Backcountry Pilot • 185 Instrument panel

185 Instrument panel

Have you modified your aircraft? STC? STOL Kit? Major rebuild from just a data plate?
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185 Instrument panel

I am going to start rounding up the components needed to remove all the mechanical gauges and vacuum system, and put in a G3X touch.

Does anyone know if a 185E and 185F share the same instrument panel? I have a cad drawing for a G3X panel for and F model, but mine is an E.

On the same note, does anyone have a drawing for an E with G3X touch?

The actual cutting of the panel is cheap, but designing one is spendy.\

Here's my current panel and a pic of the one I have the drawing for.
IMG_9554.jpg
IMG_4036.jpg
Ross4289 offline
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Re: 185 Instrument panel

E and early F model panels should be the same. In 1977, Cessna lowered the yokes to allow for the standard 6 pack configuration. Others have fit a G3X in your era of panel but it may require some cutting into the upper left corner of the structure. The 10" TXi is slightly smaller and fits without cutting if you put the left 40% centered over the yoke. Lots of pictures/stories in the Facebook group for reference. Good luck, you'll love it.
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Re: 185 Instrument panel

Thanks! The plane in the above picture with the G3X is a 1976.
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Re: 185 Instrument panel

Sent you a text.

MW
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Re: 185 Instrument panel

wagonflyer wrote: Lots of pictures/stories in the Facebook group for reference. Good luck, you'll love it.


Which is a shame. People love posting to FB for the likes but it’s the last place I’d go searching for references like this.
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Re: 185 Instrument panel

Zzz wrote:Which is a shame. People love posting to FB for the likes but it’s the last place I’d go searching for references like this.

They made the group FB site login required a year ago. I refuse to do the zuckerberg thing.
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Re: 185 Instrument panel

I believe they moved the yoke down from the E to the F, and looking at your 2 pictures I’d say that’s true. I’m a little partial to moving the radio stack over to center it up on the panel, but that’s a personal preference. I’m neck deep in instrument training and I’ve found having the 750 right next to G3X is pretty slick in terms of instrument scan. I like the moving maps up high in the panel, for both VFR AND IFR. Next favorite is the GFC 500 above the throttle, any time ATC issues heading and altitude assignments, I move the bugs on the G3X using the GFC 500 knobs, your hand barely has to move and it’s on target, does the task and is back on the throttle.

The eyeball vent below the G5 is hooked up directly to the fresh air/heat box, having warm or cold air blowing on your flying hand is pretty awesome.
IMG_8649.jpeg
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Re: 185 Instrument panel

That is an awesome setup!
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Re: 185 Instrument panel

That's a good looking panel!

MW
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Re: 185 Instrument panel

185er wrote:....The eyeball vent below the G5 is hooked up directly to the fresh air/heat box, having warm or cold air blowing on your flying hand is pretty awesome.


I just pictured flying a complicated approach with sweaty palms.,...yes, that's a handy location for that vent!
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Re: 185 Instrument panel

Zzz wrote:
wagonflyer wrote: Lots of pictures/stories in the Facebook group for reference. Good luck, you'll love it.


Which is a shame. People love posting to FB for the likes but it’s the last place I’d go searching for references like this.


I'm not a big facebook fan, but I disagree.
There's two 180/185 FB groups that I'm aware of,
and a lot of good info and plenty of skywagon experience gets posted there.
Pretty sure some folks I see here also show up there.
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