Dog is my Copilot wrote:I went full glass almost 2 years ago and have zero regrets. Of course it wasn't cheap but I hope to fly the Skywagon the rest of my life. God willing! I have no analog instruments in the airplane now. I shed 50 lbs of weight going with this panel because the new stuff is super lightweight. I have a GFC 500 AP - not seen on the photo on the lower panel. It drastically reduces the workload flying - including in VFR conditions. There might be something said to becoming too reliant on the AP for flying. I still love hand flying approaches but it is wonderful having an AP with altitude preselect and GP/Vnav. The GFC flies GPS/ILS/LOC and VOR approaches flawlessly. It still requires one to stay proficient both hand flown and with the buttonology. I am lucky to live in the Pacific Northwest. I get plenty of opportunities to get IMC but also understand the limitations due to icing. I enjoy giving IFR instruction - it helps with my own proficiency. The recent C340 accident in San Diego shows the importance of staying on your game with the IFR proficiency/training. There is a great thread on BT right now discussing it. Many things to be learned from this accident.





Josh

Dog is my Copilot wrote:Hank,

I wanted the PFD screen to be centered over the yoke. The only way to do that was to go with a smaller screen. Instead of a G3X 10 inch - I went with a 7 inch landscape TXi 500. I would have had to change the yokes to center the bigger G3X screen. The panel has a simplified look for a modern panel which was the look I wanted. I have a GTN 650xi and a back up GNC 355 (Com/GPS unit). The ADS-B is an internal 345R that works off the 650. I love the visibility of the early 180 but the disadvantage is having to work with the T yokes and limited space on the panel.



Josh