Hey guys,

I’m installing a 2nd G5 and a new engine monitor this winter (replacing the EDM 700) and I’m stuck going back and forth on panel layout. Looking for some opinions.

My current 6 pack is shifted left of center, i.e. the AI and HSI sit one spot left of where they’d be on most modern panels. The EDM 700 is in one of the old nav instrument holes. Photo attached.

Based purely on scan and ergonomics, would you:

A. Shift the 6 pack so it’s centered over the yoke and put the engine monitor right of the radio stack, or
B. Leave the 6 pack where it is and put the engine monitor right of the 6 pack, above where the EDM 700 is now?

Thoughts?

I would do option A. I did most of my training on standard steam 6 pack however. I dont see a compelling reason to shift your scan left just to have the monitor to the left of the radios. I like consolidating the engine instruments to the right of the radios.


I have a C205 so not even a true 6 pack. When it delete the vacuum system I am going to be laying it out like option A. Which engine monitor are you going with?

My vote is to put the new engine monitor to the left of the radios. That's where mine is now, and I intentionally moved it there from its former place in Siberia on the right side of the engine instruments. The reason is that I don't have a "both" position for the fuel selector in my 206 (1975 F model), so tracking fuel consumption and changing tanks on the mark is critical. I find it easier to keep track with the EDM830 right in front of me. It also makes going to lean of peak easier. The co-pilot position can still see it just fine, which is good for double-checking the tank changes.

My $.02

Terry

Not being IFR current for over 25 yrs, my engine monitor is my primary display and I like it in "plane" sight. Our CGR 30 in the Husky is directly in front (couldn't get very far away) and the T206H MVP 50 in the G500 panel is on the right side; which, I don't particularly like but deal with it.

Option B. The engine monitor in the most prominent position is smart. The 6 pack offset from the yoke is no problem whatsoever, your brain doesn’t even realize it once your scan is working. When I was doing my 185s panel, I tried hard to squeeze the AI and DG perfectly centered over the yoke but it just didn’t work so I offset them to the left like yours. With disappointment in my mind, I went to work only to realize that the airplane that I had over 10,000 hours in was offset to the left as well. I don’t think I ever really knew that, because it just doesn’t matter. I chose to upgrade my edm 700 to edm 830 for around $2000. Has almost everything the certified one has, I love it.

B. If it works, why change it?
FWIW I moved the tach & mp gauge in my 180 to left of the "radio stack" (in my case, a tablet with GPS app).

I'm planning on adding digital oil temp/pressure & CHT gauges, they will go left of the flight instruments.
That way everything is an easy scan.

Updated our 1970 185 a couple of years ago,not much different than old gauges,just new stuff.
Next might be engine & fuel monitors but for now engine scanner is top centre above the G5.
This setup has worked well for me in both ifr & vfr flights.
Top right pilot’s side hole is empty as that’s where the Amphibs gear selector is planned to go someday.

Daryl

My 182 a few years back. Maybe it might help. I really liked the EDM 930 at the top of center stack. Right where my eyes are on departure.