Has anybody flown with one of these?

 Paul Lamar


 I Paul, glad to see you researching alternatives.  I think you are
 re-catching the flying bug.

 I want to remind you about some of the extra work if you decide to
 change out that circular hole for use as a T&B rather than the microair
 tranciever that used to be here.  First there is the issue of making the
 hole larger, which is not to bad if you have a cutter, but a real pain
 otherwise. then the old screw holes are bound to give you trouble, not
 to mention possible interference with other items behind the panel.

 More significantly, you would have to end up completely re-wiring the
 comm radio.  If your replacement radio does not have a built-in
 intercom, then you would have to buy an intercom and mount and re-wire
 that as well.

 Thinking back, I now recall that mike was pretty sold on day VFR flying
 only, which is why he did not install the T&B or lights.  I agree with
 you that a T&B is really an essential item and lights REALLY expand the
 usefulness of the aircraft, even if you don't plan on a lot of night
 flying.

 That being said, the Comm radio is essential before first flight, while
 T&B can be added at any time.  Think how much easier it would be to just
 plug in a radio and intercom rather than re-wire the whole thing.  And
 don't even think about using a hand-held.  It is too cumbersome to
 change frequencies to use in a fast aircraft like an RV, not to mention
 poor reception and transmission qualities.

 Anyway, just my two cents.
 --
 David Leonard

 Turbo Rotary RV-6 N4VY
 http://N4VY.RotaryRoster.net
 http://RotaryRoster.net

 You have some good points. I tested that loose Turn & Bank that came
 with Mike's RV4 and it did not work, I don't know why but it could
 be 28 volts.
 I had only a 12 volt supply to test it with. I opened it up and it looks
 OK. The motor brushes were in good shape. Klaus came over and looked
 at the panel and he saw what he calls a turn coordinator. It was mounted
 in the opening to the right of where the round radio was. He claims
 this is not the same as a turn and bank AKA needle and ball. He
 claims it is near worthless.
 He looked at the spare turn and bank AKA needle and ball and said
 that was the one to use. He told me German pilots are trained to fly
 IFR on needle, ball and airspeed. There is not a lot of panel space
 to work with. I'll know more after I get to work with what is there.
 Your points on the portable radio are well
 taken.


 I sure wish it had an attitude indicator or artificial horizon  as I
 feel that is a good saftey device. You never know when you might run
 into limited visibility. I have had that happen a lot in Alaska.

 The new solid state artificial horizons look promising. Especially
 if they
 take in compass, airspeed and rate of climb data. The sensors for
 airspeed
 and rate of climb are super cheap at around $10 each. I am almost
 tempted
 to build my own as solid state rate gyros are used in toy
 helicopters children
 can learn to fly.
 I could do a desertion on the difference between a rate gyro and
 an attitude gyro but that is a story for another message.

 Paul Lamar


I think that Klaus is mistaken.  That instrument you have is a turn and
bank just like a needle and ball, only the representation is much more
intuitive.  You are right that a horizon would be better, but at least
you have a nice big spot on your panel to put one if you don't get one of
those solid state things.

One popular with the RV group is this attitude gyro from true track that
also includes a digital heading gyro.  It is very nicely priced compared
to other electric gyros, especially since it is basically 2 gyros in
one.  People who have them say they work very well.

http://www.trutrakflightsystems.com/products/ADI.html

Or, you can get an autopilot built into the same instrument if you want.