Zulu Alpha - I'm planning on building an RV7 funnily enough. How do you find panel space with all the kit in place?? You wouldnt happen to have a pic of your panel would you??
Its not my RV8 but I will take a photo next time I'm there. Panel space seems OK, it has two Grand Rapids EFIS screens, an EIS (required ) a Garmin 430 and a steam horizon and Becker radio as backup plus a few other bits I think.
One EFIS screen is in the centre and one to the right. The LAA require one screen to be set to the mandatory instruments so the right screen is used for them and all the engine, fuel etc. The centre screen is used as the artificial horizon with airspeed and altitude etc and can also be the GPS nav and terrain screen. Both screens could be used for any function though.
If we use the screens for an hour or so on the ground with no ground power then the starter motor is very slow, so they do drain quite a bit ( we also need the EIS and Garmin on for the whole system to work). In addition they reset when the starter is engaged. Not sure this is a problem, but thought I'd mention it.
It has the capability to interface to an autopilot and we are now working on this, but have one or two other things to sort out in the aircraft first, it has only done 40 hrs so far.
ZA