Cheapest instruments package

[aeropup]

Hi All

I´d like to know your opinion in the following question:

Which is the shortest and cheapest list of instruments you´ll fly with?

Digital vs Analog war? All comments are welcome!

[MrMorden]

Hi All

I´d like to know your opinion in the following question:

Which is the shortest and cheapest list of instruments you´ll fly with?

Digital vs Analog war? All comments are welcome!

Airspeed, altitude, and a compass is really all you need. I personally would not fly without a GPS of some type unless I had no choice.

A radio is pretty useful too.

[FastEddieB]

Anecdotally, when I went to spec out my Sky Arrow, I was leaning towards basic steam gauges, which would have been fine.

Turns out the Dynon D10A at $2,700 was probably cheaper than steam gauge equivalents: turn needle and attitude for starters.

Anyway, very happy with my setup as it is:



I really like the simplicity, which was part of the appeal of Light Sport for me in the first place. When I see Light Sports with multiple glass screens, I just ask, "Why?"

BTW, when I ventured up to 13,500' to check performance (as seen in the photo) I still had my medical so was not limited to 10,000' as I am now.

[Wm.Ince]

Hi All
I´d like to know your opinion in the following question:
Which is the shortest and cheapest list of instruments you´ll fly with?
Digital vs Analog war? All comments are welcome!

Airspeed, altitude, and a compass is really all you need.

Agree with you Andy.
That withstanding, nothing replaces the ability to read a map well.

[dstclair]

Hi All
I´d like to know your opinion in the following question:
Which is the shortest and cheapest list of instruments you´ll fly with?
Digital vs Analog war? All comments are welcome!

Airspeed, altitude, and a compass is really all you need.

Agree with you Andy.

I'd add in a mount to allow for a tablet running the owner's choice of software.

[SportPilot]

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[Merlinspop]

Needle, ball, airspeed, altimeter, and compass plus engine instruments is what I would consider bare minimum. Practically, I would also want transponder, comm radio, and tablet.

For me, ALL of the above would be on my list. I also would do a lot of SFRA flying, so ADS-B out is also a must have.

The cost/weight/service life analysis of round gauges with needles vs a wonderbox with virtual depictions would play into my preference of presentation method.

So much is available for mobile devices that I wouldn't be inclined to commit to an installed mapping/navigation solution.

[Nomore767]

I have to say every time I see Eddie's cockpit and panel it reminds me of a military fighter! Really cool. I always look for the HUD, weapons display and the arming buttons. I wonder if Eddie has hidden them?

In answer to the thread question….I would select something like a Skyview Touch , either a 10" or the smaller 7" if space is cramped. One nice option in the Skyview (not sure if it's available on the Garmin G3X Touch) is the option to select a 'standard six' display. This gives you the traditional round dials 'look' on the latest, lighter weight and reliable, glass panel and alleviates the need for a vacuum system.

[Nomore767]

This is Skyview Touch with Six Pack selected

[bottleworks]

(I'm gone. Everything deleted! Can't stand the ignorant data spread here).

[Merlinspop]

I can understand not needing two, or more screens (yes, I've seen some installs with 3 units). That ventures back to the balance of cost vs the additional benefits and needs. Additional screen real estate may not be worth an additional unit. Maybe someone who tends to fly longer distances might consider dual screens more helpful vs a local only flyer.

I've had a few daydreaming arguments with myself over 1 vs 2 screen setups. I think it would be very nice to have 2 screens in a training environment. Useful also would be having one screen devoted to engine and systems. How much useful load does having a fully redundant second system, including attitude source and battery, eat up anyway? That would weigh heavily.

As for the redundancy offered by the second screen... Day VFR only... my ears can detect big RPM and airspeed excursions while my eyes are keeping track of attitude and altitude and my tablet and phone help to tell me where I am and where I'm going.

It's a fun thing to debate with myself about on my long commute.

[FastEddieB]

Point being, money shouldn't be the most important factor.

That comes across as a tiny bit elitist.

For many, money is a decidedly finite resource and plays a major factor in a purchase decision.

[Edgefly]

Aeropup,

I'll try to answer your questions as stated. We all will probably have different answers given different scenarios. So first, I'll say that your phrase, "Fly with" means just that and that this is not just within gliding distance of an airport but for instance a 100 nm trip to somewhere. Second that I'm departing from an uncontrolled airport. Third since this is in a forum on LSA airplanes, that the aircraft is single engine.

My answer to satisfy the minimum cost aspect-- Give me my iPad and Foreflight ! That ought to stir up some responses.

On the digital vs. analog aspect, assuming they are equally accurate, It really doesn't matter. You shouldn't be flying with instrumentation you aren't comfortable using.

Now if your question is what would I select with 100 to 200 k$ to spend, we need to start another thread.

[3Dreaming]

To me it really depends on the airplane, the operating environment, the intended mission, and lastly personal preference.

[SportPilot]

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