Sport Pilot Talk

Tecnam has announced a demo program for new aircraft on danjohnson.com. I am going to take them up on it and trade for a new P2008 so there will be one for sale shortly with approx 200hrs.

My question is if I should make any changes from my current panel.

I currently have a G3x two screen system with a GTX330 and SL40. All the engine guages are round dial and not in the G3X as I didnt want to give up any real estate ona the G3x and then have unused panel space.

I will get the SL30 nav/com this time as the weather is on the nav frequencies at several airports in our area. I know I can get it in text form on the G3X but i have found it sometimes does not get updated for a while and I like current weather.

any suggestions?

You're trading for a new p2008? What are you trading in, your p2008? What have they changed between yours and the new one?

A very wise choice, Jake. That's the radio I put in my SportStar. Not only is it convenient to be able to tune audio from the nav frequencies, it is still useful to have VOR/LOC/GS capability (especially if the GPS ever goes offline). If you have panel space, I'd also recommend a mechanical CDI (I rather like the Garmin MD-200-306 with its nice rectilinear display). Make sure the SL-30's resolver is wired to recognize the external OBS in the CDI. (Don't forget that you'll also have to get a horizontally polarized VHF nav dipole installed -- you might consider the Comant CI-158C2). And, despite the fancy electronic glass panel displays, I've always liked to have an old-fashioned inclinometer (ball) for backup. The Winter QM2 slip indicator is relatively cheap from Aircraft Spruce, and requires only a small rectangular cutout in the panel -- though you'll probably need a Letter of Authorization from Tecnam to install one.

_________________
The opinions expressed in this post are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the position of the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof. H. Paul Shuch, Ph.D., CFII, LSRM-A/GL/WS
AvSport of Lock Haven
http://AvSport.org fly@AvSport.org

Yes I am trading in my P2008. I dont believe there is any differences to the new one just newer. They have a demo discount program on now that makes the price attractive but I will get less for my plane also so its a wash.

Paul

Would I be able to use the CDI in the G3X and the mechanical one or how should this be installed?

Jake

The SL-30 can be wired to drive both a mechanical CDI and an electronic HSA on an EFIS screen. It's probably not a bad idea to hook it up to both, but I think you'll find you use mostly the old-school mechanical device. You do have to tell the SL-30 (in one of its setup menus) what kind of resolver to use for the OBS. I find it's a lot easier to turn a physical knob and spin the bezel to a desired radial (or to center a needle) than it is to punch buttons or soft-keys.

But, then again, I'm just an analog kind of guy...

_________________
The opinions expressed in this post are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the position of the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof. H. Paul Shuch, Ph.D., CFII, LSRM-A/GL/WS
AvSport of Lock Haven
http://AvSport.org fly@AvSport.org