> Ex-judge, now of Diamondhead, dies in plane crash
It grieves me that we've
lost yet another brother. I've followed this list for several years now
and come to rely on the opinions and experiences of our list community. Yet,
I am disturbed.
In full Monday morning
quarterback mode, I’d like to put out some thoughts.
From the linked photos, there
appears to be a non-certified Blue Mountain EFIS/ONE in the panel mock-up, but the installed panel shows an
equally non-certified Dynon EFIS-D10 and a Garmin GPSMAP196. Neither the
Garmin or Dynon electronic displays are recommended for IFR flight or even as
primary instruments in VFR (without back-up -Dynon). There is no AI
backup. I don't see a wet compass at all. Also out of the normal scan
range is what appears to be an altimeter and airspeed indicator on the
passenger side. IMHO, this panel was seriously deficient.
Let me pose
a hypothetical situation. Cruising along VFR using autopilot/Garmin GNS4xx
correctly set and flying straight, level and on course, the aircraft encounters
the smooth backside of IMC. Conditions quickly deteriorate due to the
speed of the aircraft, the rate-based autopilot kicks off due to turbulence and
the pilot tries to transition to panel, slow the aircraft and reverse course.
So far, the standard VFR into IMC scenario.
Using the
panel equipped as 511WD, the pilot is at a serious instrument disadvantage because:
1) Both displays are very small, so reading and interpreting the instruments in
turbulence is almost impossible. 2) Neither display can keep up with abrupt
attitude/altitude diversions because of internal gyro rate limitations and/or 3)
reboot/fail outright because plastic planes and cold clouds are ideal conditions
for static discharge. So for all intents, there are no primary
instruments. 4) The few conventional instruments that are installed are spaced
across the width of the panel requiring constant head and neck movement.
In a turn, this leads to spatial disorientation. The odds are stacked against
a successful outcome - high time IFR-rated or not.
How many knowledgeable
aviation people saw this panel before it was installed? Didn't someone
try to suggest a more complete panel or am I the only one that has a problem
with inexpensive, stand-alone devices as primary flight displays? With
complex, fast and capable planes such as the Legacy or IV, inadvertent entry
into IMC is a distinct probability and IMHO these panels should be equipped for
IFR with appropriate ratings to go with them. Of course, only God can protect
you if you fly into a severe thunderstorm.
I am not
advocating using only certified instruments or PFDs, nor am I promoting/dissing
any experimental product, but using a larger, more capable, integrated PFD (with
a reasonable amount of redundancy) or a standard 6-Pack + wet compass may have
increased the pilot’s chances.
If my
ramblings here have made ONE person reassess the competency of their panel and
change it for the better, I will gladly keep the
Flame suit -
ON
Richard
Freilich