Quadruple Redundant Aircraft Panel with “Fun Switch” - Unboxing & Install!

[@sirtraineewhat576]

that avionics shop was like a dirty adult film to me

[@dogbugler]

Yes indeed

[@MargaretLeber]

I feel you. Gods willing, we're about to launch a Dual GI275/GFC500 project in our club's Cardinal...it will make our GTN750 happy.

[@JustPlaneSilly]

Well hello Friend!

[@sirtraineewhat576]

@@JustPlaneSilly heavy breathing intensifies

[@derkiwi151]

We all need a friend like Dave in life

[@BenEater]

Cutting thousands of wires to the perfect length? Sign me up! But seriously, congrats. This looks amazing!

[@FlightChops]

Haha - I know right? That is such an art - I appreciate and respect what you guys do - but I don’t know if I’ll ever understand it :). (NOTE: I still intend to make a video with with our footage, it’s just been buried with all the current projects - but I’m seeing an evolving angle to leverage it to intercut the G1000 with where things are at now. Anyway - when this girl is flying, I’d love to have you take her for a ride with me.

Ben Eater home flight sim on bread boards next? Love the videos.

[@dabneyoffermein595]

And just think, God did that with all of our nerve endings.

[@KarlMathiasMoberg]

As a datacenter guy - that is one sexy-looking panel and cable setup!

[@nitehawk86]

As an astrophotographyer and a software engineer, same. Except that my skills at actually implementing beautiful cabling are nonexistant and all of my gear is a mess.

[@joelbosshoss9029]

The wife wires panels that are installed in the field. Amazing and beautiful. Definitely an art.

[@TrevorPilot9]

As an avionics tech, that was GORGEOUS!!! I know the pain the make a wire harness from scratch. That team made it look beautiful! Can only hope I can have a plane with that kind of setup one day

[@safetyinstructor]

This takes "Cable management is key" to another level I have to say

[@alexc30]

SteinAir - there is no substitute. They constructed my RV-14A panel, quite similar to yours, and did a bang-up job! Kudos to you and Stein!

[@FlightChops]

Awesome! Where are you based? Maybe we can do some RV-14ing together this year!

[@alexc30]

@@FlightChops I'm in Sanford, FL @KSFB - if you don't make it down here, I hope to fly up to the Windsor area sometime sooner than later!

[@IanDarley]

Can confirm, ex Audi tech here, used to spend a lot of days upside down with a brake pedal jammed in my ear., elbows deep in wires and occasionally dropping tools onto my face. Good times......

[@bj.roberts6410]

Wow that was so cool. It reminded me of the past when I was Test/repair at IBM in Don Mills Them cables were hand wound by ladies and they were so accurate and so cool to look at. It was wound in a wax type string liken to cat gut but these days ties traps much nicer. I can't wait until the next one. That panel looks so cool.

[@FlightChops]

It’s pretty amazing to see where this stuff is at!

[@michaeljacques7336]

I laughed out loud when the guy blurted out "NO! working on an Audi is way worse"! As long as building a kit plane is less frustrating than working on an Audi I think I can pull it off.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

i am so happy for you. great panel and it looks fun installing it....good fun..

[@Doc_Roe]

I Cannot wait to see your plane be completed, and to see your face on the first flight you take in it! Congratulations on everything Chops! you deserve it!

[@dogbugler]

Awesome, gents...looks like fun to put together and test. Thanks for the video. Shalom

[@jtharmon12]

I must confess to some serious panel envy! Thanks for letting us see the process. It is "magic" to most of us (myself included).

[@FlightChops]

Hopefully I can help demystify this stuff as I share the process of learning about it all.

[@GaryMCurran]

You're going to have a panel that most any GA pilot, except those who can purchase new, would be envious of (unless they build their own). That's really awesome stuff, Steve. I really like that you're getting far along into the build, despite what COVID has tried to do. If I ever get back into flying, and get my own airplane, I'll be sure to give Stein Air a call about designing a new panel for my airplane! :)

[@cageordie]

I've made aircraft wiring when I worked for UK MoD. It looks daunting, but this isn't bad. Some of the racks I made had over 1200 connections running out through cables that were sometimes around 50 contacts each. I made the cables too. You start at the middle and work out on the round connectors we used, and the worst thing is getting to #46 and finding it won't lock in. That's a big deal and a call to the Hellermann Deutsch rep. They came in too, and on one occasion helped remove all the installed pins and investigate why one failed. I don't like the D type connectors that are common in civil avionics. They have very poor retention features and no strain relief. But that's what you get in a $70,000 installation I guess.

[@billfarnham1592]

MAGNIFICENT! This is truly art! Will light up betterthan a Christmas tree!

[@1193lucas]

Your gonna like that GTN750. The touch screen is a little bit annoying when its bumpy but over all it's badass. Keep up the good work 👍

[@deanmiles3505]

Hi Steve, That is a work of art...it pays to have great friends with that type of expertise. Beautiful work. Take care, Be safe.

[@leeCann]

Getting really close now! EXCITING!

[@costasmichalopoulos3488]

Wow! What an amazing job! Congratulations!

[@VGreggUndercover]

Love this video! I’m an A&P working on a Dynon panel install and sharing that info about how they construct their wiring harness is priceless!!

[@adrenalinowner7992]

Wow that build has come a long way since the last video I watched Steve..

[@FlightChops]

Cool yeah - I've tried to make episodes covering the key milestones. If you've missed any, the whole playlist is here: kzbin.info/aero/PLJOPFT88qcBDwlx8qgKit2RoASZRZQMo-

[@adrenalinowner7992]

@@FlightChops thank you for the link

[@alessandrofigs1502]

Incredible man. Love the videos. From a fellow spectrum airways pilot!

[@Mrsournotes]

Beautiful work Flight Chops! That harness and panel looks just a little different than the ol’ 1966 C-150.

[@seagullsbtn]

Love your aircraft registration!!! LOL!

[@francisschweitzer8431]

Another great video from Steve. ❤️❤️ For your hard work❤️❤️

[@gmayuk]

I would frame the lid of the crate and mount it on the wall!

[@FlightChops]

doin' it!

[@ForFunFlyer]

It's 12:33am here, but I couldn't go to bed before I watched this video! 😉 What an awesome panel! 😳👌🏻

[@FlightChops]

Haha - sorry man. But yes - I am beyond stoked to fly behind that set up.

[@ForFunFlyer]

@@FlightChops I can imagine! This was worth missing some sleep for! 😉

[@GlenAndFriendsCooking]

Looking amazing!

[@brianburchart7592]

Awesome content! Incredible display of teamwork and professionalism ♥️🍁

[@bruschi8148]

Amazing cable management!!

[@koolav8r]

That's hilarious, Dave (at 6'5") says that he's in his element in a tight space with a tiny screwdriver attaching a multitude of tiny wires in a airplane he'll go fly! What a cool guy!

[@AllThingsAviation]

I love flying with the gtn750

[@FlightChops]

I can’t wait to learn it!

[@Heathfx5]

man, powering on that panel for the first time looked so satisfying!!! I'm helping my Dad decide on a new panel for his plane based around the G3X and GTN750xi, I can't wait to try it out! It'll be such a huge upgrade over the king HSI and jumbled mess it is right now. Probably only doing a single G3X on pilot side with 2 ram ball mounts and G5 on the copilot side (I wanted enough panel space to comfortably and securely attach a 10" iPad that will live in the plane. Then a mini to take home or use on my kneeboard). The autopilot and 750 will be the real stars of the show for IFR x/c trips.

[@lockedin60]

All those small connections and installation reminds me of installing SIMM modules on Desktop PC's back in the late 1980's and 1990's.

[@_Levi393]

It looks so amazing! I cant wait to see it fly! Ok keep up the great work!

[@FlightChops]

I also can't wait to see it fly :). and thanks!

[@_Levi393]

@@FlightChops :D

[@maillouski]

Wow, I would have been super comfortable doing this wiring job !

[@chuckmccollim]

Keep up the great work!

[@KerbalChris]

crate looks nice, laser engraved?

[@FlightChops]

I think so, yeah. Pretty dang cool

[@Mrcaffinebean]

Haha right? That plywood is worth more that some six packs! Beautiful well thought out packaging!

[@Igor-qt8jw]

Congratulations on the paniel, I am a avionics technician in brazil is very beautiful and well done wiring and installation

[@FlightChops]

Appreciated - thanks!

[@jackkrueger4150]

This is freaking cool.

[@kitfoxflyer1978]

Great looking panel Steve. Stein did a great job! So sad that even non-certified avionics cost $70k though!

[@FlightChops]

Wait until you see that capabilities of this thing. It's mind blowing. I'll be sharing a lot of content as I learn to fly with it.

[@shoop4040]

AMAZING-

[@williambutler2177]

Yeah Stein Air!!! :)

[@thomasaltruda]

What does that printing say on the right of the panel under the logo?

[@FlightChops]

We'll get into that in the future episodes where we address that stuff :)

[@MargaretLeber]

Dude!... I mean.... Steve! I've been flying behind a GTN750 for two years now. I'm your go-to girl for GTN av-geek questions. Even have one in X-Plane.

[@FlightChops]

Awesome - I will definitely take you up on that! And I hope to be getting all over the place with the plane to meet people like you that have been long time viewers / supporters :)

[@herbertolmo1052]

Dream crate indeed! Very nice design and build effort FC team. I like the analogy of the crate etch of the panel to a work of art. I get it. One suggestion from a human factors perspective: The big red ESP toggle switch is very near your PFD center of focus. Even subconsciously it will be drawing your eyes to it; like a squirrel moving in your peripheral vision as you walk along a path. In our distant ancestor days, it could have been a wolf. That is why we always look, and the brain is always scanning for threats. It is hard wired (see what I did there?). Please consider painting it a matte gray color so it doesn’t disappear, a couple of shades lighter than your panel. Then, paint a subtle metallic red stripe inside the switch so it is easy to recognize when the ESP is OFF. Similarly, I would rough up that shiny push button so that a glint of sunlight doesn’t catch your eye and cause you to look down when you’re on the back side of a loop (or...it’s just a DC on/off switch ... I challenge Stein.Air to source a replica switch from a Spitfire ... how cool would that be?) Just a suggestion.

[@ldnwholesale8552]

This is a very nice little aeroplane. And you have some very good guys helping you. Clearly they have thought long and hard to wire that panel. More so when everyone is at least semi custom. I have been quite good wiring racecars but doing all of this lets buy it already done. I might add I have an interest in aviation but flying,, I would not have the patience to learn all the the nitty gritty. And the expenses are beyond me as well Having watched several of these clips I thought it looked good polished, but having seen the others in paint they look so smart.

[@goatflieg]

Watching this, and remembering wire routing for my much simpler panel, made be actually glad I'm only doing fuselage masking right now. I hate tape. Did I ever tell you I hate tape? Yep... I hate tape, all right...

[@Mrcaffinebean]

That is one GORGEOUS panel, and the redundancy is very impressive. They did a beautiful job wiring but I would be remiss if I didn’t say I was really hoping to see you all wire it yourself because it’s something a lot of people hire out and it’s a little bit of a black art. That being say there is no way you would have made Osh if you had to wire it yourself lol

[@FlightChops]

I don’t know if I’d have made my 12 year old daughter’s high school graduation if I wired it myself :P. But in all seriousness, a lot of people can get that done, and I think Dave is secretly disappointed that we didn’t attempt to do it ourselves - but yeah, we were trying for a 2 year time line in this build.

[@antr7493]

Any DA62 flights in your future?

[@FlightChops]

Actually, yes - finally working toward something pretty epic with Diamond - the Pandemic had paused a lot of things, but we're getting back on track. Instagram will be the place to see real time stuff before it makes it to KZbin later in the summer.

[@antr7493]

@@FlightChops Very cool. Can't wait

[@wingleberry1]

great video.

[@AlexFeldstein]

Very interesting video.

[@FlightChops]

Glad you enjoyed it Alex.

[@jupiteronkauai]

Just wow.

[@rocketplane]

No wonder the panel costs that much! I don't know how much just the electronics cost, but there's got to be at least 100 hours of highly specialized labor in that wiring loom alone!

C-FlightChopsGeneralAviation, what better registration could you get?

[@FlightChops]

Yeah, I was happy with that one

[@timdouglas2011]

That amount of cables makes me queezy...SO COMPLEX! But nice management :P

[@clinty51]

C-FCGA....is that Canada - Flight Chops General Aviation

[@thehoeser]

That's actually exactly what it is.

[@FlightChops]

Dave beat me to it, but yup - short of getting C-HOPS (C has to be first and H as a second letter is not an option), I thought FCGA was a pretty good fit :)

[@clinty51]

@@FlightChops That’s awesome 🤩

[@josephsener420]

This looks soooo cool. I look forward to seeing you at Oshkosh. How do we meet up with you there?

[@FlightChops]

As it gets closer, I'll communicate what we'll be doing there (which is still a bit nebulous regarding the who situation. But assuming the plane makes it, the Garmin booth is going to be a bit of a home base)

[@dmc2554]

That money looks great!! How did you pull that off??

[@michaelkacmarynski1706]

Steve, what are the chances I can get you to choose GRB (about 35nm NE of OSH) as a stop on the way in for the show? We have customs on the field. The FBO I work at has hangar space for DAYS and I know there’s more than a few fans in the area that would love to see you stop through.

[@FlightChops]

Hey thanks for the offer. If time and schedule works I'd love to visit on the way there. (I will be coming from the south most likely, but if I'm a day early and the Wx looks good the following day, I can take a detour. I have to be there on the Thursday I think, in order to get the plane to the Garmin booth before the grounds open... That's the challenge.

[@michaelkacmarynski1706]

@@FlightChops we’d love to have you. Keep GRB in mind and I’ll shoot you a message as the week gets closer to check in.

[@EJWash57]

VERY impressive panel! Seems that you skimped on the cappuccino maker option, though. I mean, you are driving two alternators. So, question (of course!). Will you be using ForeFlight? If so, did you consider forgoing the right side GX3, and install an iPad mount in that panel area? I'm wondering if the right side GX3 will be idle most of the time? BTW, My wife and I just submitted our order for an RV-14 (tailwheel) empennage kit. Uh-oh! We wanted to get in before the Air Adventure order rush!

[@hawkdsl]

Who can take a sunrise.. Sprinkle it with dew... Cover it with chocolate and a miracle or two? The Avionics Candy Man.. The avionics Candy Man can!

[@ryanshapero2631]

I never really thought about what was behind that big g1000 I stare at.

[@robgreene1776]

Cool !

[@JoseRivera-lt2cc]

Definitely a high-end panel price. What would have been the install costs had it not been for the gracious & generous sweat equity crew?

[@FlightChops]

If I were to condense it down to the hours spend working on just the panel instal, I'd say it took our team several full time days; but some one that does this all the time could have probably done it 2 or 3X faster.

[@edcew8236]

what was the problem that the autopilot controller couldn't go on top of the stack?

[@FlightChops]

I think it was the GTN750 being too deep at the bottom and interfering with sub panel structure, so it had to be moved up to the top, and thus the autopilot controller had to go below.

[@10lauset]

Cheers

[@flexplexico480]

Steve - how do you manage to fund all this?

[@FlightChops]

This whole project (Flight Chops over all, as well as the RV-14 we're building / filming) exists because viewers like you have supported what we've been doing over the years, publishing 200+ episodes. The industry has been paying attention, and it's pretty amazing to be able to work with companies like Garmin, Van's Aircraft and others that have decided to be a part of the content creation.

[@flexplexico480]

@@FlightChops thanks for the response - definitely a dream :) cheers from Hamilton - did my training in the flightchops 172 (C-GPJK).

[@SLC1995]

That is definitely a pretty panel! Does SteinAir give you guys crimp tools too?

[@CrystalCanyon100]

How did you get the canopy jettison way over to the left.

[@FlightChops]

I’ll address that in some more detail in an upcoming episode. But the short answer is that it is now an off the shelf option at Van’s :)

[@CrystalCanyon100]

@@FlightChops Sorry to bug you. But timing is tight I’m about to get my panel in next 4 weeks. I have handle in the stock location center of panel. But it’s a bit crowded there. I have room over on the left and would love to move it there. Are you saying there is a new accessory or kit to move it over there or are you fabricating something yourself? Beautiful panel by the way.

[@FlightChops]

Oh - if it is time sensitive, yeah I can help you out ASAP. Email if you need further details of what we did (flightchops at gmail dot com), but if you contact Van's I believe it is now an off the shelf option that they have figured out with a new longer cable and handle, as well as the required brackets (although depending on your specific set up, you may need to do some minor fabrication.)

[@CrystalCanyon100]

@@FlightChops awesome thanks. I will give them a a call.

[@hyperiondan]

Reminds me a lot of building my Hornet sim.. but with real world consequences and tolerances. If you are ever interested in checking out a 1:1 hornet sim in Windsor, hit me up.

[@FlightChops]

That’s awesome! Please email to discuss further - maybe later in the summer or fall I can check it out. Flightchops at gmail dot com

[@MalteJanduda]

Why do you have the ignition fuses on the main panel and the rest of the fuses on this smaller panel? Also 10A IGN LEFT and 3A IGN RIGHT?

[@FlightChops]

We figured the ignition breakers deserved their own front and center spot. The reason they are not the same is because left is a Lycoming EIS, and Right is a P-Mag.

[@Mrcaffinebean]

Omg, I had a B5 A4 and that little 4cyl was tight. I never understood how they fit the v8 in there.

[@thehoeser]

It was a 2.7L twin turbo V6 but yes, its TIGHT.

[@Mrcaffinebean]

@@thehoeser my dad had an A6 with the 2.7 turbo. So I know that struggle well also lol

[@clarencewiles963]

What did you do with that leftover wire from the panel install ?

[@FlightChops]

We recycled some immediately and have much of the rest saved I think.

[@johncarr123]

What program did you use to create the panel design?

[@FlightChops]

That was done in house by SteinAir - I am not sure what they use.

[@tscottme]

Which display in the aircraft shows KZbin comments?

[@FlightChops]

All of 'em? :)

[@georgehollis9533]

RV Yoga!

[@RonMarish]

How did they wire the ESP kill switch? Cant find that in the manual. If I had to guess I would say it just shorts out the AP Disc but that seems like a pretty poor way to do it...

[@FlightChops]

ESP is an independent system (my understanding is that when it is engaged, it works even with the AP off). I will address how our hard wired switch works in a future episode when we demonstrate it

[@RonMarish]

@@FlightChops I work at a garmin dealer and have put in a ton of certified units, never have seen that option though. Would love to know how for my own plane, as that switch would be very convenient. See you at Oshkosh!

[@thehoeser]

It's wired to a discrete input that is assigned to the ESP disable function in software.

[@tripjj8662]

pretty sure that when setting configs to certified on the G3x it negates that feature

[@dabneyoffermein595]

How much $ and what brand was that 120TB NAS, it looks fantastic? How many total drives and what RAID Level ? I assume it's connected up via iSCSI ? (Sorry for so many questions)

[@FlightChops]

This one shares a lot of the details about the NAS: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2OZlYClYrSantEsi=W1uP4OVrQLOlTfGu

[@dabneyoffermein595]

@@FlightChops That is very kind of you to reply, that's great stuff, perfect for what I was looking for....Noob heaven

[@1hornet1]

Say Steve, what is the deal with the "fun" switch? You have a video on it? Or what ever this system is that it disables? I feel like I am missing something. lol

[@FlightChops]

Yes, I will be sharing more detail about that soon - currently editing the content related to the initial aerobatic flying in the RV-14 :) But the quick answer is that it inhibits "ESP" (Electronic Stability and Protection) - this can also be done with a few clicks via the panel menu, but it's more fun with a dedicated hard switch :)

[@1hornet1]

@@FlightChops Thanks bud. I didn't even know RVs had something like that. I am just excited about putting the switch on my panel that says "Chemtrail - on/off" for my smoke system. LOL

[@FlightChops]

@@1hornet1 That's awesome! I'm actually about to upgrade the exhaust so maybe I should look at doing a smoke system. (Can you email me about what you're doing there? Flightchops at gmail dot com) And to be clear - ESP is a Garmin thing, not an RV thing specifically.

[@pwr2al4]

I always knew I liked FlightChops but when I noticed he drove a stick shift for his daily driver it removed all doubt.

[@FlightChops]

Hahah - awesome. And damn right :). As long as my left knee and ankle works, Imma be driving stick.

[@RobMcGinley81]

Is this a Certified set-up? Hope so as it costs 2/3 as much alone as my new Aeroprakt A32!

[@FlightChops]

I believe the only non-cert / experimental components there are the G3X touch screens. (but as far as I understand it, there is no fundamental difference between the certified and experimental G3X touch system.)

[@MJTAUTOMOTIVE]

Why isn't canbus used for all the switch gear and panels?

[@billbrisson]

C-FCGA.... my Luscombe is C-FGCA... caused me to do a double take! :)

[@Repuestosgigante]

C-FCGA is a Robinson R44

[@billbrisson]

@@Repuestosgigante I'm guessing it's not anymore... look at the panel

[@francisschweitzer8431]

OMG..... IM DROOLING HERE.

[@zacharynorman397]

Clearly I missed this at the beginning of the build, but who are all these people helping him build this plane? Does he pay them??

[@FlightChops]

(*whispering* Psssst... He's standing right behind you :) Here's the link to the playlist that explains everything. kzbin.info/aero/PLJOPFT88qcBDwlx8qgKit2RoASZRZQMo-

[@zacharynorman397]

@@FlightChops standing behind me??!! Ahhhh

[@zacharynorman397]

@@FlightChops watched first 3 episodes, but still unclear. Did you hire these people, or are they donating 2 years of their time??

[@FlightChops]

They are donating their time, and I am donating to the museum "to pay for it" - we are all crew members at the museum, and this is a co operative project to be built there as a living exhibit. The airplane will then be a part of the fleet as a camera ship for formation flying with the warbirds, and/or a support plane when the warbirds travel, and for "yellow bird" pilots (such as team lead Perry, and technical lead Dave) to qualify to fly it when I don't need it for business trips. Did you ever complete your instrument training? I believe you were commenting during the IFR states vlog that we were in the same spot preparing for the written test.

[@zacharynorman397]

@@FlightChops thank you so much for the info! Very cool too! And wow, I am honored you remember me! Yes, I did indeed complete my instrument rating back in July of last year! What a journey. I remember seeing your video of when you passed too (I think was not but a few months before that) and I was like "ok Steve, my turn"). I did a lot of practice approaches into KHAF (which you flew with Jason from TFP) leading up to the checkride. Thanks so much for remembering me Steve 😄

[@Doc_Roe]

When in doubt add more redundancy

[@Peel123]

WANT!!

[@AllenPortman]

I like the legacy equipment because the common working person cannot afford anything glass!

[@Adriano_leal]

And I thought cable managing my pc was hard

[@FlightChops]

Totally. This was a heck of an experience - Really cool to learn how it works

[@EarthAmbassador]

Quaaaaaaad

[@computerdl]

I find it entirely unsurprising that you drive stick. Is it for the same reason why you opted to learn IFR in a 6-pack? More of knowing exactly what goes on behind the scenes?

[@FlightChops]

That sounds about right :). I’ve always driven stick :)

[@peteranderson037]

I find it funny that the most voluminous portion of the airplane, the airframe itself, is going to be the cheapest thing on this build.

[@FlightChops]

That fact is not lost on me either :) But Van’s makes a hell of a platform!

[@jeffreygoyer7760]

Awesome, but for 67k and everything sticks out of the panel ( not flush mount) is disappointing.

[@Doc_Roe]

I would love to be a fly on the wall in that hangar!, or i guess i could say a fly on the plane so i could see better hahah

[@PatrickJWenzel]

Queue Randy Marsh "Urrrhgghhhh. Urrrrggghhhhhhhh!". We have deliverance (And I have my answer). Thank you.

[@ArjotGill]

Aviation industry is expensive