.922
Seminole Tx
(KGNC)

In hindsight, I wish I would have left my panel as it was, and simply replaced the AI with a Dynon D10A. I would have put a Dynon D10EMS in another hole...likely where the Narco 122 was. I could have upgraded my radios and transponder with small (maybe none) changes to the panel itself.

John
I tried replying to your PM, but I'm not sure my response is making it through. I sold all that gear years ago, or I would have given you whatever you wanted. It wasn't worth selling it for what I got for that stuff.

Thanks Ryan, I did get the message I was just away from my computer

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John Letkeman
N2562K SN.922
Seminole Tx
(KGNC)