Can anyone give me an idea as to what I, as an owner, am allowed to do in moving instruments around the dash.

I don't much like the current layout and want to reposition some of the instruments, radio fit and transponder.

Do I have to route this through an approved avionics engineer, or am I allowed to do this myself? It is on private CofA

Hi,

You can certainly move instruments about and even completely redesign the panel on a PFA type if you want. However, you'd have to have a fixed radio installation signed off by an inspector. It would also be sensible to get him to check your panel and instrument plumbing ect at the same time. Be cautious on your first flight and expect some instruments to misread ... they shouldn't, but expect it anyway.

As for private C of A, I think you can? but under the supervision of your engineer/inspector. This may mean anything depending on trust levels between yourselves, as it's your neck and his licence!

SS

Hi Robin
To redesign a panel on an aircraft with a private cat CofA,

1. This is a modification and must be approved by the CAA before you undertake the job.

2. This mod also varies the panel from the flight manual.

3. Seek approval along with all the drawings of the panel before and after the Mod to your Licenced Eng.


Hope this answers your question.

Two links that might be helpful:

Experimental Panel Builder (http://epanelbuilder.com/) (free)

Panel Planer (http://www.panelplanner.com/) (you have to pay for this one, sorry)

Those kind of websites are way too simplistic. Realistically there are often obstructions, framework and even control pushrods in places behind the panel that preclude certain instruments from being in certain places ... It can be a long and complex job, though normally quite rewarding.


SS

I have no interest in either website, so bash them all you wish.

I was just trying to be helpful. :ouch:

No No ... don't get me wrong, not knocking the idea, just pointing out the limitations :p
SS

Amazingly you might be able to get away with a 'minor mod' if there is no diagram of the panel in the Flight Manual. No new page to raise = no major mod (or at least it used to be so).

In our case, well worth it but hugely involved and expensive. A job so large that you'll almost always overspend. Good luck.

Thanks guys - very helpful info