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>>>>> On Fri, 24 May 2002, "danobrien" == danobrien@cox.net wrote:
danobrien> I am interested in builders' opinions about having all
danobrien> electric gyros instead of the more standard system with
danobrien> vacuum driven heading and attitude indicators and an
danobrien> electric turn coordinator.
Way too early to commit, but my preference would be no vacuum
because (you guessed it) vacuum sucks.
I've talked with a few friends about doing this and the consensus
seems to be dual alternators, dual batteries and (maybe) dual bus.
I'm considering something like the Blue Mountain EFIS/One with either
EFIS/Lite or traditional (but electric) steam gauge for backup. If
I find it affordable I'd really like to put an EFIS in front of each
seat. Assuming it's possible to fly by referencing the EFIS at the
other station I wouldn't need additional backup (for the instruments).
This would also grant the advantage of being able to fly solo from
either seat (assuming I'm careful with switch locations). I'm still
not happy about the idea of stick in left hand and throttle in right.
Just seems wrong -- as does flying solo from the right seat (another
way to allow flying with my right hand). Of course, two EFIS/One's
would mean about $20,000 just for flight instruments.
A cheaper alternative I'm considering is all electric steam gauge
instruments (still more expensive than vacuum gyros) with backup
alternator and battery. Still have the potential for partial panel.
The whiteboard in my office has a schematic a friend (pilot and
electronics type) sketched for providing automatic fail-over from the
primary to backup alternator; that's about as far as it's gone.
p.s. Have any other Legacy builders considered dual throttle
quadrants so you can sit in the left seat and still have the throttle
in you left hand? Or have you considered setting up your plane for
solo from the right seat? It's just that every other stick controlled
airplane I've flown let me fly with my right hand, and I like it that
way -- especially for aerobatics and landings (and may the twain never
meet).
-------------------
Paul Davis
pdavis@bmc.com
Phone 713-918-1550
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Nullus est liber tam malus ut non aliqua parte prosit
There is no book so bad that it is not profitable in some part
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